Payroll Specialist I

University of Texas at Dallas; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

TRS pension

Tuition assistance

Professional development

Job summary

University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson seeks a Payroll Specialist I to process payrolls and related data in a technical payroll system, ensuring timely, accurate payrolls and proper time and labor setup.

Responsibilities include preparing payrolls, month-end entries, W-2 processing, garnishments, testing PeopleSoft updates, and providing customer service to staff and departments with attention to detail and deadlines.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required.
• Three years payroll experience.
• Two years experience with PeopleSoft or similar HRIS.
• Equivalency of relevant experience and education is acceptable.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, or similar.
• Higher Education experience.
• Extensive data entry skills, spreadsheet and word processing proficiency with strong emphasis in Microsoft Excel (V-lookups, Pivot tables).
• Strong organizational, analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to organize and produce accurate results while meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and coordinate payroll processing for monthly, semimonthly, retiree and off-cycle payments.
• Accurately enter payroll data for new hires, terminations, adjustments, deductions and vacation payouts.
• Create time sheets for new hires, enroll in compensation plans and resolve time sheet issues.
• Provide customer service for payroll questions via email and phone with a focus on accuracy.
• Maintain payroll garnishments (child support, tax levies, student loans, etc.).
• Test and validate PeopleSoft HCM system updates.
• Assist with year-end Form W-2 processing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Microsoft Excel

Education

Associate Degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PeopleSoft

Job description

Key Details

• Salary Range: Up to $56,758 depending on qualifications
• Pay Basis: Monthly
• Position Status: Regular full-time
• Location: Richardson
• Desired Start Date: 09/14/2026

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Payroll Manager, the Payroll Specialist I provides technical skills required in the processing of payrolls and related data within a highly technical payroll system. Responsible for preparing and submitting payrolls and related monthly reports.

The Payroll Specialist I is responsible for ensuring that all time and labor setup is complete for new and existing employees, timesheet data is accurate and reported timely, payrolls are processed accurately, all adjustments are properly entered, and accounting entries are processed for month-end closes. Other responsibilities may include reconciliation of deductions, tax data, and balance sheet account transactions.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Associate Degree
• Three (3) years payroll experience
• Two (2) years experience with Peoplesoft or similar HRIS systems.

An equivalency of relevant experience and education is acceptable.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, or similar
• Higher Education experience
• Extensive data entry skills, spreadsheet, and word processing proficiency with strong emphasis in Microsoft Excel i.e. V-lookups, Pivot tables etc.
• Strong organizational, analytical skills and attention to detail
• Ability to organize and produce accurate results while meeting established deadlines

Other Qualifications

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in the planning, organizing, and coordinating the various activities of processing payroll for employees paid monthly, semimonthly, retiree and off cycle payments
• Accurately calculate and enter payroll data necessary to process pay for new hires, terminations, adjustments, miscellaneous awards, deductions and vacation payout amounts
• Assists in Time and Labor business processes - create time sheets for new hires, enroll in compensation plans and resolve time sheet issues
• Customer service - assistance departments and employees with payroll questions and solving payroll issues via email and phone calls with a customer service focused attitude
• Responsible for maintaining payroll garnishments which include child support, tax levies, student loans and other wage garnishments
• Perform testing and validation of PeopleSoft HCM system updates
• Assist with electronic personnel forms of new hire hourly student employees and additional pay processing
• Assist with year-end processing of Form W-2 for employees, explain taxability of wages and what information is applied to each box of the Form W-2
• Other duties as assigned

Additional Information

H1B sponsorship is not available for this position.

What We Offer

• Medical with prescription drug coverage (100% paid for full-time employees), dental, and vision insurance plans
• Life, AD&D, and disability insurance plans
• Paid time off (Vacation, Sick and Holidays)
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS) - Defined benefit pension plan
• Voluntary retirement plans
• Longevity pay after 2 years of service
• Employee tuition assistance
• Professional development and training opportunities through our BRIGHT Leaders program and other resources
• Employee wellness and employee assistance programs
• and much more!

Visit https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/ for more information.

Remote Work Eligibility Statement

FOR FUTURE AVAILABILITY - After the probationary period, this role may be eligible for a hybrid (partly remote/partly in office) work schedule, subject to business need and manager approval. May be required to use personal computer and other standard office equipment. Must be located within the DFW Area and have the ability to be on campus with 24 hours of notice. A UT Dallas Remote Work Agreement will be required within 14 days after approval.

Important Message

1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.

2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.