Payroll Specialist

Join the City of Hillsboro's Finance Department as a Payroll Specialist. This engaging role is perfect for payroll professionals or individuals with payroll experience who excel at solving problems. You'll be part of a dynamic Payroll team, collaborating with a Manager and two Payroll Specialists to ensure the smooth and timely payment of our 1400+ employees on a semi-monthly basis.
The Role
As a Payroll Specialist, your primary role involves performing intricate tasks related to the City's full-cycle payroll process. Each day presents unique challenges, and your responsibilities include responding to employee inquiries via email and phone, processing system changes, fulfilling ad hoc reporting requests, and staying abreast of industry changes affecting municipal payroll.
This position demands a keen attention to detail. As part of our small yet highly effective team, we take pride in our analytical and critical thinking skills, enabling us to navigate situations ranging from simple to complex. Successful individuals in this role embrace challenges, recognizing that creative solutions are sometimes necessary. We foster a culture of continuous learning and growth, supporting each other in our daily work by leveraging the diverse knowledge and skill set within our team to find optimal solutions.
Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and Process: Oversee payroll and account billing functions, potentially serving as a lead worker by assigning and monitoring task completion.
• Semi-Monthly Payroll: Process and verify semi-monthly payroll, managing deduction amounts and Public Employee Retirement System data.
• Financial Management: Prepare monthly vouchers, balance statements, and payment remittances. Maintain files, databases, and related system information. Review, validate, and prepare account information, journal entries, fiscal transactions, and orders.
• Audits and Compliance: Research information, monitor accounts, conduct audits, and reconcile discrepancies. Ensure document and process compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Customer Assistance: Assist internal and external customers by providing information on programs, services, policies, and procedures.
• Reporting and Training: Prepare and maintain reports, statements, checks, vouchers, spreadsheets, and other financial documentation. Provide training to staff on procedures and systems within your area of responsibility.
  Record Management: Manage records and information in any format, adhering to applicable statutes, regulations, City policy, guidance, and the records retention schedule.

For the classification description that describes the scope of the work this position performs and job requirements, click on this link: Payroll Specialist

• High School Diploma or GED; AND
• 4 years of accounting, bookkeeping, or payroll related experience; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred but not required
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required

The City of Hillsboro recognizes that some applicants, particularly women, people with disabilities, and people of color do not always apply for positions unless they directly meet all the qualifications. We greatly encourage you to apply and welcome applicants from diverse and varied backgrounds. Transferable skills WILL be considered when reviewing applications for meeting minimum qualifications.
Commitment to Equity
At the City of Hillsboro, we believe that hiring a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve is essential to delivering exceptional City services and programs. The City of Hillsboro is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees to thrive. We value, respect, and empower employees as unique individuals with authentic voices and diverse ideas.
Bilingual incentive pay available
Preference will be given to candidates who are bilingual in Spanish/English and bilingualism is our ideal as opportunities for community engagement abound.
Employees who can demonstrate the ability to speak Spanish, or any language spoken by over ten percent (10%) of City residents as documented by the most recent U.S. Census, at a proficiency level determined by a fluency test administered by the City, will receive a monthly premium of three percent (3%) of their regular base pay.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline*
Application Opens:Monday, January 8, 2024Application Closes:Sunday, January 28, 2024Application Reviews:Week of January 29, 2024Round 1 Interviews:*Anticipated February 8-9, 2024Round 2 Interviews: *Anticipated Week of February 11, 2024*This schedule is subject to change based on City of Hillsboro needs.Employment Type: Full Time