Senior Payroll Specialist - Hybrid (Public Sector)

City of Raleigh; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Raleigh is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to join its Finance Department, supporting accurate and timely payroll operations for the city’s workforce. You’ll handle data verification, audits, garnishments, and deductions while contributing to process improvements in a mission-driven environment.

Ideal candidates bring payroll experience in government settings, strong attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate across departments.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or 2 years of college in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field, and 1–3 years' experience in billing, accounting, payroll, or a related field.
• Equivalent combination of training and/or experience may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Perform end-to-end payroll processing, including data verification, audits, and corrections.
• Manage garnishments, child support orders, terminations/separations, and retirements with precision.
• Support payroll-related account reconciliations and identify discrepancies.
• Maintain payroll spreadsheets, reports, and documentation that are audit ready.
• Respond to employee and department inquiries about payroll matters.
• Assist with internal audits and compliance reviews.
• Maintain confidential payroll records in line with retention policies.
• Take on related fiscal and administrative duties for Payroll Division and City goals.

Skills

Payroll processing

Timekeeping systems

Regulatory compliance

Attention to detail

Payroll software

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Associate degree or 2 years of college in Business Administration/Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Timekeeping platforms

HRIS

Excel

Job description

The City of Raleigh is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to join its Finance Department, supporting accurate and timely payroll operations for the city’s workforce. You’ll handle data verification, audits, garnishments, and deductions while contributing to process improvements in a mission-driven environment.

Ideal candidates bring payroll experience in government settings, strong attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate across departments.