Payroll Specialist

The MESD Payroll department plays a critical role in ensuring smooth and efficient operations within our district and component districts. Its primary purpose revolves around accurately and promptly compensating the dedicated educators, staff, and personnel who contribute to the growth and success of our students.
MESD is recruiting a Payroll Specialist who is dedicated to fulfilling our mission, vision and values. The Payroll Specialist must have a basic understanding of financial systems, accounting and payroll processing. The Payroll Specialist will frequently interact with Human Resources, Business Services, supervisors and staff.
Department: Human Resources/Payroll
Reports to: Assistant HR Director
Classification/Range: Classified/Range 13
Schedule: 260 days, 8 hours per day
Interview Timeline: Begins November 1, 2023
POSITION PURPOSE:
The position will assist component districts and the MESD in specialized and technical payroll areas involving the coordination, processing, and maintenance of employee payroll and benefits. Essential functions are working under limited supervision following standardized practices or methods.
NATURE & SCOPE:
Responsible for processing employee payrolls and PERS according to generally accepted accounting procedures, PERS, Wage and Hour, and MESD policies. Experience with advanced database management, Infinite Visions, TalentEd, and Business Plus. Ability to enter and verify data accurately and rapidly to maintain a database.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Prepares and maintains all records and files pertaining to payroll in accordance with district policy and federal and state laws.
• Set up employee information in the system.
• Obtains required forms for new employees.
• Prepares manual checks for terminated employees, retroactive payments, adjustments for overpayments, inputs, and edits adjustment files and garnishments.
• Processes the payroll in time to meet the direct deposit requirement.
• TimeCard Online, review and emails for awaiting approvals and batching.
• Absence Management, review, and emails waiting for approvals and batching.
• Monitor and track eligibility for PERS contributions and deductions.
• Prepares business office reports, compiles data from accounting and information systems records, performs account reconciliation functions, and prepares journal entries.
• Responds to requests for information and assistance from MESD and component district employees and, together with other payroll colleagues, troubleshoots and resolves problems and concerns.
• Responsible for the distribution of the temporary and regular employee paychecks.
• Serves as the backup person in the absence of Sr. Payroll Specialist.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• Assists in other functional areas in the Human Resources and Payroll office to cover relief and maintain schedules.
• Attends staff meetings.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:
Equity: Lead and support regional equity initiatives
Vision: Lead with vision, follow-through and student focus.
Trust: Develop trust among coworkers and students through honesty and fairness.
Communication: Communicate in an inclusive, effective and collaborative manner.
Personal Qualities: Be respectful, excel in customer service, caring, humble and courageous.
Agency-wide perspective: Be involved in and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD programs and services.
Attendance: Daily and consistent attendance and puncuality are paramount as this provides consistency and alignment with students, peers and programming outcomes.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Associates Degree or higher in Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field preferred
• Two or more years of experience processing payroll
• Knowledge of payroll procedures and federal and state regulations.
• Basic to intermediate knowledge of Oregon, Washington and Federal tax laws
• Basic to intermediate knowledge of payroll processing, business accounting and financial software
• Knowledge of computerized payroll and business systems, and spreadsheet applications.
• Ability to apply established procedures and guidelines to the keeping of accounts, performance of assigned functions, and preparation of reports.
• Possess exceptional organizational skills, be detail-oriented, and can work independently to manage your time to meet deadlines.
• Possess the ability to deal with sensitive information and recognize the need for confidentiality.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required
• Experience using Powerschool, BusinessPlus, Infinite Visions or Cognos
• Two or more years in an education setting or public sector

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Associates Degree or higher in Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field preferred, and/or
• Two to five years of experience processing complex payroll

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is completed in a general office environment with low to moderate noise. Hybrid scheduling is optional.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Mobility: Move around the building and inside office spaces, access file cabinets, office equipment, etc
• Lifting: Lift boxes up to 20 lbs
• Vision: Observe details at close range
• Dexterity: Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and and computer printer
• Hearing/speaking: The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Emotional/Psychological: Maintain a professionalism in emotionally charged or challenging situations

BENEFITS:

• District pays full medical, dental and vision premiums for eligible employees and dependents
• Two medical insurance plan options:
• Group Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Opt-Out option
• MESD pays employee's 6% Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) contribution
• Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave and personal time off
• Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development

This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable state and federal statutes. This position does not carry administrative authority. All commitments outside of authorized programs and services are subject to prior approval by the supervisor of this position.
NOTE: The description contained herein reflects general details as necessary to describe the principle functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
MESD recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of MESD that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veterans status, genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment.
Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Human Resources Director for additional information or assistance. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.