Senior Payroll Specialist

City of Raleigh Municipal Government; Raleigh (NC); Presencial; USD 65.000 - 90.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Hybrid work schedule

Descripción de la vacante

The City of Raleigh is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to support accurate and timely payroll operations for its workforce. You will assist with payroll runs, reconciliations, and employee transactions such as garnishments and benefit deductions, while helping identify issues and improve processes.

Ideal candidates have a solid understanding of payroll regulations, strong attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to working with finance and HR teams in a mission-driven local

Formación

• Experience with payroll processes in local government or public sector preferred.
• Able to review payroll data, reconcile reports, and handle employee transactions.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills for inter-department work.

Responsabilidades

• Assist with payroll runs, reconciliations, and employee transactions (garnishments, separations, benefit deductions).
• Identify and resolve routine payroll issues and support audits.
• Contribute to process improvements and cross-training in fiscal functions.
• Provide accurate payroll information and responsive service to employees and departments.

Conocimientos

Payroll processing

Regulatory compliance

Detail oriented

Customer service

Educación

Associate's Degree in Business Administration or Accounting

Herramientas

Payroll software systems

Microsoft Excel

Descripción del empleo

Are you a payroll professional with a strong foundation and a desire to grow your expertise in a public service environment? The City of Raleigh is looking for a Senior Payroll Specialist to join our Finance Department, where you’ll play a key role in supporting accurate and timely payroll operations for the city’s workforce. In this role, you’ll apply your working knowledge of payroll processes to assist with payroll runs, reconciliations, and employee transactions such as garnishments, separations, and benefit deductions. You’ll also help identify and resolve routine payroll issues, support audits, and contribute to process improvements. While we are looking for someone to bring valuable experience to the table, this position also offers opportunities to expand your skills through collaboration, cross-training, and exposure to broader fiscal functions. This is a great opportunity for someone who’s confident in their payroll abilities, detail-oriented, and ready to take the next step in their career within a mission-driven team.

About You

The City is seeking a detail-oriented payroll professional with a solid understanding of payroll processes and a passion for accuracy. The ideal candidate will have prior experience working with payroll systems, handling employee transactions, and knowing their way around reconciliations and reporting. Understanding candidates may not have tackled every complex payroll scenario yet, we are seeking candidates who are eager to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, communicate clearly, and take pride in providing excellent service to both employees and colleagues. We are seeking an organized, dependable individual who is ready to contribute to a team that values integrity, public service, and continuous improvement. If you're looking for a role where you can build on your experience, expand your skills, and make a meaningful impact in local government—this could be the opportunity for you!

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in payroll processing within a local government, public sector, or similarly structured organization, including familiarity with timekeeping systems, deductions, and payroll cycles.
• Working knowledge of payroll regulations and compliance and regulatory requirements, such as FLSA, tax withholdings, garnishments, and benefit deductions.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, especially when reviewing payroll data, performing reconciliations, and/or preparing reports.
• Proficiency with financial or payroll software systems (e.g., Enterprise Resource Planning systems, timekeeping platforms, or Human Resources Information Systems, along with Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet and Microsoft Office tools.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the ability to respond timely and accurately to employee inquiries and collaborate effectively with internal departments.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, priorities and deadlines, while maintaining confidentiality and demonstrating sound judgment in handling sensitive payroll information.

About Us

The Payroll Division of the Finance Department processes end-to-end biweekly payroll for more than 5,500 full and part-time employees. This is a team-oriented, accuracy-driven environment where your work ensures timely, reliable compensation - and contributes to the City’s broader financial health. Our Finance Department prides itself on fiscal integrity, accountability, and smart decision-making, with a focus on efficiency, compliance, financial reporting, and strong internal controls. After onboarding, you’ll also enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule that supports work-life balance – making this an excellent opportunity for professionals who want to make an impact while enjoying flexibility.

Benefits and Perks

• After onboarding, you’ll also enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule that supports work-life balance – making this an excellent opportunity for professionals who want to make an impact while enjoying flexibility.

Education and Experience

Associate's Degree or 2 Years of College in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field, and 1 to 3 years' experience in billing, accounting, payroll, or a related field OR Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of general accounting and financial management
• Payroll principles, practices and procedures
• Principles of customer service
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Applicable City policies and procedures
• Financial and payroll software platforms
• Modern office practices and procedures including the use of standard office equipment and computer applications such as word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications

Skill In

• Managing fiscal processes
• Gathering data, analyzing findings and applying logic and reason
• Interpreting, monitoring and reporting financial information and statistics
• Authoring and preparing original reports, documents and presentations
• Monitoring project schedules, status and compliance
• Organizing and maintaining fiscal program/process documentation, schedules, records and files
• Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

Ability to

• Conduct meetings and present information to technical and non-technical audiences
• Maintain fiscal program/process documentation, schedules, records and files
• Track and organize data, financial statements and transactions
• Maintain confidentiality of information
• Use technology and software programs to extract and share data with staff
• Build positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

ADA and Other Requirements

Work Environment and Physical Effort: Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment.

Work Exposures

Work in this position does not require frequent environmental exposures.

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.