Public Sector Payroll Specialist

City of Santa Rosa, CA; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Rosa is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join the Payroll and Benefits Division. You will handle full-cycle biweekly payroll, maintain employee master files, and ensure accurate deductions and MOUs compliance. A government payroll background with labor unions is highly valued.

Ideal candidates will have 2+ years in payroll processing, familiarity with ERP/HRIS, and advanced Excel skills. Knowledge of FMLA/CFRA/PDL and CalPERS is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Requires 2+ years of payroll processing, preferably in government with labor unions.
• Knowledge of federal and state tax laws, CalPERS, MOUs, and complex payroll formulas.
• Experience interpreting MOUs and city policies; ability to perform retroactive pay calculations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process full-cycle biweekly payroll.
• Set up and maintain employee master files in the payroll system.
• Review personnel action forms and deductions for accuracy and entries.
• Review time and attendance for compliance with MOUs and city policies.
• Generate paychecks and direct deposits; reconcile payroll-related accounts.

Skills

Payroll processing

Public sector payroll

Customer service

ERP/HRIS familiarity

Attention to detail

Advanced Excel

Policy interpretation

Education

12th grade completion

Accounting coursework

American Payroll Certification

Tools

ERP/HRIS system

Payroll software

Job description

The City of Santa Rosa is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join the Payroll and Benefits Division. You will handle full-cycle biweekly payroll, maintain employee master files, and ensure accurate deductions and MOUs compliance. A government payroll background with labor unions is highly valued.

Ideal candidates will have 2+ years in payroll processing, familiarity with ERP/HRIS, and advanced Excel skills. Knowledge of FMLA/CFRA/PDL and CalPERS is highly desirable.