Payroll Specialist

Jefferson County; Golden (CO); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 hours PTO starting for new hires

Retirement matching

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Jefferson County is seeking a Payroll Specialist to maintain the time and leave system, manage bi-weekly payroll, and support managers with reporting needs. The role requires strong customer service, excellent communication, and a knack for navigating existing financial software.

The position is full-time, hybrid (in-office and remote) with a standard 40-hour week. A competitive benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, paid time off, retirement matching, and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• Experience in payroll processing.
• Excellent customer service in professional communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills with diverse teams.
• Able to pivot in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the County's time and leave software system and update schedules.
• Lead bi-weekly payroll activities and coordinate with IT and payroll staff.
• Process W-4s, direct deposits, and other payroll components.
• Provide customer service to employees and coordinate with retirement providers.

Skills

Payroll processing

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Self-learning

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Tools

Workday

PeopleSoft

JD Edwards

Job description

Payroll Specialist - Jefferson County Logo# CAREER OPPORTUNITIES## Payroll SpecialistApply: Golden: Full time: Posted 2 Days Ago: End Date: November 9, 2026 (15 days left to apply): R-10579**Job Posting Closes at 11:59PM on:**11/08/26**Division:**Accounting & Payroll Division**Management Level:**Individual Contributor**Scheduled Weekly Hours:**40**Benefit Eligibility:**This position is eligible for Standard Benefits which includes dental, medical, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement.**Description:****JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:**Jefferson County’s Finance department is looking for a **Payroll Specialist** to join the team! This position is responsible for maintaining the County's time and leave software system, which includes updating employee schedules, maintaining pay rules, answering employee questions, assisting managers and supervisors with questions and reporting needs, entering new employee information into system, making changes due to organizational changes, etc. Annual processes include updating holidays and occasionally processing stretch pay and shift change maintenance. The ideal candidate will be well versed in government payroll, have excellent interpersonal communication skills, has a technical acumen for financial software systems, and has the proven ability to multitask while working under crucial deadlines. This position acts as subject matter expert for future Workday upgrades and assists with normal payroll processes on a bi-weekly basis. This position may be responsible for maintaining payroll and acting as payroll specialist for processing the bi-weekly payroll and may stand in for the Payroll Supervisor in his or her absence and assist on special projects as needed.**SCHEDULE:**This is a full-time standard 40-hour per week position, working Monday-Friday with flexibility in availability times. This position is hybrid, with remote work and in-office work as determined by an initial onboarding and training period, as well as business need.**COMPENSATION:**Hiring Range: $27.74 - $34.68 USD HourlyCompensation will be determined based on education, experience, and skills.**BENEFITS:**Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off and holidays, including **a starting bank of 40 hours of PTO for new hires**; retirement matching; wellness programs; tuition reimbursement and more. For more information, click here for our Total Rewards summary. **ESSENTIAL DUTIES:*** Maintain Time and Leave Software System - This position is responsible for maintaining or being the mail backup for the County's time and leave software system. This includes but is not limited to updating employee schedules, maintaining pay rules, answering employee questions, assisting managers and supervisors with questions and reporting needs, entering new employee information into system, making changes due to organizational changes, etc.* Payroll Duties - Responsible as the lead payroll specialist for most pay cycle activities. Works and coordinates with the IT department, payroll staff and payroll manager for correctly processing the bi-weekly payroll. This may include processing and verification of W4’s, direct deposits, military pay, calculating accrual pay outs for termed and retiring employees. Addressing all pay situations where adjustments are necessary. Backup for the payroll manager for all closing payroll activities.* Customer Service – Main contact for employees inquiring about higher level payroll services such as processing interim checks and deferring final paychecks into 457 accounts. Works with retirement companies to ensure regulations are followed. Works closely with the Treasurer’s office regarding payments to be processed.* Time and Leave System Processes - Annual processes include updating holidays. Additional processes include stretch pay and shift changes maintenance. Acts as subject matter expert for future software upgrades.* Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.**QUALIFICATIONS:**Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience. Minimum Qualifications:* Education: High School Diploma, GED or equivalent certificate* Experience: Three (3) years of work-related experience* Note an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:* Experience in payroll processing.* Provides exceptional customer service in a professional manner through both verbal and written communication.* Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to partner effectively with other team members of different backgrounds and levels of experience.* Thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with the ability to pivot based on priorities.* Collaboration and teamwork are at the core of all you do.* Experience with a financial software system, such as Workday, PeopleSoft, JD Edwards.* Ability to self-teach and develop proficiency with a variety of technology and software.* Accurate and thorough execution of tasks, examining efficiency and recommending process improvements.* Demonstrate organizational skillset, high standards of accuracy, attention to detail and excellent follow-up initiative.* Able to clearly communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.* Highly proficient with Microsoft Office suite (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint etc.). **ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:*** **Driver’s License:** Positions that require driving on County business in either a county or personal vehicle require a valid Colorado’s driver’s license within 30-days of hire or beginning to serve as an intern or volunteer.* **Pre-Employment Screening:** Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references for all positions.* **Accommodations Statement**: We encourage people with disabilities to apply and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout our hiring process. For assistance with applications, interviews, or other hiring-related accommodations, contact [e-mail]. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot provide application status updates.**APPLICATION:****Apply Now!** Jefferson County Colorado Career OpportunitiesWe encourage all qualified applicants to apply!Please submit your online application by **11:59PM on the posted closing date**.A resume and cover letter are welcome and encourage but **do not replace the information asked for in the application**. Please complete all required sections of the application.You may remove or hide age-related information from your application materials, such as your age, date of birth, or school attendance and graduation dates. You will not be penalized for removing this information.We will review applications to make sure applicants meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job posting. If you are selected to move forward, the hiring team will contact you.You can check your application status by logging into your candidate portal.For more information about the hiring process, visit: https://www.jeffco.us/1860/FAQs**Questions?** Contact the Jefferson County Recruitment Team at 303-271-8420 or [e-mail]**Education:**GED, High School Diploma, Specialized Training - non degree**Experience:**Work Experience: Minimum three years### ### **Certifications:****Languages:****Category:**Budget & Financial Services