Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist JobID: 15221 Position Type:Specialist/Supervisor/Technician/ Specialist Date Posted:2/26/2026 Location:ELSC Date Available:2025-2026 LOCATION: Educational Leadership & Support CenterCLASSIFICATION:Annual Salary $76,237.00 - 1.0 FTE 12-mo position/261 days per yearSalary Non-Administrative Meet and Confer Work Group Table B - All benefits in accordance with work agreement.Reports to: Payroll and Benefits ManagerDepartment hours are 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday except for designated weeks in June/July that are 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Occasional overtime may be required during peak payroll periods or to meet project deadlines.SUMMARY:The Payroll Specialist is responsible for all aspects of processing bi-weekly payroll ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of payroll data. This role involves gathering, verifying, and inputting employee hours, deductions, benefits, and overtime while adhering to district policies, IRS regulations, and union agreements. The Payroll Specialist plays a key role in auditing payroll data to identify discrepancies and ensure the integrity of all information. They will address payroll-related inquiries, resolve issues promptly, and maintain strict confidentiality. This position requires attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and collaboration with other departments to ensure seamless payroll operations.KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:• Payroll Processing & Data Accuracy: Manage the complete bi-weekly payroll process, ensuring accurate entry and verification of employee hours, deductions, benefits, and overtime. Ensure all payroll data is accurately gathered, processed, and maintained in compliance with district policies and relevant regulations.• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Utilize strong analytical skills to address and resolve payroll and benefits-related issues, ensuring solutions align with regulations and district goals and policies.• Compliance Management: Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including timely filing and reporting of required payroll documentation such as tax filings, reports, and wage statements. Monitor and address any compliance issues to mitigate risk. • Audit & Data Accuracy: Conduct regular audits of payroll and benefits data to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to applicable regulations. Collaborate with third-party vendors to identify, correct, and prevent discrepancies in data transmission and reporting.• Regulatory Knowledge: Stay current on federal and state regulations affecting employee payroll and benefits, including but not limited to IRS rules, HIPAA protections, FLSA, FMLA, COBRA, ACA, and qualified life events. Ensure payroll practices are aligned with these regulations to avoid non-compliance. • Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with HR and other departments to ensure alignment of payroll with benefits and other employee-related data. Assist in managing the cross-departmental impact of payroll adjustments. Provide costing for union and non-union employee groups and contribute to negotiation efforts as needed.• Confidentiality & Security: Maintain the confidentiality of all payroll and employee information, adhering to privacy laws and best practices for data security. Safeguard sensitive information in all aspects of payroll processing and communication.• Problem Resolution & Employee Support: Address payroll and benefits-related inquiries from employees, providing clear, accurate, and timely responses to resolve concerns. Support employees in navigating options and resolving any payroll discrepancies.• Training & Mentorship: High comfort level with both leadership and team-player roles. Train, guide, encourage, and provide ongoing support to Payroll Assistants to ensure their work is accurate, complete, and aligns with district policies. Monitor their performance and conduct regular reviews in conjunction with Payroll and Benefits Manager to ensure consistency and quality of payroll processing.• Employee Communication & Education: Develop and implement communication plans to inform and educate employees on payroll functions. Conduct meetings and provide guidance to enhance staff knowledge of payroll submission requirements.• Vendor Relationship Management: Establish and maintain positive, professional relationships with vendors to ensure the delivery of high-quality services. Collaborate to resolve any issues with programs and ensure timely updates and accurate data transmission.KEY ROLE EXPECTATIONS:Customer Service: Providing efficient and professional service is critical, as employees and vendors will rely on clear and timely communication regarding payroll and benefits.Dependability, Prioritization, and Time Management: Being punctual and dependable helps ensure work is completed, deadlines are met, and workload distribution remains equitable. Roles face competing demands, so being able to prioritize tasks is important for completing routine work and handling issues as they arise.Attention to Detail: Given the complexity of payroll and benefits administration, accuracy is essential to avoid costly mistakes or miscommunications. It is important to maintain a high expectation for accountability to district employees.Analytical Skills: Payroll and benefits management often requires problem-solving, troubleshooting, and adapting to new regulations or internal changes. Strong critical thinking is essential for identifying and resolving discrepancies or inefficiencies.Ownership of Responsibilities: Taking ownership goes beyond simply completing assigned tasks-it's about taking initiative and demonstrating a sense of accountability for the success of the team and the department as a whole. Actively looking for opportunities to help, whether it's volunteering for additional tasks, supporting colleagues during busy times, or stepping in when something needs attention creates a dynamic environment where everyone pitches in. Ownership also involves identifying areas for improvement, suggesting solutions, and taking the lead on initiatives that improve department performance.Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing priorities is crucial in a dynamic environment, where last-minute changes can occur in payroll or benefits processing.Collaboration: Working well both independently and with other team members is key to ensuring smooth workflow and productively resolving problems that may arise in a team setting. Working effectively with other departments ensures seamless integration of payroll and benefits processes. This involves sharing information, troubleshooting issues, and coordinating educational efforts across different areas to support overall organizational goals and maintain smooth operations.Relationship Building: Building good relationships with employees, vendors, and the public helps foster trust and ensures effective communication.Clear Communication: Whether explaining complex details or answering routine questions, clarity and understanding in both written and spoken communication will be vital.Professionalism: Upholding confidentiality and exhibiting a professional demeanor promotes a culture of trust and ensures sensitive payroll and benefits information is handled appropriately.Inclusivity: Supporting an environment of respect and inclusion is important to creating a positive work culture and allowing all employees to feel valued and heard.Willingness to Work Beyond Standard Hours: Demonstrate the ability to manage workloads that may occasionally require working beyond the standard 40 hours to meet deadlines, ensure accuracy, and complete essential tasks. This includes being proactive in managing time to ensure the work gets done, even during peak periods or when unexpected challenges arise, while maintaining a positive attitude and a focus on quality. This statement reflects the expectation of flexibility and commitment to ensuring responsibilities are fulfilled, even if that means working extra hours occasionally.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each key responsibility and expectation satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field preferred.• Three or more years of experience with customer service and demonstrated skill in advanced use of, and ability to train others in, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) including payroll processing.• Experience integrating new technologies and online resources into work practices.• Strong computer skills including accurate data entry, professional use of email, and proficient utilization of Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite products.• Proven experience working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities with frequent interruptions.LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, understand, and communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form. Ability to effectively write reports, training documents, and communications to varied stakeholder groups and respond to questions from staff.MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:Ability to perform basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, decimals and fractions. Ability to use formulas, spreadsheets, calculators, and databases. Ability to assist staff in implementing these mathematical concepts and tools.REASONING ABILITY:Ability to solve problems effectively. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and forward 0-24 inches and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this job. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 0-12 feet and occasionally up to 20 feet, such as instructional materials, equipment, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus while conducting classes or working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc.WORK ENVIRONMENT:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet but depends on the volume of employees and conversations occurring at any given time. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. workday. The employee will frequently work in different areas of the district including in/at desks, on or near the floor, standing, in movement while instructing or assisting others, etc. The employee will usually work in indoor temperatures. The information contained in this job description follows the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. The Cedar Rapids Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Federal law obligates an employer to provide reasonable accommodation(s) for the known disabilities of applicants, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the employer. If you require accommodation in the hiring process, contact Human Resources at or 319-558-2747.

Created: 2026-03-04