Time and Attendance Associate

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking a Time and Attendance Associate - Senior Support to join the Office of Physical Plant's Time and Attendance Department. The role focuses on accurate timecard processing and exceptional customer service for university staff, supervisors, and managers.

The successful candidate will entry, audit, and submit timecards, resolve discrepancies, ensure compliance with policies, and collaborate with campus teams to streamline timekeeping processes and reporting.

Qualifications

• Associate Degree required.
• 4+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Enter, process, audit, and submit timecards accurately and timely.
• Resolve timekeeping discrepancies and adjust records as needed.
• Validate time, absence, holiday, overtime, and wage rate information.
• Provide guidance on timekeeping policies and procedures.
• Develop training materials and resources for timekeeping.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to improve processes and reporting.
• Generate reports to identify trends and support decisions.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Data management

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Customer service

Integrity

Written and verbal communication

Teamwork

Education

Associate Degree

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Office of Business Administration is seeking a self-motivated, detail-oriented individual with a commitment to teamwork to join the Office of Physical Plant (OPP) Time and Attendance Department as a Time and Attendance Associate - Senior Support .

The OPP Time and Attendance Office supports approximately 1,300 technical service employees at University Park and across the Commonwealth Campus Facilities Operations. This position plays a vital role in ensuring the accurate and timely processing of employee time and attendance records while providing exceptional customer service and support to employees, supervisors, and managers.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the accurate and efficient entry, processing, auditing, and submission of timecards; resolving timekeeping discrepancies and adjustments; validating time, absence, holiday, overtime, and wage rate information; providing guidance on timekeeping policies and procedures; and collaborating with stakeholders to identify and implement process improvements.

This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .

Responsibilities Include, but Are Not Limited To:

• Monitor and manage bi-weekly payroll deadlines and related data submissions to ensure accurate and timely processing of time and attendance records for Commonwealth Campus Facilities Technical Service employees.
• Provide timekeeping support for University Park Technical Service employees and guidance and oversight related to OPP staff employee timekeeping practices.
• Monitor and update employee time balances and conduct audits to ensure time records and approval workflows are complete and accurate.
• Provide proactive guidance and support to employees, supervisors, and managers regarding time entry procedures, timekeeping policies, and system functionality.
• Troubleshoot timecard issues, facilitate corrections and resubmissions, and ensure timely resolution of payroll-related concerns.
• Develop and maintain training materials, job aids, resources related to timekeeping procedures and best practices.
• Review, validate, and accurately apply leave of absence, overtime, holiday, shift differential, and other payroll-related codes in accordance with University policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Advise employees and managers on timekeeping policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Investigate and resolve payroll integration issues between work unit and enterprise systems, partnering with stakeholders as needed.
• Perform various bi-weekly, monthly, and ad hoc audits to ensure payroll accuracy, data integrity, and compliance with University requirements.
• Collaborate with the WorkLion Team (HR Tech), Central Payroll, Human Resources, Penn State IT, and other stakeholders to identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer service.
• Cooperate and coordinate with departments across OPP and the University to strengthen partnerships, resolve issues, and improve operational effectiveness.
• Assist with testing, validation, and implementation of system enhancements, upgrades, and new timekeeping processes.
• Generate and analyze reports to identify trends, address discrepancies, and support operational decision-making.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism while handling sensitive employee and payroll information.

The successful candidate for this position must possess:

• Advanced knowledge of Excel and data management skills.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and customer service skills.
• High level of integrity, accuracy, and self-management.
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently, and within a team environment, manage multiple priorities in a high volume environment, and demonstrate a genuine appreciation in working with diverse audiences.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

• Associate Degree
• 4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experienc