Payroll Specialist I (SR-18)

County of Maui; Wailuku (HI); On-site; USD 53,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Maui is seeking a payroll specialist to coordinate and perform professional payroll processing for its semi-monthly payroll. The role requires handling timesheets, processing payroll checks, and generating reports with accuracy and compliance.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field and at least six months of payroll experience, with knowledge of payroll laws and garnishments.

Qualifications

• Combination of education and experience: bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or related field; six months of payroll accounting work experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, lead, and perform professional payroll processing activities for the County’s semi-monthly payroll.
• Assist with payroll checks, reports, and related documentation from timesheets to processing.
• Review payroll claims for accuracy, completeness, and legality of earnings and deductions.
• Verify adjustments and supporting documentation for payroll actions.
• Process payroll data through databases and information systems.
• Prepare procedures and milestones for payroll projects (e.g., FLSA, time and attendance).
• Track exceptional pay situations and resolve discrepancies.
• File reports and payments to agencies and financial institutions for taxes, retirement, and other withholdings.
• Reconcile payroll data and support the development and implementation of payroll procedures.
• Provide training on payroll applications as needed.

Skills

Payroll processing

Spreadsheet usage

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field

Tools

Spreadsheets

Job description

Description

IMPORTANT: HIRING RATES WILL BE BASED ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, THE APPLICANT'S QUALIFICATIONS, AND OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS. Appointment may be made at any rate within the salary range from SR-18D ($4,725) to SR-18F ($5,107) per month.

Coordinates, leads, and performs professional payroll processing activities, including generation, reconciliation and recording of the County’s semi-monthly payroll; serves as a resource for the County’s payroll system; and performs other related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This class is distinguished by its responsibility to perform under technical supervision of a professional fiscal officer within the Central Payroll section to ensure timely and accurate payment of the County’s payroll obligations. Work assignments range from simple to moderately complex and are generally characterized by clear and specific objectives to be reached by the application of basic methods and techniques of payroll administration and applicable standards, guides, and regulations relative to such areas as payroll law, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), garnishments, levies, and collective bargaining provisions. Primary work processes and tasks follow well-established procedures, and determinations are made by the direct application of specific standards, guides, etc. Work performed and recommendations made are subject to review by higher level payroll specialists.

Examples of Duties

• Participates in preparing and processing a variety of legal forms, documents and related materials following established procedures;


• Assists higher level payroll specialists in processing the County’s payroll from receipt of timesheets through the processing and printing of payroll checks and reports;


• Reviews payroll claims for payments to ensure accuracy, completeness and legality of all earnings and deductions;


• Reviews and verifies the accuracy of the adjustments and documentation;


• Inquires and processes payroll actions from data through database and information systems;


• Researches and gathers information, participating in the preparation of detailed procedures, methods, and milestones for payroll projects, such as FLSA, time and attendance, etc.;


• Ensures accurate tracking of exceptional pay situations and follows-up as needed to resolve discrepancies;


• Files reports and payments to appropriate agencies or financial institutions for retirement, medical, Federal, and State taxes withheld, flexible spending, bank deposits, etc.;


• Reviews and reconciles employee pay data due to payroll corrections or retroactive adjustments;


• Assists with development, recommendation, and implementation of payroll processing procedures for the County ensuring required actions are made within deadlines;


• Performs complex office automation duties requiring different approaches and methods from one assignment and/or program to another;


• May provide training as necessary to employees on payroll applications;


• Keeps abreast of changes in State and Federal laws and collective bargaining provisions that affect payroll processing;


• Recommends changes in procedures as needed;


• Determines best solution and makes recommendation to supervisor on corrective measures;


• Executes office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents or files, using electronic mail and information systems;


• Prepares statistical and operational reports;


• Attends and participates in meetings involving payroll processing and related matters;


• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Training and Experience: A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or related field; and six (6) months of payroll accounting work experience.

License Requirement: None

Knowledge of: General accounting and payroll practices, preferably in a government setting; practical working knowledge of management information systems; procedures for preparing and processing payroll; applicable Federal and State laws, ordinances, fiscal policies, regulations, and collective bargaining provisions; recordkeeping and report writing, office practices and procedures.

Ability to: Understand and interpret regulations, resolutions, contracts and ordinances; understand and reconcile payroll records; maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information of employees; make and verify arithmetic computations with speed and accuracy; use spreadsheets and other automated tools to conduct payroll data analyses; identify document errors and effect necessary corrections; work under the pressure of recurrent deadlines with frequent interruptions; work in collaboration with other departments/agencies and individuals; follow oral and written instructions; balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks.

Health And Physical Condition

Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping: Light

RECRUITMENT IS ADMINISTERED IN THE COUNTY OF MAUL ONLY. The above recruitment is being administered on an open-competitive basis to establish an eligible list which shall be effective for not more than one year unless extended by the Director of Personnel Services.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The County of Maui does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, arrest and court record, assignment of child support, national guard participation or any other basis covered by state or federal laws governing non-discrimination.

Pre-Employment/Post-Offer Drug Screening Test

All applicants, who will enter a safety sensitive position or certain designated categories that the Personnel Services Director has established or who are required by law to be drug tested must pass a pre‑employment/post‑offer drug screening test as a condition of employment. There is no retesting or re‑evaluation process. Cost for the drug screening test shall be borne by the County of Maui.

Personnel Services Email: [e-mail]