Payroll Specialist

Benton County Oregon; Corvallis (OR); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off

$0 health insurance premium

Health Savings/Pre-funded account

Employer-paid retirement contributions

Wellness program

Employer-paid AD&D/Life/LTD

Job summary

Benton County in Oregon is seeking a Payroll Specialist to independently manage the countywide payroll for 500+ employees. You will ensure accurate payroll records, compliance with laws and contracts, and generate payroll, personnel, tax, and benefits reports.

You'll collaborate with Financial and Budget Analysts to prepare salary projections for budgeting and negotiations. Limited hybrid/remote work may be considered after probation.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or two-year technical certificate in accounting or business AND 5 years' of progressively responsible experience in payroll processing.
• A cover letter is required to be submitted with your application.
• Five (5) years of experience with payroll administration for a unionized workforce in an organization of similar size and complexity.

Responsibilities

• Manage the countywide payroll function for 500+ employees.
• Serve as subject matter expert on payroll-related matters and ensure records accuracy and compliance.
• Review, verify, and process payroll data across departments and generate required reports.
• Prepare salary projections to support budgeting and labor contract negotiations.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Education

Associate's degree or two-year certificate in accounting or business

Tools

Excel (Pivot tables)

Outlook

MUNIS

Job description

Are you interested in making Benton County a better place for all its citizens? Do you enjoy diverse and dynamic work? Are you a person who loves to work with a variety of people? If so, then please consider joining the Financial Services Department at Benton County. You’ll get the opportunity to work with a committed and driven team working together to provide the backbone to the County organization.

Job Summary

As one of two Payroll Specialists, this position independently manages the countywide payroll function for approximately 500+ employees. The role serves as a subject matter expert on all payroll-related matters and is responsible for maintaining accurate and secure payroll records to ensure system integrity and compliance with federal and state laws, collective bargaining agreements, personnel policies, and other applicable regulations.

This position reviews, verifies, and processes payroll data for employees across all departments. It also generates required personnel, payroll, tax, and benefits reports. In collaboration with the Financial and Budget Analysts, the Payroll Specialist prepares salary projections to support budgeting and labor contract negotiations.

Click here for a complete list of the duties, responsibilities and physical requirements of this position.

First review of applications will be November 18th, 2026.

Applications submitted after this date may or may not be considered. Please note that this recruitment may close at any time after the first review date.

PLEASE NOTE

• This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
• This recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates for future vacancies.

BENEFITS

Generous time off to maintain a healthy work-life balance!

• 11 Paid Holidays + 2 Floating Holidays + 8 hours of vacation accrual every month + sick leave. Vacation accrual increases with years of service.

$0 Health Insurance Premium!

• Medical, Dental and Vision - cover your eligible family members without additional premium.
• In addition, the County contributes up to $1,400 per year to your Health Savings or Reimbursement account!
  • Apart from your deductible you can use this money for things that aren’t traditionally paid by insurance – i.e. Ibuprofen, Tylenol and other preventative type medications
  • You never lose your Health Savings Account funds as it rolls over from year to year
• Dependents up to age 26 are covered.

Get ready for retirement. Generous employer paid contributions!

• After 6 months of employment:
  • The County makes a retirement contribution of 6% of your salary towards Oregon PERS.
  • The County makes a deferred compensation 457b plan contribution of 3% of your salary. You can add more if you wish.

A free and award-winning wellness program

• Interactive and personalized approach focused on your whole health.
• Onsite and virtual seminars, wellness challenges and fun activities.
• Monetary incentives and cool prizes to engage everyone and meet your individual needs.

100% employer-paid coverage for AD&D ($100,000), Life ($10,000), and Long-Term Disability coverage

• Supplemental plans are available at reasonable rates.

Annual salary range of:

• $58,723.93 -$77,943.33
• This position guarantees two salary raises within your first year. Increases are given at the end of the 6-month probationary period and at the 1-year anniversary, as long as your performance is in good standing! Increases are given until the maximum of the salary range is reached.
• For most employees who take advantage of health benefits the salary only makes up 60% of their total compensation. The County invests in you and your family!
• Have benefits questions?
  • Reach out to us anytime: [e-mail]

Minimum Qualifications for Payroll Specialist (BS23)

Minimum Qualifications for Payroll Specialist (BS23)

• Associate's degree or two-year technical certificate in accounting or business AND 5 years' of progressively responsible experience in payroll processing.
• A cover letter is required to be submitted with your application. The cover letter should detail your work, educational and payroll administration experiences that demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications; including the organizational size, number of employees supported, and specific collective bargaining unit payroll processing experience.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted. Please note candidates must have at least 6 months of actual work experience to be considered as equivalent.

Special Requirements

• Five (5) years of experience with primary responsibility for payroll administration for a unionized workforce in an organization of similar size and complexity, including administration of multiple bargaining-unit payroll rules, contract pay provisions, payroll compliance requirements, and payroll and human resource information management systems.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Associate's degree in accounting or business
• 5 years of experience in payroll administration in a unionized environment

• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables) and Outlook
• Strong client service-oriented customer service skills

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience that is process driven with attention to detail
  • Customer service experience
  • Experience in payroll and human resource information management systems(MUNIS)
  • Experience with local government payroll including work with collective bargaining units
  • Strong Analytical Skills
  • Knowledge of State and Federal Wage and Hour Laws
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) designated highly preferred

Limited hybrid or remote work may be considered after successful completion of the six-month probationary period, subject to department needs and supervisory approval.

Please ensure you have provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please click on the link: Oregon Pay Equity Law

Questions regarding this position can be directed to:

Stephanie Chamberlin, Deputy Director of Finance

Department Telephone: [phone]

[e-mail]

Working & Living in Benton County

Perfectly placed in the Willamette Valley, 90 miles south of Portland and 40 miles north of Eugene, Benton County has easy access to urban areas with ample opportunities for cultural activities. Combined with outdoor recreation galore in the Cascade Range 80 miles to the east and the Coastal Range and Pacific Ocean 50 miles west, the county’s 90,000 residents like to say they “have it all.”

Additional information

• This is a FLSA non-exempt position.
• This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
• This recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates for future vacancies.
• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources. NOTE: If claiming veterans’ preference please be sure to attach your DD214 or Disability letter from the VA.
• Benton County does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Benton County will review these documents to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
• If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, please contact the Benton County Human Resources Department by calling 541-766-6081.

Benton County is an equal opportunity employer.

Helpful links and contact information

Learn more about Benton County

Understanding the County Application Process

JobInterest Cards webpage

For more information you may contact us by e‑mail at [e-mail] or by phone at 541-766-6081.