Payroll Technician II

California State University, Bakersfield; California (MO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Vision coverage

CalPERS retirement participation

CSU tuition waiver

Paid holidays

Job summary

California State University, Bakersfield is seeking a Payroll Technician II to manage payroll processing for state and auxiliary employees, ensuring timely and accurate pay. Under supervision, you will learn and operate two databases (PIMS and ADP) and collaborate with HR and the State Controller’s Office.

The role requires handling confidential information, attention to detail, and adherence to CSU policies while supporting multiple pay plans and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Process a variety of payroll transactions for university employees using approved source documents.
• Review Personnel/Payroll Transactions (PPTs) for accuracy before entering them into the PIMS database, and resolve discrepancies with HR or Faculty Affairs.
• Analyze system issues in PeopleSoft Time and Labor, and calculate pay for Student Assistants, Work Study students and other roles.
• Audit and certify payroll payments and approve release of payments.
• Respond to payroll inquiries across campus units and generate reports as needed for auditing and compliance.
• Calculate payroll adjustments for corrections submitted after master cut-off to ensure timely payments.
• Maintain confidentiality handling sensitive payroll communications.

Job description

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Payroll Technician II

UNION CODE: R07

FT/PT: Full-time

PAY PLAN: 12-month

WORKPLACE TYPE: On-site (work in-person at business location)

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: Step 1 $4,037 - Step 4 $4,284

• However, offer amount will be commensurate with candidate’s experience, education, skills, and training.

CSU CLASSIFICATION SALARY RANGE: Step 1 $4,037 – Step 20 $5,881

PAY BASIS: Monthly

BENEFITS: CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 15 paid holidays per year and more! See our benefits website for additional information.

CANDIDATES ELIGIBLE TO APPLY: Open to all qualified applicants

Special Instructions To Applicant

FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION, applications must be received by September 25, 2026 ; however, the position will remain open until filled.

POSITION PURPOSE

Within the division of People and Culture, the office of Payroll Services is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll, along with reconciliation of time and attendance records for all CSU Bakersfield employees, as well as all auxiliary (SPA and Foundation) employees. Under general supervision of the HRIS & Payroll Manager, the Payroll Technician processes a wide range of confidential, technical payroll, and personnel transactions and ensures timely and accurate pay for both state and auxiliary employees. Such transactions include calculating pay for staff, management, tenure and tenured track faculty, temp faculty, student assistants, instructional students, and graduate student employees across various pay plans within the CSU i.e. annual, 10/12 pay plans, 11/12 pay plans, academic year, summer session pay, and special consultants. Incumbent will learn and update two databases, Payroll Input Management System (PIMS at the SCO) for state employees and ADP for auxiliary employees. The Payroll Technician works closely with the State Controller’s Office, other state agencies, and serves as a member within the campus Payroll team.

Duties & Responsibilities

University Payroll Processing

• Using approved source documents, process a variety of typical transaction types for university employees, including but not limited to appointments, changes of status, sabbaticals, pay increases, separations, settlement pay, docks, and retirements.
• Review Personnel/Payroll Transactions (PPTs) for accuracy before entering them into the Personnel Information Management System (PIMS) database. Address errors and discrepancies by analyzing data, consulting records, communicating with employees, and collaborating with Human Resources or Faculty Affairs. Notify the appropriate staff of any complex discrepancies or unresolved issues.
• Analyze and troubleshoot system problems, errors, and issues for Student Assistants, Instructional Student Assistants, Work Study Students, and Summer Bridge Students utilizing the Time and Labor module in PeopleSoft. Prepare and calculate Intermittent Hourly, Casual Workers, shift and overtime pay. Independently determine when to PIP transactions and when to include transactions in the FTP process, for payments such as shift, overtime, stipends, etc.
• Key one-time payments in pay system. Verify and reconcile all payments utilizing source documents prior to releasing payments for distribution.
• Audit and certify student, master, intermittent, and miscellaneous payroll and approve the release of payments.
• Ensure payroll processing adheres to CSU policies, collective bargaining agreements, Uniform State Payroll Procedures Manual (PPM), Personnel Information Management System Manual (PIMS), Public Employees Retirement System Manual, and State and Federal regulations, reconciling data with the State Controller’s Office. Ensure that payroll processing deadlines are met in compliance with State and Federal regulations. Escalate complex issues or discrepancies as appropriate.
• Respond to a diverse range of payroll inquiries and issues across all campus collective bargaining units. This includes running queries or CIRS reports to report information on positions, leave activity, payroll data for budget, and other employee reporting needs that may include payroll reconciliations. Seek guidance from senior staff or management as needed to respond to more complex inquires.
• Calculate and process payroll adjustments, including deductions and taxes, for corrections or changes submitted after the master payroll cut-off to ensure timely and accurate wage payments.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications with employees and external agencies.

Payroll Adjustments

• Calculate and process up to moderately complex workers compensation, disability (IDL/NDI), leave with/out pay, faculty final settlement pay, pay plan changes, military leave, garnishments and court ordered wage withholding orders.
• Assess the validity of garnishment and levy documents by thoroughly reviewing their authenticity, ensuring they are properly authorized, and confirming compliance with relevant legal standards and organizational policies.
• Determine the correct portion of an employee’s disposable earnings to withhold, adhering to federal and state guidelines that limit garnishment amounts. Manage situations where employees have multiple garnishments, prioritizing and calculating withholding amounts in accordance with legal guidelines and ensuring that total deductions do not exceed allowable limits.
• Administer employee accounts receivables related to time base changes, late dock and various types of overpayments. Notify, prepare, and distribute 15-day, 30-day, and 60-day letters to employees prior to establishing outside collections. Collaborate with employees to establish a suitable repayment schedule. Prepare and submit accounts receivable documents to the State Controller’s Office to establish the payroll deduction.

Auxiliary Organization Payroll Processing (SPA & Foundation)

• Gather and confirm employee information such as hours worked, and overtime. This includes reviewing timesheets for accuracy and ensuring all data is correctly entered into the ADP system.
• Process payroll transactions such as but not limited to, changes of status, promotions, miscellaneous pay increases, and separations.
• Process necessary adjustments such as manual checks, or corrections for previous payroll errors.
• Maintain detailed payroll records for each employee, including wages paid, taxes withheld, and deductions. Generate reports for internal auditing and compliance purposes. Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local tax regulations by withholding the correct amounts.
• Address employee questions regarding payroll, including clarifying deductions, correcting errors, and providing pay stubs or tax documents.
• Prepare and distribute payroll reports, including W-2 forms, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and deadlines.
• Verify and maintain accurate employee leave balances and accruals within the system by auditing database entries and determining eligibility status.

Information Sharing/Support

• Provide standard information to various new and existing employees and departments regarding