Payroll Specialist

City of Pharr, TX; Pharr (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid Time Off

Job summary

The City of Pharr, TX seeks a Payroll Specialist to ensure accurate, timely payroll for city employees. You will verify timekeeping, audit entries, maintain payroll records, and manage deductions, benefits withholdings, and garnishments while addressing payroll inquiries.

The full-time, non-exempt role follows a 40-hour week with occasional evenings or holidays, and includes medical, dental, and vision coverage plus paid time off. Salary: $42,000 per year.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic payroll practices, bookkeeping procedures, and timekeeping processes.
• Working knowledge of wage and hour requirements, payroll deductions, leave accruals, 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

• Prepare and verify payroll documentation.
• Enter and audit time and pay data.
• Maintain payroll and leave accrual records.
• Assist with deductions, benefits withholdings, and garnishments.
• Respond to payroll-related inquiries with clear communication.
• Ensure compliance with city policies and wage/hour laws.

Skills

Payroll practices

Wage and hour requirements

Timekeeping processes

Payroll deductions

Leave accruals

Garnishments

Microsoft Office

Payroll software

Data entry

Confidentiality

Tools

Electronic timekeeping systems

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

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply to contribute to accurate, dependable payroll service for City employees.

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.

Salary

$42000 per year