Payroll Clerk II

Norfolk Public School District; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local school district in Norfolk, Virginia is seeking a Payroll Clerk to oversee payroll processing and ensure accuracy for over 1,000 employees. The ideal candidate will have at least two years of clerical experience, knowledge of automated payroll systems, and strong communication skills. This role requires attention to detail and the ability to work independently in a demanding environment.

Qualifications

• At least two years of related clerical experience.
• Experience in payroll processing and procedures.
• Ability to work independently and make calculations.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll data for over 1,000 employees.
• Verify and enter payroll information, including financial codes.
• Respond to payroll inquiries and resolve discrepancies.

Skills

Automated payroll procedures

Payroll tax laws

Basic accounting principles

Data entry accuracy

Conflict resolution

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Full-Time and Permanent; 7.5 Hours / Day; 252 Days / Year; 12 Months / Year; Grade II

General Responsibilities

This is clerical work at the experienced payroll level. This position is responsible for processing payroll information; producing and distributing all payroll disbursements in an accurate and timely manner. The work involves planning, organizing, and processing bi-weekly payrolls, making appropriate calculations pertinent to the payroll process, processing checks for distribution, and communicating with school personnel. Employees in this position usually proceed without specific instructions and complete tasks and routines for their assigned block of schools independently, with new or unusual matters being referred to the Lead Payroll Clerk or Supervisor.

Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited high school or GED and at least two (2) years of related experience to include clerical experience utilizing computer keyboard and terminals, payroll processing and procedures, and use of the calculator, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the above noted knowledge, skill, and ability.

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, organizes and processes payroll data for the bi-weekly payroll for over 1,000 employees; verifies and enters submitted payroll data, including leave information, financial management information system (FMIS) codes, social security numbers, and proper spelling of names; checks payroll run for accuracy and makes corrections or adjustments as necessary; prepares and processes payroll checks for employees who were inadvertently omitted in the regular runs.
• Computes days and calculates salary for new employees not yet on the computerized system; computes monies owed by an employee from exceeding sick leave allotments; and computes salaries for certain hourly workers; calculates and enters manual adjustments because of personnel action changes.
• Monitors and verifies payroll data on the computerized file; reviews personnel action requests (PAR's) to verify proper adjustments to status and pay; reviews data entered on the supplemental payroll for the Payroll Director.
• Responds to inquiries regarding payroll deductions, direct deposit, nonreceipt of check and other payroll-related questions; communicates with school personnel to resolve payroll discrepancies; processes all correspondence to legal offices in a timely and efficient manner.
• Performs a variety of payroll-related clerical, filing, and records modification tasks.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY

• Thorough knowledge of automated payroll procedures, payroll tax laws and procedures, and basic accounting principles and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of federal and State income tax withholding laws, regulations, and NPS policies and procedures for the accomplishment of the payroll function.
• Ability to perform tasks independently, and to monitor accomplishment of their work performance.
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written directions, and to resolve problems and questions arising in the payroll work.
• Ability to utilize a computer keyboard at a reasonable speed and to input data accurately on a timely basis.
• Ability to work well with others, and to resolve or de-escalate confrontational situations arising with employees because of inaccurate, delayed or lost checks, with courteous, tactful discussion and discretion.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Good judgment; mental alertness; accuracy; and integrity.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Long periods of sitting at a desk and looking at a terminal screen; lifting heavy ledgers.

HAZARDS

Work involves exposure to normal, everyday risks in an office environment. Hazards include problems arising from continuous keyboard usage and exposure to a computer terminal (CRT).

UNUSUAL DEMANDS

Work involves stressful situations, meeting constant deadlines and frequent interruptions. May involve hostile confrontations with employees because of inaccurate, lost or missing checks. Work requires a very high degree of accuracy.