Payroll Lead

Minnesota Judicial Branch; St. Paul (AK); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension plan

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The Minnesota Judicial Branch is seeking an experienced Payroll Lead to supervise staff performing payroll duties across the system. You will verify payroll calculations, monitor reports, and ensure all biweekly deadlines are met while providing branch-wide communication and policy guidance.

This role requires a strong foundation in accounting, public sector payroll systems (SEMA4/SWIFT), and effective leadership to ensure accuracy and compliance in payroll operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, or related field.
• May substitute an associate’s degree in accounting or related field, plus considerable public sector payroll or accounting experience with automated systems.
• Professional level experience in accounting or finance in public sector with automated systems, including supervision.
• Experience with Minnesota's statewide payroll system, SEMA4 and accounting system, SWIFT.
• Knowledge of payroll procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of accounting and payroll-related computerized accounting programs.
• Ability to accurately enter transactions and data into state database systems.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with Judicial Branch employees and judges.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to pay close attention to details.
• Capacity to think critically and solve problems.

Responsibilities

• Provides work direction to accounting staff that perform payroll duties for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Trial Courts, and various Boards.
• Coordinates the payroll process, using the state payroll system, SEMA4. Oversight of payroll related transactions. Ensure all deadlines are met on a biweekly basis.
• Provides professional-level accounting expertise; duties include responsibility for developing and maintaining payroll related information system, analyzing and interpreting data to resolve issues and providing recommendations.
• Represents the Courts on work teams and statewide committees that meet to discuss and resolve payroll processing and reporting issues. Responsible for statewide payroll communication.
• Assists with the development, review, revision, and implementation of payroll policies and procedures by evaluating current processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and making recommendations that promote fiscal accountability, operational efficiency, compliance, and consistency.

Skills

Payroll procedures

Accounting software

Data entry

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Associate degree in accounting (plus public sector payroll exp)

Tools

SEMA4

SWIFT

Job description

DESCRIPTION:

We are pleased to announce that the Finance division within the State Court Administrator’s Office is looking for an experienced Payroll Lead. This position is responsible for providing work direction to accounting staff that perform payroll duties for the Minnesota Judicial Branch. This position will be responsible for entering and verifying payroll transactions, monitoring payroll reports, auditing business expenses, and performing other financial duties. As the Payroll Supervisor, this position is responsible for Branch wide communication, proofing payroll calculations, and ensuring all biweekly deadlines are met.

EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES

The following are examples of major job duties expected for this position to perform.

• Provides work direction to accounting staff that perform payroll duties for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Trial Courts, and various Boards. Work with staff to provide day-to-day direction, resolve complex issues, support staff, and identify opportunities to improve processes.
• Coordinates the payroll process, using the state payroll system, SEMA4. Oversight of payroll related transactions. Ensure all deadlines are met on a biweekly basis.
• Provides professional-level accounting expertise; duties include responsibility for developing and maintaining payroll related information system, analyzing and interpreting data to resolve issues and providing recommendations. Serves as a resource for interpreting and applying finance policies, procedures, and requirements. Prepares salary calculations based on statute. Ensures exceptional accuracy, compliance, customer service, and timeliness in the resolution of finance payroll matters.
• Represents the Courts on work teams and statewide committees that meet to discuss and resolve payroll processing and reporting issues. Responsible for statewide payroll communication. Leads monthly payroll meetings and serves as the liaison between MN Management and Budget Payroll Service and the MN Judicial Branch.
• Assists with the development, review, revision, and implementation of payroll policies and procedures by evaluating current processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and making recommendations that promote fiscal accountability, operational efficiency, compliance, and consistency.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education, training, and work experience which indicates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below will be considered. An example of an acceptable qualification is:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, or related field.
• May substitute an associate’s degree in accounting or related field, plus considerable public sector payroll or accounting experience with automated systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional level experience in accounting or finance in public sector with automated systems, including some experience providing supervision to others.
• Experience with Minnesota's statewide payroll system, SEMA4 and accounting system, SWIFT.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of payroll procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of accounting and payroll-related computerized accounting programs.
• Ability to accurately enter transactions and data into state database systems.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with Judicial Branch employees and judges.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to pay close attention to details.
• Capacity to think critically and solve problems.

SALARY RANGE:

The expected starting salary range is $29.42 - $37.55 per hour ($61,429 - $78,404 annually). The full salary range for this position is $29.42 - $45.67 per hour ($61,429 - $95,359 annually). This position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for State of MN employee benefits.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Position Logistics:

This position is classified as an Accountant I and will work normal business hours, Monday-Friday. This work will be conducted in a hybrid environment and will be in-person at the Minnesota Judicial Center, in St. Paul, Minnesota a minimum of three times a month and additionally based on business need.

Why Work for Us?

Minnesota Judicial Branch employees consistently express pride in their public service and in the quality of programs and services provided to customers, as well as appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration that is promoted within the MJB. We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and actively seek and value diversity in professional background and cultural characteristics. We are intentional and mindful about the organizational culture we are building, seeking broad-minded individuals with robust capabilities who value supporting one another’s growth.

Employee Benefits

• The Minnesota Judicial Branch cares about and invests in you as an employee. Because of that, we offer affordable yet competitive benefits to support you and your family’s wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees includes health and wellness benefits, enhanced fertility benefits, short- and long-term disability, pension, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more at Employee Benefits - Careers at the Minnesota Judicial Branch Careers. Minnesota Judicial Branch employees may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This federal program allows qualified individuals to have their loans forgiven after meeting certain requirements working in public service. You can learn more about this program from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the office of Federal Student Aid.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting Human Resources at [e-mail]. The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.