Payroll Specialist

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Benefits package

Professional development

Job summary

King County in Seattle is seeking a Payroll Specialist to process payroll and timekeeping, maintain records, and provide guidance on compensation policies. You will support management and employees with payroll information and ensure compliance with applicable laws.

The role involves auditing timesheets, entering data in PeopleSoft, and assisting with payroll policy updates. This temporary assignment is anticipated to last about 6 months, with potential for extension or other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Intermediate Excel skills required; proficient with Outlook and Word.
• Experience with payroll production, terminology, processes and procedures.
• Familiarity with SharePoint and payroll systems like PeopleSoft preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and audit employees' timesheets for compliance with laws, agreements, and rules.
• Data collection from PeopleSoft queries to identify errors and pay discrepancies.
• Provide guidance and training to management, supervisors, and staff on payroll policies.
• Verify attendance and calculate variances according to contracts.
• Enter payroll data into PeopleSoft and maintain filing/records.
• Process employment verification requests.
• Assist with implementation of new payroll policies and procedures.

Skills

Excel

PeopleSoft

Payroll system experience

Outlook

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Tools

PeopleSoft

SharePoint

Job description

Summary

The Public Health Administrative Services team is looking for a talented Payroll Specialist to join their team. The Payroll Specialist position will be responsible for processing payroll and/or timekeeping actions and assist in payroll related activities; maintain and generate payroll related records; provide information to management and employees regarding compensation and employment; and perform related work as required.

Background

Temporary Opportunity. Term‑Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are “at will” positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last 6 months. One factor that could affect the end date of the position is an unanticipated change in funding. This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. Special Duty Assignments are open to Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non‑temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil‑rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures. The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro‑equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts. We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti‑racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities. To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, and hours can vary based on operational need, currently predominately 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Non‑Exempt and subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (overtime eligible).

Work Location

This position will be based out of The Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Job Duties

• Responsible for the reviewing and auditing of all employees entered and supervisor approved timesheets to ensure they comply with Federal & State Laws, King County rules and regulations, including Coalition Labor Agreement (CLA) language.
• Data collection of PeopleSoft queries to audit any issues that may cause system errors and/or employees not being paid accurately.
• Provide support, instructions, information, and training to management/supervisors and employees on current payroll related policies and procedures.
• Verify employee attendance to accurately calculate employee variances in accordance with the corresponding collective bargaining agreement.
• Maintain and as needed, implement new payroll policies and procedures. Also, provide information and instructions on any new or changed policies and procedures.
• Enter payroll information into PeopleSoft.
• Set-up and maintain filing and record keeping systems and updating multiple seniority lists.
• Process employment verification requests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum)

• Intermediate Excel Skills. Outlook, Word, PDF. PeopleSoft or other payroll system experience.
• Knowledge of payroll production, payroll terminology, processes and procedures.
• Experience with SharePoint
• Great customer service skills.
• Ability to work as a team member with a positive attitude and willing to help out other team members.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all public health position

The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired)

• Skill in comparing records for accuracy; and research/reconciling errors and discrepancies.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing a high‑volume workload with strict deadlines.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, union contracts, regulations, and laws.
• Experience supporting accounting functions within a public sector or government agency environment.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action‑oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status‑quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Union Membership

This position is not represented.

Benefits

King County offers a highly‑competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well‑being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred‑compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page. This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.