Human Resources Payroll Specialist

City of Lynchburg; Lynchburg (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lynchburg is seeking a Human Resources Payroll Specialist to perform specialized payroll work for City employees. You will process and verify payroll data, reconcile discrepancies, and maintain documentation in collaboration with HR, Finance, and departmental staff.

Responsibilities include auditing payroll, handling deductions, and supporting year-end processes while protecting confidential information. Prior experience with HRIS and payroll systems is preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in a related field and payroll processing experience.
• Experience with automated payroll or HRIS preferred.
• Attention to detail and strong analytical abilities; equivalent combos may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Process and verify payroll transactions on schedule in compliance with policies and law.
• Review data for exempt/non-exempt staff, overtime, and complex schedules.
• Identify and correct timekeeping and payroll discrepancies with departments.
• Conduct payroll audits, reconciliations, and reporting; coordinate corrections.
• Prepare pay actions, deductions, and updates in the HRIS or payroll system.
• Respond to employee questions and ensure accurate payroll documentation.

Skills

Payroll processing

Timekeeping

Analytical skills

HRIS familiarity

Education

Associate degree in HR/Payroll/Accounting/Business Admin

Tools

HRIS systems

Job description

The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Lynchburg is seeking a Human Resources Payroll Specialistto perform specialized technical work to support accurate and timely payroll for City employees. Reviews and processes payroll and timekeeping transactions, researches discrepancies, maintains payroll documentation, and assists employees and departmental payroll representatives. Works closely with the HR Systems Specialist, HR Benefits Team, Finance, and departmental payroll clerks to ensure approved workforce changes are reflected correctly in payroll.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Processes and verifies organization-wide payroll transactions accurately and according to established payroll schedules, policies, and legal requirements.
• Reviews payroll data for exempt and non-exempt employees, nontraditional work schedules, overtime cycles, public-safety schedules, and other complex compensation situations.
• Works with departmental payroll representatives to identify and correct timekeeping, coding, and payroll discrepancies before payroll deadlines.
• Performs payroll audits, reconciliations, and validation reports; researches variances and coordinates corrections with Finance and departmental payroll representatives.
• Processes approved pay actions, retroactive payments, supplemental payments, deductions, adjustments and other payroll changes in the HRIS or payroll system.
• Responds to employee and departmental payroll questions, explains payroll processes, and escalates system, policy, or compliance concerns as appropriate.
• Assists with payroll closeout activities, payroll calendars, year-end processing, and required payroll documentation and reporting.
• Maintains accurate payroll records and supporting documentation in accordance with City policy, records-retention requirements and applicable law.
• Prepares payroll reports, employment verifications, schedules, correspondence, and other documents accurately and in a timely manner.
• Supports testing of payroll-system updates, configuration changes, and new processes under the direction of the HR Systems Specialist.
• Documents payroll procedures and provides guidance or training to departmental payroll representatives and other system users.
• Coordinates with the Benefits Team to ensure approved benefit-related employee changes are reflected accurately in payroll.
• Protects confidential employee, banking, tax, and compensation information and releases information only as authorized.
• Processes payroll-related vendor invoices and provides accurate information to authorized vendors and contracted service providers.
• Assists with department-wide customer service, including answering the main phone line and assisting visitors as needed.
• Stays current on payroll practices, wage and hour requirements, City policies, and relevant training.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other duties that provide direct or indirect service to City employees or citizens as assigned.
• When unusual situations occur or the City Manager declares a state of emergency, may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Associate degree in human resources, payroll, accounting, business administration, or a related field and experience in payroll processing, timekeeping, accounting, human resources administration or comparable technical support work. Experience working with automated payroll or HRIS is preferred. Strong attention to detail and analytical skills are required. An equivalent combination of education and experience that qualifies the applicant may be considered in lieu of the more specific criteria listed

Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.

Relevant background checks must be completed satisfactorily.