Payroll Supervisor

Water Resources Office; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 82,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Montana Department of Administration in Helena is seeking a Payroll Supervisor to lead biweekly payrolls, ensure compliance, and streamline payroll processes across the state. The role requires deep knowledge of payroll regulations, accurate reporting, and collaboration with agencies and IT to improve system functionality.

The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in business or finance, 5+ years of payroll experience, and 2+ years of supervisory duties, with telework allowed but

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field.
• Five years of payroll, payroll accounting, and tax-related experience.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Advanced knowledge of state and federal payroll rules and practices.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the preparation and production of biweekly payrolls.
• Develop statewide payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing with data integrity.
• Monitor taxes, benefits, leave payouts, garnishments, and withholding requirements.
• Manage distribution of employee and employer payroll contributions.
• Oversee statewide payroll reporting (941, state tax, W‑2, M‑W3).
• Coordinate payroll and benefits processes with SABHRS schedules.
• Provide agency support, communicate system and policy changes, and resolve payroll issues.
• Assist agencies with reconciling payroll processing and resolving errors before processing.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Leadership

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field

Tools

PeopleSoft

SABHRS

Job description

Job Description - Payroll Supervisor (26142407)

Position Title: Payroll Supervisor - ( 26142407 )

Why live in Helena, Montana?

Helena is Montana’s capital city of about 75,000 people, surrounded by rolling hills and lofty mountains just below the Continental Divide, offering a quiet place to call home where small‑town living meets year‑round outdoor adventure.

Why should you consider working here?

We invite you to consider joining us at the State of Montana Department of Administration. As a customer service–focused organization, we provide centralized services, specialized support, and practical solutions to state agencies, boards, and commissions, as well as local governments across Montana. Our vision is to transform how government services are delivered and accessed, serving state government with effective, efficient, and customer‑driven solutions that benefit all Montanans. (You can learn more about us here .)

What is this career opportunity?

This position is responsible for supervising the preparation and production of timely and accurate biweekly payrolls, ensuring taxation and regulatory compliance. The position requires researching, analyzing, and establishing payroll policy, processes, and procedures, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the statewide payroll; proper and timely payment and reporting of employee pay, benefits, taxes, and voluntary withholding; and maintenance of historical payroll records.

Responsibilities include:

• Payroll Production
• Develop and maintain statewide payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Ensure accurate, timely payroll processing and data integrity.
• Monitor compliance for taxes, benefits, leave payouts, garnishments, and withholding requirements.
• Manage distribution of employee and employer payroll contributions.
• Oversee statewide payroll reporting (941, state tax, W‑2, M‑W3, records).
• Handle multi‑state payroll tax registration, filing, and reconciliation.
• Provide agency support, communicate system and policy changes, and resolve payroll issues.
• Assist agencies with reconciling payroll processing and resolving errors and differences before payroll is confirmed and processed.
• Review and approve time reporting, earnings, and deduction code requests.
• Perform payroll accounting, including GL posting, account reconciliation, and deduction reporting.
• Identify and resolve accounting and tax issues with agencies and the IRS.
• Support testing and implementation of PeopleSoft tax updates and Payroll/Time & Labor changes.
• Coordinate payroll and benefits processes with SABHRS schedules.
• Partner with agencies, IT, and HR to enhance system functionality and reporting.
• Central Payroll Management
• Establish operating procedures and controls for Central Payroll.
• Manage hiring, staffing, and performance development.
• Assist with unit budget oversight and related financial management activities.
• Address inquiries related to SABHRS‑HR and supported modules.

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This position requires an advanced knowledge of state and federal rules and regulations relating to payroll taxes, wages, benefits, travel pay, fringe benefits, labor laws, garnishments, reporting requirements, and accounting principles and practices.

An incumbent in this position must have the ability to: communicate effectively verbally and in writing; communicate complex information to individuals of varying functional- and technical-expertise levels; objectively develop working compromises when working with differing interests within the State Human Resources Division and agencies to prioritize customer requests; function effectively in instances of an emergency and with extreme deadline pressures; and effectively apply project management techniques to meet deadlines.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field.

Five years’ payroll, payroll accounting, and tax-related experience.

Two years’ supervisory experience.

What can you expect from us in return for your hard work?

• Work/life Balance
• Health Coverage
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.

Other important information to be aware of.

• This position requires successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.
• The Department of Administration participates 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/ .
• The first review of applicants will take place on October 6, 2026.
• 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 outlined as part of the job offer and must adhere to state policy.

Applicant Pool Statement

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : Not Applicable

Salary

82,000.00 - 95,000.00 Yearly

Telework Eligibility

Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

Benefits Package Eligibility

Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

No

Primary Location

Helena

Agency : Department of Administration

Union : 000 - None

Posting Date

Sep 25, 2026, 2:52:09 PM

Closing Date

Ongoing

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Information

Name : Chelsea Schneider | Email : [e-mail] | Phone : [phone]

If anyone needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

Equal Opportunity Statement

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.