Payroll Administrator (Administrator III).

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Life insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

10 paid holidays per year

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

On-site fitness center

Retirement plans (401K/457)

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

The State of Colorado, Department of Law, is seeking a Payroll Administrator to manage monthly and biweekly payrolls for 700+ employees. You will oversee payroll processing, maintain accurate employee records, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and PERA rules.

The role requires collaboration with the Financial Services Team and other central agencies. Strong attention to detail, excellent communication, and proficiency with MS Office and payroll software are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in payroll and timekeeping administration.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with state payroll rules and PERA processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll processes for monthly and biweekly cycles for 700+ employees.
• Administer payroll system in accordance with state fiscal rules, IRS, and other requirements.
• Enter and update employee records (W-4s, Direct Deposit) and certify year-end W‑2 reports.
• Reconcile and audit payroll data; prepare adjusting entries as needed.
• Coordinate and administer the EcoPass program and related payroll tables.

Skills

Attention to detail

Verbal communication

Written communication

Payroll data entry

Excel

MS Office

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

Department Information

Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General! The Department of Law (DOL) is seeking an experienced payroll and timekeeping administrator to join the Financial Services Team! This position is best suited for a professional with outstanding attention to detail, ability to work as part of a team, enthusiasm for customer service, and knowledge of effective, accurate timekeeping and payroll practices. In this position, you'll have the opportunity to work on challenging payroll issues and support two different payroll cycles (monthly and biweekly). If you're looking for an opportunity to work on a collaborative team while supporting a highly engaged workforce.

What You Will Do

The Payroll Administrator will oversee, coordinate and manage all payroll processes for the Department of Law for both monthly and biweekly payrolls.

Payroll Administration

• Prepare and enter bi‑weekly and monthly payroll for 700 plus employees.
• Administer DOL payroll system in accordance with State fiscal rules, IRS, and other federal requirements.
• Evaluate various data sources to enter and update employee records in the payroll system, including W‑4s, Direct Deposit forms.
• Certify employee W‑2 reports at year‑end, reconciling gross earnings, federal and state withholding, Medicare tax, etc.
• Calculate, complete, and ensure timely submission of the 6‑month certification of earnings to PERA for retiring employees.
• Identify changes to procedures or processes based on data analysis or to ensure compliance with changes in fiscal rules, personnel rules, or other requirements.
• Identify and compile requested payroll documentation for audits and submit responses to Payroll Supervisor, Payroll Lead, and Controller.
• Serve as a liaison to central service agencies for payroll specific responsibilities (e.g., Central Payroll, State Controller’s Office, DHR, etc.).
• Present payroll information and answer questions during new employee orientation.
• Coordinate and administer the EcoPass program.
• Manage payroll related tables in the State’s systems, ensuring payroll related tables are kept up to date.
• Ensure all payroll and payroll‑related systems are in balance and accurate.
• Conduct audits and analyze payroll accounting data to identify discrepancies and/or errors and create adjusting/correcting entries into the payroll or accounting system to correct errors or allocate pay within funding lines in accordance with applicable rules and guidance.
• Reconcile suspended balances for benefits.

Timekeeping Administration

• Serve as backup for the Department’s contact for the Timekeeping System and the statewide modernization project.
• Monitor, reconcile, and adjust accruals for complex leave situations including leave without pay (LWOP), partial month earnings, donated leave, and final payouts upon termination/retirement.
• Monitor staff accrual balances for close to the max or over max leave accruals and oversee end‑of‑year forfeiture processes.
• Oversee the monthly and biweekly timecard approval process by ensuring all time off and holiday requests are entered and approved by supervisor, ensuring timecards add up to the correct total and signs off on all timecards once complete.
• Identify Timekeeping System reporting needs/requirements and designs and develops ongoing reports to meet these needs.
• Provide training, as necessary, to support compliance with policies and procedures.
• Serve as backup as the liaison to central service agencies for timekeeping responsibilities (e.g., State Controller’s Office, DHR, etc.).

Salary note: Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Preferred Qualifications

• State of Colorado payroll processing experience is highly desired
• Demonstrated experience processing high‑volume payroll (generally 500–800+ employees) in a fast‑paced environment, with a strong track record of managing large employee groups and executing both biweekly and monthly payroll cycles with accuracy and efficiency using a payroll software system.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain payroll concepts, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and provide guidance to employees and supervisors.
• State of Colorado payroll experience (including knowledge of state fiscal rules, personnel rules, statewide systems, and PERA processes) is highly desirable.

Required Competencies

• Outstanding attention to detail
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to review, verify, and reconcile complex payroll and timekeeping data accurately.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite, particularly Excel, including familiarity with complex formulas such as VLOOKUP.
• Solid foundational math skills, necessary for calculating payroll adjustments, accruals, reconciliations, and verifying accuracy across multiple data sources.
• Ability to adapt, including evolving systems, new policies, and shifting operational priorities, while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• This position offers flexible work arrangements. The Financial Services Unit requires that the successful candidate works in the office a minimum of 3 days per week. Flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.
• Colorado Department of Law participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Appeal Rights

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration may request a review by the State Personnel Director. For further information on the Board Rules, refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801‑1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Department of Law is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Julie Christopher, at [e-mail].

Benefits

• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer‑paid life insurance
• Paid vacation and sick leave earned each month
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness – A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120 on‑time payments while employed full‑time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal loans in a qualifying repayment plan
• Free access to an on‑site fitness center
• Strong, flexible retirement benefits including 401K and 457 plans
• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State personnel system
• Excellent work‑life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program