Payroll Specialist 1

State of Montana; Helena (MT); Hybride; USD 50 000 - 70 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The State of Montana, specifically the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks payroll team, seeks a payroll professional to manage biweekly payroll processing, ensure accuracy, and maintain SABHRS records for 700+ staff across the agency.

Hybrid role with weekly in-office days in Helena; background check required; telework may be available per policy. The OFSD oversees payroll, vacation, holidays, and related benefits for full-time and seasonal staff.

Qualifications

• Experience processing biweekly payroll.
• Knowledge of state payroll policies.
• Ability to audit time and leave records.

Responsabilités

• Process biweekly payroll and updates in SABHRS.
• Prepare payroll reports and summaries.
• Assist managers with payroll documents.
• Ensure compliance with laws and contracts.
• Propose policy improvements.

Connaissances

Payroll processing

SABHRS experience

Payroll reporting

Outils

SABHRS

Description du poste

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Special Information

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation.

Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.

Telework (if applicable)

You must reside in Montana (or move to Montana) to accept this position. In this position you will be afforded the opportunity to telework, however there will be required weekly in-office day(s) in Helena. Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy.

Effective June 22, 2026

Effective June 22, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/

Specific Job Information

The Operations & Financial Services Division (OFSD) is responsible for administration and coordination of accounting and payroll related matters throughout the agency. The payroll section in OFSD provides agency-wide guidance regarding payroll, vacation, sick leave/sick leave donation, holiday, and comp time benefits for more than 700 full-time employees and more than 350 seasonal employees. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is spread throughout Montana and is made up of 7 Divisions and 7 Regional Offices.

Job Overview

This position performs and reconciles payroll. Guarantees that appropriate updates and corrections are processed properly through the system. Analyzes payroll support documents to determine compliance with State and Federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. In addition, compliance must also be maintained with bargaining unit agreement/union contracts.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities)

A. Payroll Processing

• Review and process biweekly payroll to ensure all time reported is reasonable
• Maintains and updates payroll information in SABHRS. Enters and maintains employee personal and payroll data. Processes pay changes and terminations.
• Enforces the terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements and union contracts to process all pay-related changes/payments required under the collective bargaining agreements.
• Initiates and/or completes interagency transfer of funds when required.
• Correct differences through preparation of journal vouchers or prior pay period adjustments on the SABHRS HR system. Audits sick and annual leave records and ensures excess leave and compensatory time payouts are completed in compliance with policy.
• Computes final leave balances for termination payoffs and employee transfers to other agencies.
• Enter necessary adjustments such as differential pay, retroactive pay, longevity and leave accelerator adjustments, prior pay period adjustments to reported time and other miscellaneous adjustments. Process off cycle checks when required.

B. Payroll Reporting

• Create and run various system reports to research and compile appropriate payroll, budgeting, accounting, or auditing information.
• Review and verify data in reports to ensure a variety of payroll allocations and other transactions are properly recorded using computer software. Take corrective actions as needed.

C. Payroll Assistance

• Assist managers and employees by processing payroll documents such as sick leave, annual leave, or compensatory time reports.
• Research employee inquires on payroll matters.
• Prepare estimations on final pay for retirees considering different tax deferred/pre-tax options. In conjunction with the HR Manager, enforces payroll and benefit policies and procedures, auditing principles, state and federal regulations and statutes to resolve issues and problems.
• Propose new policies, procedures or processes or revisions to current policies, procedures, and processes when necessary; responsible for ensuring that payroll policies, procedures and processes are implemented and followed.
• Work as a team member with the HR Manager and other staff to formulate policies and proce