Senior Payroll & Processing Specialist

Jimmy Jazz; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

APV is seeking a Senior Payroll & Processing Specialist to provide advanced support to DHS OCHCO and HR offices on federal pay administration and personnel action processing. The Senior Specialist handles complex pay corrections, retroactive actions, debt collection, and contested NOAC determinations, serving as a senior contact for NFC, OGC, employees, and HR partners.

This role requires deep knowledge of GPPA, Title 5 pay authorities, FLSA, Back Pay Act, and DHS policy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8–10 years of federal HR or payroll experience with complex pay processing.
• Working knowledge of GPPA, 5 USC chapters, CFR Parts 530–575, Back Pay Act, FLSA.
• Hands-on experience with NFC systems: EmpowHR, EPP/MyEPP, PCC2000, IRIS, WebTA.
• Ability to work remotely with stakeholders and produce audit-ready docs.

Responsibilities

• Process and reconcile complex pay actions including Back Pay Act corrections.
• Adjudicate pay setting cases: highest previous rate, SAVED pay, and special rates.
• Lead quality reviews of SF-50s/SF-52s for accuracy and policy compliance.
• Coordinate NFC service requests and end-of-year processing.
• Mentor junior staff and prepare briefing materials for leadership.

Skills

Federal HR

Payroll processing

NFC systems

OPM GPPA knowledge

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/PA/Finance/Business

Tools

EmpowHR

EPP/MyEPP

PCC2000

IRIS

WebTA

Job description

Title: Senior Payroll & Processing Specialist

Location: Remote

COMPANY BACKGROUND

At APV, we’re more than a technology company — we’re a mission-driven powerhouse transforming organizations through advanced technology and human ingenuity. Our expertise spans AI/ML, data architecture, low-code/no-code development, Agile DevSecOps, and cloud services, delivering scalable and meaningful solutions.

In our Emerging Technology Lab, innovation drives progress. Our teams create intelligent chatbots, AI-powered assistants, robotic process automation (RPA), essay graders, and data analytics platforms. If you’re passionate about solving complex challenges and shaping the future, APV is the place for you.

Since 2007, we’ve partnered with federal and state agencies to deliver IT, training, and consulting solutions that achieve mission-critical outcomes. Built on accountability, integrity, and quality, we go beyond expectations.

With 70+ prime contracts and a proven record of client success, APV continues to grow — and we’re looking for exceptional talent to grow with us.

At APV, we Always Provide Value

POSITION SUMMARY

APV is seeking a Senior Payroll & Processing Specialist to provide advanced support to DHS OCHCO and component HR offices on federal pay administration and personnel action processing. The Senior Specialist independently handles complex pay corrections, retroactive actions, debt collection cases, and contested NOAC determinations, and serves as a senior point of contact for NFC, OGC, employees, and component HR partners.

This role requires deep working knowledge of the OPM Guide to Processing Personnel Actions, Title 5 pay authorities, FLSA, the Back Pay Act, and DHS policy. The Senior Specialist drafts SOPs, leads quality reviews, mentors journeyman specialists and HR assistants, and coordinates complex NFC service requests and audit responses.

DUTIES

Complex Pay Administration & Corrections

• Process and reconcile complex pay actions, including back pay under the Back Pay Act, retroactive promotions, retroactive within-grade increases, and settlement-driven payments.
• Adjudicate pay setting cases, including highest previous rate, superior qualifications appointments, saved pay, and special rate determinations.
• Process premium pay administration, including overtime, Sunday and holiday pay, night differential, hazard pay, environmental differential, LEAP, and AUO.
• Lead complex debt collection cases under 5 USC 5514, including waiver requests, hearings, and offset coordination with NFC and OGC.
• Process Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP), Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA), severance pay, and lump-sum annual leave payments.
• Process the full range of personnel actions, including appointments, conversions, promotions, reassignments, details, separations, and retirements.
• Apply the OPM Guide to Processing Personnel Actions (GPPA) to ensure correct NOAC selection, legal authority citation, and effective date determination.
• Lead recurring quality reviews of SF-50s and SF-52s for accuracy, completeness, and policy compliance; document findings and drive corrective actions.
• Process complex actions, including time-in-grade waivers, conversions between appointment authorities, and reinstatement cases.
• Support RIF, reorganization, and transfer-of-function processing under senior direction.

NFC Coordination & System Operations

• Coordinate complex NFC service requests, error corrections, and processing window management.
• Process T&A corrections, leave audits, and pay-related reconciliations through WebTA and NFC environments.
• Coordinate end-of-year processing, leave-year transitions, and tax-related corrections.
• Reconcile pay records with personnel actions to identify discrepancies and drive corrections.
• Maintain accurate processing logs and supporting documentation.

Reporting, SOP & Process Improvement

• Build and maintain operational reports on processing volume, age, accuracy, and audit findings.
• Identify systemic patterns, capacity constraints, and process bottlenecks; recommend remediation.
• Draft and maintain SOPs, desk guides, job aids, and training materials for payroll and processing operations.
• Lead process mapping, requirements gathering, and lessons-learned reviews for assigned program areas.
• Contribute to system modernization activities, including automation, integration, and reporting requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement & Mentorship

• Serve as a senior consultative resource to component HR partners, NFC, OGC, employees, and managers on pay and processing matters.
• Mentor journeyman specialists and HR assistants; review their work products for quality, consistency, and policy compliance.
• Prepare briefings, decision papers, executive summaries, and recurring leadership updates on assigned program areas.
• Respond to time-sensitive data calls, congressional inquiries, IG requests, and oversight reviews.
• Build and maintain SharePoint-based knowledge repositories, intake forms, automated workflows, and tracking dashboards.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field. Equivalent federal payroll and processing experience may substitute based on contract terms.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Active DHS Public Trust or favorably adjudicated investigation; ability to obtain and maintain required suitability/access throughout the period of performance.
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive federal HR or payroll experience, including significant responsibility for complex pay actions and personnel action processing.
• Working knowledge of the OPM Guide to Processing Personnel Actions; 5 USC Chapters 53, 55, 57, and 59; 5 CFR Parts 530, 531, 550, 551, and 575; the Back Pay Act; and FLSA standards.
• Hands-on experience with NFC systems, including EmpowHR, EPP/MyEPP, PCC2000, IRIS, and WebTA.
• Demonstrated experience resolving complex pay corrections, retroactive actions, and debt collection cases.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce defensible, audit-ready documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fully remote environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience supporting DHS or DHS component HR or payroll offices.
• Certified Federal HR Professional (FedHR), American Payroll Association Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), or comparable credential.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher, CAPM, PMP, or comparable process certification.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, IPMA-CP, IPMA-SCP, or federal HR certification.
• Microsoft 365 / SharePoint Online experience supporting case tracking, knowledge management, or workflow automation.

ABOUT APV

APV is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status.