Payroll Specialist

City of Pharr; Pharr (TX); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

The City of Pharr seeks a Payroll Specialist to support its payroll function, ensuring accurate records and compliant processing under City policies and wage/hour laws. You will verify documentation, enter time data, and audit payroll records while handling deductions, accruals, and garnishments as needed.

Core responsibilities include responding to inquiries with clear communication and maintaining audit-ready files.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic payroll practices, bookkeeping procedures, and timekeeping processes.
• Working knowledge of wage and hour requirements, payroll deductions, leave accruals, benefits deductions, garnishments, and payroll recordkeeping.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with electronic timekeeping systems and payroll/financial software preferred
• Strong accuracy, data entry, basic accounting, and mathematical computation skills
• Ability to organize work, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality

Responsibilities

• Maintain payroll records and ensure accuracy and completeness for each cycle.
• Enter and audit time data and pay data for employees.
• Update payroll and leave accrual records and manage deductions and garnishments as required.
• Respond to payroll-related inquiries with clear, timely communication.
• Coordinate with departments to resolve discrepancies before payroll deadlines.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Data entry

Confidentiality

Organization

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic timekeeping

Payroll software

Job description

Position Summary

The Payroll Specialist supports the City’s payroll function by ensuring payroll records are accurate, complete, and processed in accordance with City policies and applicable federal and state wage and hour requirements. Key responsibilities include preparing and verifying payroll documentation; entering and auditing time and pay data; maintaining payroll and leave accrual records; assisting with deductions, benefits withholdings, and garnishments; and responding to payroll-related inquiries with clear, timely communication.

Required qualifications/skills:

• Knowledge of basic payroll practices, bookkeeping procedures, and timekeeping processes
• Working knowledge of wage and hour requirements, payroll deductions, leave accruals, benefits deductions, garnishments, and payroll recordkeeping
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with electronic timekeeping systems and payroll/financial software preferred
• Strong accuracy, data entry, basic accounting, and mathematical computation skills
• Ability to organize work, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality

Core Benefits

This full-time position includes Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, along with Paid Time Off to support rest and planned time away.

A Typical Workday

Your day is structured around a consistent 40-hour, non-exempt schedule, with flexibility required for evenings, weekends, or holidays when operational needs arise. You will coordinate with multiple departments to clarify submitted time, confirm approvals, and resolve discrepancies before payroll deadlines. Much of the day involves focused computer-based work—reviewing reports, cross-checking entries, and updating records—balanced with professional, service-oriented communication to help employees understand pay-related questions. As payroll cycles progress, priorities shift toward final validation, documentation organization, and maintaining orderly files that support audit readiness and timely pay distribution.