Payroll Professional (Payroll Professional I), Human Resources Division

California State University-San Bernardino; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision plans

CalPERS benefits

15 paid holidays a year

Education fee waiver

Job summary

California State University, San Bernardino is seeking a Payroll Professional to administer Time and Labor and Absence Management within the PeopleSoft HCM system. The role emphasizes accurate payroll processing through testing, policy interpretation, and data audits, while handling leave-related pay and responding to payroll inquiries.

You will collaborate with HR and finance, prepare payroll reports, ensure regulatory compliance, and lead payroll-related process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience
• 2+ years of payroll experience in higher education or similar
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws, tax withholding, and benefits
• Experience with PeopleSoft HCM/Time and Labor modules

Responsibilities

• Oversees end-to-end payroll process for university employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Reviews payroll data, including timesheets, deductions, and benefits, for accuracy and completeness.
• Processes payroll adjustments, such as overtime and bonuses, and manages leave accruals with correct tax handling.
• Prepares and distributes payroll reports and tax forms to employees and stakeholders.
• Collaborates with HR and finance to ensure accurate transfer of payroll data and reconciles accounts.
• Trains staff and serves as SME for Time and Labor, Absence Management, and CHRS.
• Tests and implements payroll system upgrades and patches; supports system enhancements.

Skills

Payroll principles

Analytical skills

Regulatory compliance

Data auditing

Training others

Cross-functional collaboration

Time and Labor knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

PeopleSoft HCM

Time and Absence Modules

Job description

Job Summary

The Payroll Professional is responsible for administering and supporting the Time and Labor and Absence Management modules in the university’s PeopleSoft HCM system. This role ensures accurate payroll processing through system testing, policy interpretation, and data audits. The position also processes a variety of payroll transactions, supports leave-related pay, and serves as a resource for payroll inquiries. Strong analytical skills and a thorough understanding of payroll systems and procedures are essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the end-to-end payroll process for university employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness,and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Review and verify payroll data, including timesheets, deductions, and benefits, to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Processes payroll adjustments, such as overtime, bonuses, as well as leave accruals, while ensuring accurate calculation and application of payroll-related taxes and deductions.
• Prepares and distributes payroll reports, including earnings statements, tax forms, and other payroll-related documents, to employees and relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborates with HR and finance departments to ensure accurate and timely transfer of payroll data and information.
• Reconciles payroll-related accounts and resolves discrepancies or issues as they arise.
• Stays current on payroll laws, regulations, and best practices in the higher education industry, ensuring compliance and recommending process improvements.
• Prepares documents to support payroll-related tax filings and compliance reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Recommend improvements in processes, procedures, and protocols.
• Participates in the implementation and testing of payroll system upgrades or enhancements.
• Provide lead work direction and trains other payroll staff.
• Provide exceptional customer service to departments, payroll technicians, and employees by promptly and accurately responding to payroll inquiries, resolving issues, and providing guidance on payroll-related matters.
• SME and functional lead in the administration of Time and Labor, Absence Management, and CHRS.
• Collaborate with IT and HR teams to implement payroll system enhancements, upgrades, and integrations to improve payroll processes and efficiency.
• Analyze and test PeopleSoft following application patches and updates, as well as major system upgrades.
• Conducts regular audits of payroll data and system configurations to ensure accuracy and data integrity.
• Workforce Administration SME
• Process all employee job and personnel information into Job Data and other PeopleSoft functions.
• Accurately code Job Data information so that it mirrors the State Controller’s PIMS system.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and automation in payroll processing, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to implement process enhancements, streamline workflows, and eliminate manual tasks.

Perform other classification-related duties and participate in special projects and events as assigned to support payroll administration, compliance, operational effectiveness, departmental and division objectives

Minimum Qualifications

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Required Qualifications

• Working skills and knowledge of accounting, finance, business administration, and/or related roles.
• Working knowledge and understanding in the appropriate use of payroll principles, practices, and regulations, including tax withholding, benefits and retirement administration, and payroll compliance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve complex payroll discrepancies.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and compliance requirements related to payroll, including in-depth knowledge of payroll laws and regulations in the higher education industry.
• High level of integrity and ethical conduct in handling financial transactions and sensitive information.
• Ability to train others on new skills and procedures and provide lead work direction.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years Human Resources and/or Payroll experience
• Hands-on experience with and thorough understanding of various PeopleSoft modules

Compensation And Benefits

The salary offered will take into account internal equity and experience among other factors. Initial salary step placement will be Step 1 - $5,178 per month for qualified candidates. CSU Classification Salary Step Range: $5,178 - $7,543 per month (Step 1 – Step 20). The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here .

Position Information

Work status: Full-time/Exempt/Probationary

Academic year schedule: Monday through Friday (8:00 am – 5:00 pm), some evenings/weekends.

Summer schedule: Monday through Thursday (7:00 am - 5:30 pm), some evenings/weekends.

The application deadline is October, 7, 2026 at 11:55 pm (PST). (HR enter ONLY)

Education Code 89521 Requirements

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Conditions of Employment

California State University, San Bernardino, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

California State University, San Bernardino is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B Visas).

CSUSB is not an E-Verify employer and cannot support visa holders with certain requirements (e.g., H1B, F1, STEM OPT).

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Drivers License Check

Possession of a valid Driver's License is required. Employees in this position will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects driving record.

Physical Exam

Employment is contingent upon candidate passing a pre-employment physical exam with the ability to lift in excess of 50 lbs.

Mandated Reporter

The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Campus Security Authority

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) position under the federal Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. CSAs are responsible for reporting allegations of Clery Act Crimes reported to them or that they witness. CSA training is required.

I-9

CSUSB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

On Campus Commitment

In our commitment to the furthering of knowledge and fulfilling our educational mission, California State University, San Bernardino seeks a campus climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the entire variety of human experience. We welcome people from all backgrounds, and we seek to include knowledge and values from many cultures in the curriculum and extra-curricular life of the campus community. We will create, promote, and maintain activities and programs that further our understanding of individual and group diversity. We will also develop and communicate policies and promote values that discourage intolerance and discrimination.

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact CSUSB Benefits at [e-mail] .

Smoking

CSUSB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/ .

Clery Act

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State San Bernardino Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.csusb.edu/clery-act