Assistant Manager - Engineering Manpower Resources - Payroll
Job ID: 13881
Business Unit: Long Island Rail Road
Location: Jamaica, NY, United States
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Department: Asst. CO Planning&Oper Support
Date Posted: Dec 4, 2025
Description
Job Title: Assistant Manager - Engineering Manpower Resources - Payroll
Department: Engineering
MTA Agency: LIRR
Primary Location(s): Queens, NY
Salary Range/Additional Compensation Details: $90,908 - $136,362
Regulated/ Safety Sensitive: N/A
Union Affiliation: MPA
Closing Date (if applicable): Open Until Filled
Shift (if applicable): Regular
Other:
About your agency:
Chartered in 1834, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the largest, busiest, and oldest continuously operating commuter railroad in the United States. In 2024, this 24/7/365 operation served 75.5 million riders on a system that stretches nearly 120 miles - from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in Manhattan to Montauk on the eastern tip of Long Island.
JOB SUMMARY :
Responsible for assisting with the managing, coordinating, administering, and planning of the payroll functions of the Engineering Department for both Division 1 and Division 5 payroll/employees. This position acts as back-up for reviewing, adjusting, and approving employees' timecards in CTAMS. Assists in ensuring the consistency of payroll-related administrative processes including those related to leaves, accrued time, and the handling of pay rules, reports, and queries in the payroll/time and attendance system. Responsible for providing input into internal departmental policy and procedural manuals related to payroll to ensure consistency among the various disciplines. Ensure proper application of collective bargaining agreements (CBA), implement changes for new contractual agreements, and provide guidance to Engineering operational departments and senior management to ensure compliance with payroll-related processes and procedures. This position directs and manages the day-to-day activities of the Resource Analysts and Payroll Specialists and ensures that payroll is processed on a weekly basis.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
Coordinate requests for and create/distribute biometric reports to Engineering managers. Maintain distribution lists based on promotions and transfers/awards.
Oversee processing of weekly Divisions 1 and 5 (CTAMS) payrolls.
Review all division 1 timecards in CTAMS to ensure that hours, pay rules, and calculations are correct. Review all entry in CTAMS for division 5 employees to verify attendance/pay is correct. Process pay adjustments for both divisions.
Direct administrative staff in department disciplines on application of union rules, CTAMS functions, and related departmental procedures.
Process, print, and verify all payroll reports and notate reports for distribution to the relative internal departments and external departments (HR, Payroll, etc.).
Review and prepare all payroll adjustments and reversals. Investigate and research all discrepancies and recommend appropriate payment/adjustment.
Review PAR submission spreadsheets for accuracy and submit changes through PeopleSoft.
Assist in managing the daily activities of staff with respect to payroll and administrative functions. Assist in evaluating current administrative processes within the department to ensure consistency amongst all Engineering disciplines and make recommendations to streamline processes to be more efficient.
Manage the payroll staff to ensure high level of production/performance to meet department goals. Manage and motivate staff. Approve and coordinate all time off and direct staff under all circumstances to ensure deadlines are met. Approve and coordinate all time off and direct staff under all circumstances to ensure deadlines are met.
Develop and maintain an Engineering administrative and labor distribution procedural manual to develop consistent standards among the various disciplines.
Identify, analyze, and recommend viable solutions to payroll system problems.
Interface with the Engineering disciplines concerning the CTAMS payroll systems for Divisions 1 and 5 payrolls and establish working relationships with all disciplines.
Liaison with Payroll & Information Technology in the maintenance of CTAMS by communicating all necessary changes that affects the weekly/annual payroll by interpreting contractual changes and requesting addition of new rules/shifts that will affect payment to all division 1 and 5 employees. Evaluate and approve access to the system and determine the security access level for users.
Ensure all annual accruals (vacation, sick, personal days) are accurate and being charged correctly in the CTAMs system and coordinate with Human Resources to reconcile any discrepancies. Ensure accruals for (Military & FMLA) time are set-up and being charged correctly. Send weekly communication to Corporate Payroll for their final review of represented and non-represented payroll. Manage the LIRR Military Leave Policy and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) within the Engineering Department. Ensure that employees are properly paid for related absences.
