Payroll Technician I/II

California State University, Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University, Sacramento is seeking a Payroll Technician I/II responsible for processing payroll and personnel transactions. The ideal candidate will provide excellent customer service to students, staff, and faculty while managing payroll documents and data entry.

This role requires experience in HR record-keeping, familiarity with PeopleSoft, and strong communication skills. The position offers a hybrid schedule after training and contributes to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• One year of general administrative experience in payroll and HR record-keeping.
• Working knowledge of general office methods and procedures.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll and personnel duties in PeopleSoft/CHRS and PIMS database.
• Provide customer support at the front desk reception in Payroll Services.
• Maintain payroll documents and assist with new hire orientations.

Skills

Knowledge of general payroll procedures

Clear and effective communication

Good customer service skills

Ability to apply sound decisions

Education

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams)

PeopleSoft

PIMS or similar HCM systems

Job description

Job no: 559357

Work type: Staff

Location: Sacramento

Categories: Unit 7 - CSUEU - Clerical and Administrative Support Services, Probationary, Full Time, Human Resources, Telecommute eligible (work onsite as scheduled and/or as requested and telecommute as scheduled)

Working Title

Payroll Technician I/II

Classification Title

Payroll Technician I/II

Priority Application Date (Posting will remain open until filled): Tuesday, July 14, 2026 @ 11:55pm PT

Hiring Preference

Eligible on-campus applicants in California State University Employees Union (CSUEU) Bargaining Units 2,5,7, and 9 will be given first consideration in the recruitment.

Position Summary

Payroll Technician I
Under immediate supervision, performs standardized payroll and personnel duties necessary to appoint and pay Student and other academic employees in the PeopleSoft/CHRS and PIMS database. Provides high level of customer service to student, staff, faculty and management employees as walk‑in customers at the front desk reception in Payroll Services. Handles routine matters such as answering questions, communicating policies and procedures, running daily pay warrant register reports, creating and maintaining new hire packets, answering phone inquiries and looking up employees in PeopleSoft/CHRS and PIMS database to resolve inquiries. Distributes incoming mail, subpoenas, personnel records requests, audit inquiries, etc. Processes Absence Management timesheet data entry, maintains payroll documents, assists with New Hire Orientations, processes high volume of payroll invoices for the College of Continuing Education, maintains and monitors employee leave records, runs queries, reviews, audits, reconciles and corrects data, computes net pay, processes time reporting records, leave accruals, entitlements, judgments, levies, garnishments, wage withholding orders, enters payroll and personnel transactions, prepares documents, verifies and audits information for payment release, and may prepare payroll/HR data reports and worksheets.

Payroll Technician II
Under general supervision of the Director of Payroll Services, processes confidential technical payroll and personnel transactions, ensuring timely and accurate pay for assigned units across campus. Calculates pay for staff, management, tenure and tenured track faculty, temp faculty, student assistants, instructional students, and graduate student employees across various pay plans. Handles employment status transactions such as promotions, demotions, appointments, probationary, leave of absence, reclassifications, retirements, and separations. Provides troubleshooting, resolution and answers questions across collective bargaining units, state and federal laws, technical letters, MOUs and policies. Calculates and processes complex workers compensation, disability, leave with/out pay, AWOL, military leave, garnishments and court‑ordered wage withholding orders. Calculates leave accruals and updates the campus ERP/HRIS PeopleSoft system. Learns and updates Payroll Input Management System (PIMS at the SCO) and PeopleSoft CHRS for all transactions. Works closely with the State Controller’s Office and other state agencies, and as a member of the campus Payroll team.

FLSA

Non-Exempt (Eligible for overtime compensation)

Anticipated Hiring Range

$3,738 per month - $4,836 per month

Salary Range

A successful candidate will be assigned at either the Payroll Technician I or II level. Classification level and salary step placement determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience. Anticipated hiring rate not expected to exceed the advertised “Anticipated Hiring Range”.

Work Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Summer Hours: 7:30am - 4:00pm. Schedule negotiable. Position may be eligible for a partial telework (hybrid) schedule, upon management approval, following a 6‑month training period.

Department Information

Payroll Services processes all documentation associated with issuance of payroll warrants to all employees including special consultants, casual workers, and student assistants. The State of California State Controller’s Office issues all payroll warrants. Payroll Services also coordinates all leave credits for employees eligible for accruing paid leave credits.

Qualifications

Knowledge
Working knowledge of general office methods and procedures.

Experience
Equivalent to at least one year of general administrative experience in payroll and human resources record‑keeping and data entry.

Education
Any equivalent combination of education and experience providing the required knowledge and abilities.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of general payroll and/or human resources procedures.
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures and apply sound decisions under direct supervision.
• Working knowledge of personal computer hardware and software such as Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams), ERP/HRIS and related data management systems.
• Clear and effective communication, both oral and written, using good business English and appropriate terminology.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and demonstrate good customer service skills.
• Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of university policy regarding employment of student, academic and staff employees.
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize workload to meet firm processing deadlines.
• Experience with PeopleSoft and PIMS or similar HCM systems.
• Experience working in an institution of higher education.
• Experience navigating pay policies in a union environment.

Condition of Employment

• Satisfactory completion of the background check process.

Documents Needed to Apply

• Resume

Equal Employment Opportunity

California State University, Sacramento is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or disability. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.