Payroll Specialist - Finance & Risk Management

Pima County; United States; On-site; USD 50,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima County's Finance & Risk Management Department is seeking a Payroll Specialist to join our in‑office payroll team in Tucson, AZ. You will audit time cards, ensure accurate employee payouts, and support monthly, quarterly, and annual summaries for nearly 7,000 employees.

The role requires an Associate’s degree in accounting or related field, 2+ years payroll operations experience, and familiarity with Workday/ADP/Kronos/PeopleSoft. Strong Excel and customer service skills are preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in accounting or related field; substitution allowed with relevant experience.
• 2+ years payroll operations experience preferred.
• Experience with electronic payroll systems such as Workday, ADP, Kronos, PeopleSoft, or similar.
• At least 1 year Excel experience; strong customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Processes bi-weekly payroll transactions for ~7,000 employees following guidelines.
• Reviews timesheets and payroll entries for accuracy and policy compliance.
• Prepares basic payroll journal entries and reconciliations as directed by senior staff.

Skills

Payroll operations

Excel

Customer service

Timekeeping systems

Education

Associate’s degree in accounting or related field

Tools

Workday

ADP

Kronos

PeopleSoft

Job description

Job Description Summary Department - Finance & Risk Management Job Description OPEN UNTIL FILLED Job Type: Classified Job Classification: 5701 - Payroll Specialist - Finance Salary Grade: 8 Pay Range Hiring Range: $49,878 - $58,635 Annually Pay Range: $49,878 - $67,371 Annually Range Explanation: Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity. Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position. The first review of applications will be on 10/09/2026. The Pima County Department of Finance & Risk Management is seeking a motivated and skilled professional to join our Payroll team as a Payroll Specialist. This position assists in processing bi-weekly payroll for nearly 7,000 employees. You will audit time cards by following Federal and State payroll laws as well as County Merit System Rules and Administrative procedures, adjust leave accruals as needed, ensure accurate employee payouts, and provide customer service to our employees and vendors. If you take pride in your work, enjoy challenges, and appreciate a collaborative environment, this may be a great opportunity for you to join our team. This is an in-office position located in Tucson, AZ, and cannot be remote. The Finance & Risk Management Department is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Essential Functions

• Processes bi-weekly payroll transactions by entering and verifying employee pay data in the County’s payroll system following established guidelines;
• Reviews timesheets and payroll entries for completeness and compliance with applicable policies and procedures;
• Prepares basic payroll-related journal entries and reconciliations as directed by senior staff;
• Assists with compiling payroll data used in monthly, quarterly, and annual summaries;
• Provides routine support to departmental staff and system users by answering basic payroll-related questions or referring them to the appropriate resource;
• Reviews manual payroll warrant requests for completeness and routes for approval and processing;
• Assists with year-end payroll documentation by organizing files and assembling routine reports;
• Follows updates to payroll procedures as provided by higher-level staff and assists with implementing routine changes;
• Runs standard payroll reports to verify data entry accuracy and flags discrepancies for review;
• Performs account verifications related to payroll and reports unresolved issues to senior or supervisory staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting or closely related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment. (Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.) Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years experience in payroll operations, including but not limited to processing electronic timecards, applying human resource policies to time and attendance records, reviewing and adjusting employee accrual balances, and experience related to payroll taxes, filings and regulatory compliance.
• Minimum two (2) years experience using electronic payroll systems such as Workday, ADP, Kronos, PeopleSoft, or comparable platforms.
• Minimum one (1) year experience using Microsoft Excel, including basic data entry, formatting, and spreadsheet calculations.
• Minimum one (1) year experience in customer service, communicating and resolving inquiries in a professional setting.

Selection Procedure

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information

• Licenses and Certificates: Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to obtain/maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Items

• Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Some positions may require completion of a satisfactory personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

Physical and sensory requirements will be determined by position.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office environment.

EEO Information

Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pima County stands out as an exceptional workplace, offering a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and personal satisfaction.

As one of the largest employers in the region, Pima County prioritizes its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing the unique contributions of each employee.

Embracing innovation and collaboration, Pima County provides multiple opportunities in which individuals can make a meaningful impact on their community.

One of the key advantages of working for Pima County is its comprehensive benefits package.

Employees enjoy competitive salaries, generous health insurance coverage, and retirement plans that contribute to long-term financial security.

Pima County recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible work schedules, a generous family leave policy and wellness programs that prioritize employee well-being.

Furthermore, Pima County takes pride in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.

Employees benefit from opportunities for professional advancement through training programs, workshops, and educational reimbursement programs.

In addition, a County-wide employee recognition program rewards employees who exemplify the County values of being accountable, respectful and ethical as well as providing great customer service.

By joining Pima County, individuals become part of a dedicated team working towards a common goal: enhancing the quality of life for residents and building a vibrant future.

Pima County is not just an employer; it's a community that values its employees, encourages their growth, and invests in their success.