Payroll Technician II

California State University, Stanislaus; Turlock (CA); Hybrid; USD 45,052 - 65,631; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision plans

Paid holidays and vacation

Fee waiver education program

Job summary

California State University, Stanislaus is seeking a qualified individual for a full-time role in Human Resources, starting on or after May 4, 2026. This position will be responsible for managing payroll and personnel transactions, supporting system processes, and ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in payroll processing, excellent attention to detail, and effective communication skills. Benefits include vacation, health plans, and a competitive salary range of $4,037 to $5,881 per month.

Qualifications

• Two years of payroll and personnel experience required.
• Ability to interpret payroll rules and regulations.
• Experience in a CSU or higher education setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll and personnel transactions for all employee categories.
• Calculate pay and audit leave adjustments.
• Provide guidance on payroll procedures and policies.

Skills

Payroll processing

Attention to detail

Knowledge of state and federal laws

Effective communication

Education

Associate degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

Position Summary

Full‑time position available on or after May 4, 2026 in Human Resources. Under general supervision, this position is responsible for independently performing the full range of moderately complex payroll and personnel transactions for all employee categories, applying a thorough knowledge of applicable policies, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements. Responsibilities include interpreting and applying rules not fully covered by precedent, calculating and reconciling pay and leave accruals, identifying and resolving payroll discrepancies, preparing documentation for audit, and providing guidance to campus users or other payroll staff. The incumbent also supports system processes, tests updates, prepares reports, and exercises judgment to determine the appropriate course of action within established guidelines.

Job Duties

• Independently process a full range of payroll and personnel transactions for all employee categories.
• Calculate pay for multiple pay plans (e.g., AY, 12 month, 10/12, 11/12, overtime, shift differential, special consultants, etc.).
• Audit and process leave/accrual adjustments and status changes across pay types.
• Identify and calculate overpayments and coordinate collection activities.
• Reconcile complex work schedules and verify pay status changes.
• Process compensation—including shift, overtime, NDI, IDL, separations—for all employee categories.
• Manage and maintain exception reports across PIMS and CMS.
• Audit and verify payroll data for accuracy before release.
• Research and interpret moderately complex payroll rules when not clearly covered by precedent.
• Run, validate, audit, and prepare queries, spreadsheets, and reports for review.
• Perform payroll reconciliations and resolve discrepancies independently.
• Participate in payroll software testing and verify results of system updates.
• Analyze and assist in resolving system issues affecting Time & Labor and Absence Management modules.
• Work with HR/FA to maintain “reports‑to” functionality for compliance with time and leave approval requirements.
• Provide guidance to campus users regarding payroll procedures and policies.
• Respond to inquiries requiring interpretation of regulations or collective bargaining agreements.
• Work with other state agencies or administrators on payroll matters.
• May provide training to other payroll staff.
• Collaborate with departments to ensure timely and accurate payroll submissions.
• Assist with inquiries related to position history, budget‑related payroll data, and leave activity reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• Experience: Equivalent to two years of payroll and personnel experience which has provided the above knowledge and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in business administration, accounting, human resources, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of direct payroll experience, including processing transactions for multiple employee categories, in a Human Resources department.
• Prior experience in a CSU or higher education setting.
• Some knowledge of CSU payroll/personnel procedures.
• Experience with data entry and processing payroll in an educational, city, county, or state environment.
• Experience using Time & Labor, Absence Management, or similar payroll modules.
• Experience interpreting pay‑related policies, procedures, or collective bargaining provisions.
• Experience communicating payroll requirements to departments or employees.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of general office methods, practices and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of, or the ability to acquire quickly, CSU policies, procedures, programs, guidelines, applicable state and federal laws, educational codes, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to select and apply a wide variety of moderately complex policies, procedures, programs, and applicable state and federal laws, educational codes, and collective bargaining agreements that are not clearly described in available guidelines.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to make sound decisions and recommendations regarding payroll activities.
• Ability to audit and reconcile data; interpret and apply written rules and regulations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to exercise tact, courtesy and good judgment in responding to others.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
• Ability to accurately enter data.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to read and write at a level appropriate to the position.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Position may be required to travel occasionally.

Salary Range

Anticipated starting salary will be $4,037 (step 1) – $4,200 (step 3) per month plus excellent paid benefits. Future increases, including step advancement, are subject to contract negotiations. Salary will depend on the qualifications of the successful finalist. Full range: $4,037 (step 1) – $5,881 (step 20) per month.

Benefits

As a member of the 23‑campus CSU System, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, health, dental, and vision plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year. Full benefits summary for Unit 7 Bargaining Unit is available through the CSU Employee Benefit Summary.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.