Vallejo, CA – Lead Payroll Technician

GovHRUSA; Vallejo (CA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vallejo City Unified School District is seeking a Lead Payroll Technician to oversee the district's payroll operations onsite. You will supervise staff, ensure timely payroll processing, and maintain accurate payroll records in a public-education setting.

The role requires strong knowledge of payroll procedures, excellent Excel skills, and experience with Escape Software and Tyler Munis. This is a full-time onsite position reporting to the Payroll Manager in Fiscal Services.

Qualifications

• High school diploma plus 20 college units in a related field; 2 years accounting experience preferred.
• Public-school setting experience preferred.
• Knowledge of payroll procedures and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll staff and direct assigned payroll tasks.
• Maintain and process district payroll records and reconciliations.
• Prepare quarterly and annual payroll reports and reconcile errors.
• Coordinate payroll processing with district schools and departments.
• Ensure compliance with payroll laws, policies, and deadlines.
• Update payroll data and lead documentation improvements.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Staff training

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma + 20 college units

Tools

Escape Software

Tyler Munis

Microsoft Excel

Job description

VALLEJO CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

LEAD PAYROLL TECHNICIAN

Title: Lead Payroll Technician

Reports To: Payroll Manager

Department: Fiscal Services

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

—up to 6 months- Full-Time – Onsite

Under the direction of the Payroll Manager, provide lead direction and guidance for the timely preparation of the district’s payrolls; direct personnel in the performance of assigned accounting duties; maintain and review the district’s accounting/payroll and statistical records.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Serve in a lead capacity in the payroll department.
• Provide work direction and guidance to staff on assigned payroll responsibilities.
• Maintain and process the district payroll records.
• Process and record specialized payroll transactions and process retirement and termination paperwork.
• Communicate with departments and personnel to obtain and provide information, resolve discrepancies, and correct errors.
• Verify Human Resources pay calculations and employee leave documentation.
• Update payroll data through computerized systems.
• Assist in the preparation of quarterly and annual payroll reports and reconciliation of payroll errors.
• Coordinate and prepare pay calculations for all District staff.
• Maintain payroll databases and ensure processing of updates.
• Answer questions regarding contracts as they relate to payroll.
• Develop and update payroll procedures and record-keeping methods.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reconciliations with County Office of Education records.
• Monitor accounting procedures related to employee benefits and voluntary deductions.
• Coordinate payroll processing with District schools and departments.
• Monitor compliance with laws, regulations, procedures, and District payroll policies.
• Direct and participate in reconciling payroll errors.
• Meet payroll deadlines established by the County Office of Education.
• Prepare and analyze leave banks and ensure employee leave balances are updated timely.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from high school is supplemented by twenty (20) college units in a related field and two (2) years of progressively responsible accounting-related experience, preferably in a public-school setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Payroll preparation, verification, maintenance and processing procedures.
• Proficient with Escape Software (Escape Online/Frontline Education)-must have
• Proficient with Tyler Munis software
• Accounting, bookkeeping and financial record-keeping principles.
• Applicable education code requirements and related laws.
• Financial and statistical record-keeping techniques.
• Training and providing work direction.
• Advanced spreadsheet applications including Microsoft Excel.
• Payroll administration systems and office technology.

Ability to:

• Train and provide work direction to others.
• Perform complex payroll and accounting work.
• Maintain accurate financial and payroll records.
• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Plan and organize work effectively.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Work independently and confidentially with discretion.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environment: Office environment.

Physical Requirements: Frequent keyboarding, repetitive hand motions, sitting, use of office equipment, vision and hearing required for office work.

Why Join MGT?

At MGT, we help government and public-sector organizations solve complex challenges through innovative consulting, technology, and data-driven solutions.

Compensation and Benefits

• The starting salary range is $63-$65/hr

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Vallejo City Unified School District is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws.

Posted: 2026-08-12