Serve as coordinator and trainer for CTAMS.
Select, develop and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline of employees under supervision.
Promote safe work practices and provide safe working conditions. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential. Review direct reports and approve performance appraisals.
Oversight and management of personnel changes. Ensure timely updating of PARs for wage progression, status changes, terminations and retirements. Assist in managing and tracking short-term/long-term disabled Engineering employees ensuring all required paperwork is completed in a timely manner and all status change information is accurately maintained in database/spreadsheet. Provide guidance to administration staff in department disciplines regarding LIRR policy and Engineering Department procedure on status changes.
Ensure that employees requesting/approved for leaves under these policies meet all requirements and provide appropriate documentation.
Maintain employee files and database/spreadsheet and ensure all required paperwork and information is obtained and distributed to necessary departments.
Provide guidance to administration staff in department disciplines regarding all leaves of absence.
Assist in managing vacation, personal and sick leave accruals for all Engineering employees.
Oversight of daily validation of all SLA-28 forms received and input in Department spreadsheet. Spreadsheet used to verify that an SLA-28 was submitted prior to processing the No Forms Submitted (NFS) adjustment. Process the weekly NFS adjustments in CTAMS relative to designating points for the Absence Control Process.
Perform other assignments as requested by Senior Management.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :
Must possess a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related business/financial field. An additional four years of demonstrated, directly related, equivalent experience and education may be considered in lieu of the degree.
Must possess a minimum of four years of related administrative/payroll experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Must possess working knowledge of labor/payroll distribution systems (ex., Kronos/CTAMS or related system).
Must possess supervisory experience, preferably with a clerical/office administration staff.
Must possess strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills.
Must possess strong and effective communication and interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
Must have the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and establish priorities to meet deadlines.
Must possess demonstrated ability to develop and implement administrative procedures and processes.
Must possess experience with and/or understanding of collective bargaining agreements.
Must possess strong computer skills, with working knowledge of various software packages (i.e., Word, Excel, and Outlook).
Must possess a strong work ethic, demonstrated professionalism, and a high degree of integrity, as well as a strong awareness of confidentiality.
Must be a self-motivated individual with the ability to motivate and influence others in a positive and productive manner to meet departmental/corporate goals.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :
Experience in an LIRR operating department.
Strong knowledge of LIRR divisional operations and corporate policies and procedures.
BENEFITS:
Commuting Assistance - based on operating MTA agency (complimentary transportation pass within the MTA's jurisdiction and tax-advantaged accounts)
Low Premium - High Quality Health Insurance Plans (lifetime coverage for eligible retirees and their dependents)
Pension plans and retirement savings accounts for eligible employees
Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays provided.
Tuition Reimbursement for eligible employees
Employee Assistance Programs
MTA Exclusive Employee Discount Programs
Work Life Services team and Office of the Chaplains unit
Employee Resource Groups
Layout 1 (mta.info) (https://new.mta.info/document/4631)
OTHER INFORMATION:
Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").
Actual salary offers may vary based on individual work experience. The annual salary range is subject to change and may be modified at the company's discretion.
Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.
Current employees must be in their current position for the 12 months immediately preceding the close date of this posting and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record.
Candidates selected for this position may be placed in a competitive or non-competitive class position based on their qualifications. Qualified candidates who are placed in a competitive class position are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter and in the upper right corner of your resume that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a Program. For detailed information regarding the 55-a Program, please visit the following link https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dcas/employment/55-a-program.page
LIRR:
In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of the position, the selection process may include but is not limited to, a pre-screening assessment (i.e., physical, written, and/ or practical evaluation) and interview. Candidates forfeit further consideration in the process if they fail to participate in any step of the process when scheduled. Make-up dates/times will not be given. In addition, LIRR employee applicants must be in their current position for the 12 months immediately preceding the close date of this posting and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record. A record of more than ten sick days without medical documentation in two of the last three years is considered unsatisfactory attendance. Not all qualified applicants are guaranteed an interview due to the competitive selection process. A medical examination and safety-sensitive drug/alcohol test may also be required.
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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER:
MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.
The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.
If you require reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.
