Payroll Specialist

Cincinnati Metro; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Cincinnati Metro is seeking a Payroll Specialist to prepare and process the bi-weekly payroll for hourly and administrative staff in Cincinnati, OH. You will handle tax updates, direct deposits, garnishments, and year-end reporting.

The role requires 2–3 years of payroll experience, strong attention to detail, and familiarity with union contracts. This on-site position offers a collaborative office environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree required; FPC recommended but not mandatory.
• Two to three years related payroll experience.
• Knowledge of union contract clauses related to payroll helpful.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process bi-weekly payroll for operators and staff.
• Update Federal, State, and Local payroll taxes and garnishments.
• Assist employees with pay issues and provide ongoing education.
• Process manual payroll checks and report on them to management.
• Ensure accurate W-2 reporting and benefits-related payroll reporting.

Skills

Communications

Customer focus

Leadership

Professional integrity

Education

Associate's degree

FPC recommended

Tools

Paycor

Novatime

Trapeze

Excel

Email apps

Word processing

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Prepare and process the bi-weekly payroll for operators, mechanics, and administrative employees.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Review information from time keeping systems, bringing concerns to manager attention. Research issues in time and attendance, payroll application, and employee requests


• Input and update Federal, State, and Local payroll taxes, direct deposit information, garnishments and child support orders


• Assist hourly employees in understanding pay issues (paycheck details, contractual progression, calculations, etc.), and providing ongoing education


• Research, prepare, process, and track manual payroll checks. Prepare accountability report of manual checks processed to management


• Catch up under-withheld employee deductions through arrearage


• Ensure vacation in-lieu is paid correctly according to labor contract and direct deposit requirements


• Assist in the assurance of correct W-2 reporting, including but not limited to HSA, healthcare, and ACA reporting requirements


• Provide information for OPERS (Ohio Public Employees Retirement System) reports


• Process claims for sick pay; calculate sick pay due and maintain sick pay eligibility records.


• Prepare bi-weekly sick accrual files for import


• Import employee and employer HSA contribution files to vendor's portal. Track and reconcile for W-2 reporting


• Perform general administration and miscellaneous tasks including but not limited to answering phones, copying, and filing


• Serve as a backup to other payroll specialists and payroll manager


• Assist in the development of strategies to meet or exceed organizational and department performance goals and objectives


• Model exemplary internal and external customer service


• Provide a positive work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran


• Ability to work in compliance with Metro's safety and security policies


• Other duties as assigned

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

• Communications - Excellent verbal, writing and non-verbal skills. Clear, concise, and persuasive. Excellent grammar and punctuation


• Customer Focus - Excellent problem-solving skills and a desire to exceed customer expectations Employee Development - Accurately identifies and measures own skills and knows when to ask for help in completion of tasks and projects


• Leadership - Energetic, takes initiative on projects, committed to continuous improvement


• Professional Integrity - Accountable, honest, fiscally responsible, with the ability to maximize resources

Education

• Associate's degree (two year college or technical school)


• FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) recommended but not mandatory

Experience

• Two to three years related experience

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Computer Skills

• Working knowledge of payroll and timekeeping applications (Paycor, Novatime, or Trapeze application a plus), spreadsheets, email applications, and word processing

Other Requirements

• Working knowledge of Union Contract clauses relating to Payroll

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office atmosphere

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Metro is an Equal Opportunity/affirmative Action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, promotions, or any other condition of employment or career development.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate