PAYROLL SPECIALIST

Salary: $25.65 - $38.48 Hourly Location : Surprise, AZ Job Type: Full-Time Regular Job Number: 26-00249 Department: HUMAN RESOURCES Opening Date: 02/10/2026 Closing Date: Continuous We're looking for an experienced and talented Payroll Specialist to join our dynamic and inclusive team! You will be responsible for payroll processing and ensuring accurate and timely payment to our employees. To be successful, you will have at least two years of full-cycle payroll processing experience and a thorough understanding of payroll tax regulations. A successful candidate will have the opportunity to demonstrate their attention to detail and will possess strong organizational, communication and problem-solving skills. If you have a passion for payroll and want to be part of an organization that values each employee and their contributions, then we want to hear from you! SUMMARY Incumbents are engaged in daily payroll functions and process citywide biweekly payroll and work with highly sensitive, confidential personnel information. Responsibilities include applying applicable employee policy and mandated legislative regulations, data entry and maintenance of databases and logs, processing vendor/agency interface payments, termination pay, retroactive pay and deductions, preparing quarterly and annual reports, assisting in the development and training of work procedures, providing customer assistance, and insuring internal/external deadlines are met. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High School Diploma or G.E.D. and two years full-cycle payroll processing experience; additional education cannot be substituted for experience. CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS None SELECTION PROCESS Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process to include a panel interview. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include: Fingerprinting Criminal Background screening E-Verify Education and Experience Verification To view the full job description, including work environment and physical demands, click HERE The City of Surprise is an EEO/ADA reasonable accommodation employer. The City of Surprise offers a broad range of inclusive employee benefits to help employees in their work and personal lives. We are committed to a total rewards strategy that provides our employees with competitive compensation, generous benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance for our diverse workforce. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, retirement, and a variety of work/life programs, including generous paid time off and twelve holidays. For additional benefit information, please 01 I understand all criminal convictions (felonies and/or misdemeanors including DUIs) that occurred as an adult (age 18 or older) must be disclosed when answering Question 7 and disclosed in full detail in Question 8 in the Agency-Wide Questions section of this application. I also understand my failure to disclose a conviction as outlined in Question 8 may be grounds for elimination of further consideration and/or a job offer to be rescinded. I acknowledge the above statement. 02 Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? Yes No 03 Are you currently employed by the City of Surprise? Yes No 04 Select the option that applies to your highest level of education completed: Master's Degree, or higher Bachelor's Degree Associate's Degree High School diploma or G.E.D. awarded None of the above 05 How many years of full-cycle payroll processing experience do you possess? 6 years or more 4 years to less than 6 years 2 years to less than 4 years Less than 2 years None of the above 06 If you have payroll experience, please indicate which best describes the size of the payroll for which you were/are responsible for: More than 2500 employees 1001 - 2500 employees 501 - 1000 employees 101 - 500 employees 100 or less employees No experience in this area 07 Please describe your experience with Payroll software setup, such as updating tax tables, creating new Earnings/Deduction codes, adding new direct deposit banking information, etc. If you do not have this experience, please write "N/A". 08 Please select the areas in which you have direct experience (check all that apply): Processing New Hires Verify personnel action entry is accurate Garnishments/Levies/Support Orders Direct Deposit Payroll Liability Payments, such as Taxes Workers Compensation/Military/Paid Leave Quarterly Tax Returns Terminations/Resignations Tuition Reimbursement Calculating Wage Assignments Year-end payroll processing None of the above 09 For each box checked in question #8, please briefly explain your experience, including the number of years experience you have for each category. If you do not have this experience, please write "N/A". 10 Do you have experience using Tyler Technologies MUNIS Payroll Software? Yes No 11 Do you have experience using Workday Payroll Software? Yes No 12 Do you have experience working for or with city, county, state, or the federal government? Yes No 13 If you answered Yes to question #12, did you process payroll for Public Safety Personnel (Fire/Police departments, or other)? Please briefly explain. If you do not have this experience, please write "N/A". 14 Please name the payroll system(s) you have used. If you don't have this experience, please write "N/A". 15 Have you participated in new Payroll software implementations? Yes No 16 List any supplemental coursework and/or training in payroll that you have completed. Please also detail this information on your application. If none, please write "N/A". Required Question

Created: 2026-03-10