Payroll Specialist

Mesa County • Grand Junction, CO • 1d ago

Under the supervision of the Payroll Manager, in a supportive role to the Senior Payroll Specialist, Support end-to-end payroll processes for monthly and supplemental payrolls, from initial time review through final posting to the general ledger and disbursement. Ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery while promoting continuous improvement. Conduct all tasks, communications, and duties with the highest standards of confidentiality and integrity.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

(The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. Mesa County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)

Payroll Processing

Review timekeeping data, calculate pay, deductions, retroactive adjustments, garnishments, levies, and final checks in accordance with State and Federal guidelines.

Prepare and process direct deposit records, withholding and benefit payments, supplemental checks, merit payments, and other payroll transactions.

Assist with annual W-2 preparation and respond to related inquiries.

System Configuration & Testing

Configure ERP functional areas related to Absence, Payroll, and Time Tracking.

Build, test, and implement new system components and software enhancements in coordination with the software team.

Reconciliation & Reporting

Post payroll to G/L and reconcile payroll banking accounts with Treasurer/Finance; troubleshoot banking issues.

Reconcile and ensure timely disbursement of withholding, benefit, and tax payments to third parties and government agencies.

Assist in preparation and verification of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports (including 941, unemployment, W-2 reconciliation) for Mesa County and the District Attorney tax entities.

Create and submit required external reports (BLS, CDLE, US Census Bureau) and maintain YTD gross-to-net spreadsheets to ensure 941 alignment.

Perform bank reconciliation for the payroll banking account. Troubleshoot banking questions and issues.

Audits, Compliance & Controls

Prepare and execute internal audits to verify policy compliance and accurate system processes.

Maintain knowledge of payroll laws and regulations; interpret and communicate county policy, legal requirements and IRS communications to employees.

Ensure garnishment, levy, and taxable wage base calculations meet legal requirements.

Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement

Troubleshoot, clean, and analyze payroll, absence, and time-tracking data; identify trends and present findings to management.

Propose and implement process, policy, and procedural improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy.

Customer Service & Collaboration

Develop positive working relationships with HR, finance, vendors, and other departments; provide training and assistance as needed.

Respond to employment verifications, vendor inquiries, and public or employee payroll questions with tact and discretion.

Special Projects & Other Duties

Assist Senior Payroll Specialist and Payroll Manager with special projects, retirement allocations, surveys of peer counties, and other duties as assigned.

Adhere to confidentiality agreement and maintain high standards of integrity.

Unique Challenges of Local Government Payroll

Complex Deductions & Benefits: Processing for police/fire/State Employee retirement systems, which are often separate from Social Security.

Union & Contractual Rules: Pay calculations are often governed by detailed, rigid Collective Bargaining Agreements that mandate specific accrual rates, differential pay, and step increases.

Public Accountability: Payroll records are subject to public disclosure laws, requiring meticulous accuracy and transparency.

Funding & Budgeting: Payroll operations must align with government fiscal calendars and budgetary constraints.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

This position requires standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 25 pounds. Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act the following items can be used as a determining factor in the starting and ongoing wage of an employee working in this position:

A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment.

A merit system that rewards employees for exceptional job performance.

Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to the work in question.

This position is eligible for the Mesa County benefit package which includes the following:

Medical

Paid Sick Leave

Life

insurance

Vision

Long term

disability

Dental

Retirement

Paid Vacation Leave

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