Payroll Clerk

State of Connecticut - Department of Motor Vehicles; Wethersfield (CT); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles in Wethersfield, CT is seeking a Payroll Clerk to join the Fiscal Services Division. This role focuses on processing payroll and benefits, maintaining accurate records, and applying internal controls in a fast-paced environment.

You will review time cards, post changes, and generate payroll reports using Excel and Word, while delivering reliable customer service to DMV staff.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience in bookkeeping, accounts payable or clerical work involving finances.
• One (1) year of the General Experience must have involved payroll preparation.
• Substitutions: fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.

Responsibilities

• Prepares biweekly regular, overtime, and supplemental payrolls.
• Reviews employee time cards and/or timesheets for accuracy and posts hours worked to master payroll cards.
• Reviews personnel and/or payroll change notices and posts changes and/or adjustments to master files.
• Calculates gross wages and notes deductions on worksheets.
• Prepares payroll-related schedules and reports for Central Payroll.
• Verifies check registers and prints from Central Payroll against worksheets and records.

Skills

Payroll terminology

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Basic accounting

Bookkeeping basics

Office procedures

Education

High school diploma or GED

College credit substitution

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Motor Vehicles is now seeking a Payroll Clerk in its Fiscal Services Division in Wethersfield, CT!

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

POSITION DETAILS

• Full-time, 40 hours/week
• Monday-Friday
• 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Hybrid work opportunity
• Located in Wethersfield, CT

THE ROLE

Join the DMV Fiscal Services Division, Payroll Unit as a self-motivated and detail-oriented Payroll Clerk, supporting one of the agency’s most vital operations. This position plays a key role in ensuring accurate payroll and benefit processing, maintaining compliance, and strengthening internal controls. It offers opportunities to apply critical thinking, audit payroll and benefit data, maintain organized documentation, and deliver reliable customer service in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities May Include

• Process accurate payroll and benefit transactions
• Review and reconcile payroll and benefit data
• Maintain organized, audit ready records
• Enter payroll updates (W 4s, direct deposits, deductions, retirement contributions)
• Use Excel and Word for payroll reporting and documentation
• Resolve payroll and benefit inquiries across DMV branches
• Communicate clearly and professionally with staff
• Provide strong customer service in a fast paced environment
• Participate in employee onboarding process

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for preparing and maintaining biweekly regular, overtime and supplemental payrolls for an assigned group of employees and independently performing various payroll support activities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Prepares biweekly regular, overtime, and supplemental payrolls;
• Reviews employee time cards and/or timesheets for accuracy and completeness and posts hours worked to master payroll cards;
• Reviews personnel and/or payroll change notices and posts changes and/or adjustments to master files, e.g. new hires, transfers, reclassifications, terminations, retirements, overpayments and/or underpayments, wage increases, deduction changes (health insurance, union dues and/or fees, credit union payments, charitable contributions, bond or sheltered tax annuity payments, group life insurance payments, etc.);
• Calculates gross wages;
• Notes deductions on worksheets and deduction summary sheets;
• Prepares and balances prelists for Central Payroll (Office of State Comptroller), noting both salary and deduction data OR codes standard payroll action forms in conjunction with computerized payroll system;
• Prepares and totals various deduction worksheets, e.g., Credit Union, Medical and/or Insurance Providers, etc.;
• Prepares and submits summary sheets and transmittal certificates OR detailed analysis of expenditure reports and expenditure certificates to Central Payroll;
• Verifies check register and printouts from Central Payroll against worksheets and records;
• Performs various clerical accounting functions such as calculating balances and posting charges to expenditure accounts;
• Prepares supplemental payrolls such as longevity payments, vacation pay, promotional adjustments, etc.;
• Calculates and processes retroactive payments, collective bargaining increases and annual increments;
• Performs various clerical accounting functions such as calculating balances and posting charges to expenditure accounts;
• Verifies provider checks issued by Office of State Comptroller against own records;
• Verifies providers' bills in same manner;
• Keeps abreast of collective bargaining contract requirements and restrictions as related to payroll (dates for salary increases, overtime, shift differential and holiday pay restrictions, etc.);
• Responds to employee inquiries regarding paychecks and payroll practices and procedures;
• Maintains various records and files for payroll data and forms;
• May calculate workers compensation and/or retirement payments;
• May calculate and monitor payroll deductions for court ordered wage executions (garnishments);
• May consult division or facility supervisors regarding employee time recorded;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of payroll terminology, practices and procedures; basic accounting and bookkeeping principles and procedures; general office procedures;

Skills: interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; in performing arithmetic computations;

Ability: read, understand and apply applicable contract guidelines and regulations; maintain records and files; ability to follow complex oral and written instructions; operate office equipment which includes computers, tablets, and other electronic equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience in bookkeeping, accounts payable or clerical work involving finances.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have involved payroll preparation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.
• One (1) year as a Financial Clerk performing payroll duties may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience compiling, analyzing, and auditing payroll and benefit data, including preparing reports for internal and external use.
• Experience working independently, entering data, and reviewing work.
• Experience managing competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Experience providing customer service to individuals inside and outside of an organization.
• Experience working with Core CT or other electronic payroll or HR processing systems to perform payroll and benefit functions.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word, in a professional work setting.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Persons having responsibility for supervising or observing the behavior of inmates or custodial individuals will be required to possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification by the time of permanent appointment.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

NOTE

This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.