Do you have experience with full cycle payroll processing and enjoy working with large amounts of data? If so, Human Resources at the City of Bellingham has the next opportunity for you as a Payroll Lead.

At the City of Bellingham, the Payroll Lead is responsible for processing all phases of semi-monthly payroll cycle while ensuring the accuracy of payroll calculations and working under time constraints. Responds to technical payroll questions, explains policies and procedures and resolves issues. Processes payroll adjustments; calculates and manually prepares retroactive pay adjustments, overtime adjustments, and employee terminations. Enters, processes and audits confidential payroll data; maintains confidential employee records. Ensures compliance with State and Federal regulations, City policies, Collective Bargaining Agreements and departmental policies and procedures. 

The current starting hourly rate is $30.19. The full hourly range for this position is $30.19/hour - $36.70/hour. The City of Bellingham offers generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays. Our full time and part time employees receive medical, dental, vision, retirement options, and access to our employee assistance program.

This position is open until filled with a first review on Friday, 6/17/2022 at 4:30 pm. The position may be closed at any time following the first review. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:
Payroll Processing

1. Performs routine and complex tasks necessary to run a payroll cycle following established departmental processes and procedures; ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreements, City Policies, and State and Federal regulations.
2. Receives and releases time entry documents. Audits and verifies all time keeping records for accuracy and completeness based on employee group rules and collective bargaining agreements. Works with departments to research and resolve discrepancies with employee time sheets in a timely manner.
3. Identifies and troubleshoots system calculation errors; assists Human Resources and IT staff in researching, testing and resolving system errors. Maintains documentation of problem resolution.
4. Researches, analyzes, computes, prepares, and processes special payroll transactions such as liens, reimbursements, and other special payments.
5. Calculates and manually prepares retroactive pay adjustments, overtime adjustments, compensatory time cash outs, time sheet corrections, retirement plan changes, FLSA and leave cash outs, and employee final pay at separation. Provides explanation of calculations to employees as necessary.
6. Generates, verifies, balances, and processes payroll deductions.
7. Monitors, calculates and processes required step increases and adjustments for all employee groups.
8. Generates leave bank accruals and usage audits; monitors leave banks for appropriate accruals and adjustments.
9. Reviews and reconciles complex payroll reports to ensure proper payment of wages, taxes, mandatory and voluntary deductions.
10. Receives Workers’ Compensation vouchers. Calculates pay deductions and re-credits.
11. Documents payroll procedures, processes and changes. Participates in analyzing existing systems and procedures; recommends payroll process improvements to the Payroll Supervisor.

1. Participates in maintaining a complex human resource information system (HRIS); enters, codes, processes and audits confidential employee and payroll data to ensure accurate records for payroll, employee benefits and reporting.
2. Audits integrity of data entered by department and payroll staff during payroll processing as recommended by State Auditors.
3. Compiles and submits statistical information for a variety of reporting agencies; prepares supplemental data as necessary; develops spreadsheets of varying complexity.
4. Completes employment verification requests where authorized by employee release and State and Federal statutes.
5. Assists in data entry, data review and related tasks during annual benefit open enrollment.
6. Processes employee benefit enrollments, status changes and terminations.

1. Completes required reporting for State, Federal and other agencies (e.g. Department of Retirement Systems) on a regular and re-occurring basis; ensures compliance with reporting requirements.  
2. Analyzes, interprets and ensures compliance with complex and varied reporting requirements and calculations.
3. Prepares and sends ACH transfers, EDI payment and associated reports for files such as direct deposits, positive pay, deferred compensation, Department of Retirement Systems contributions, deductions, benefits, garnishments, payroll taxes, W-2’s and all similar plans/reports.
4. Generates and analyzes routine and ad-hoc reports as needed.

1. Responsible for maintenance of electronic and paper payroll records in compliance with state records retention guidelines including archiving, documenting retention requirements and retrieving records as needed.
2. Maintains up to date knowledge of changes to terms of collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and City policies which impact payroll; implements terms of CBA. Assists HR Analysts with researching payroll related CBA implementation issues.
3. Provides information to City staff. Researches, responds, and provides documentation in a timely manner to employees regarding pay, deductions, retroactive pay, leave accruals, and other payroll related issues.
4. Provides instruction and guidance to City staff regarding the use of HRIS system including entry and approval of timesheets, online access to pay statements.
5. Notifies appropriate Human Resources staff of changes in benefit coverage for individual employees as needed.
6. Develops schedules and methods to ensure work is completed accurately and in a timely manner.

1. Performs other related duties of a similar nature.

• Correctable visual acuity to read a computer screen and a typeset page.
• Fine finger dexterity to manipulate computer keyboard and mouse.
• Ability to communicate sufficiently to serve internal and external clients.
• Dexterity and near distance visual perception sufficient to operate office equipment, design documents and web pages and handle files and paperwork; and,
• Transport 10-25 lbs. occasionally.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Associate degree with an emphasis in payroll administration, accounting, finance or related field preferred.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in full cycle payroll processing.
• Two years of experience in the operation and utilization of a Human Resources Information System for payroll processing or similar.
• Demonstrated experience and strong skills in utilization of computer software, including spreadsheet, word processing, data/entry/retrieval, file maintenance and email. A high level of proficiency in Excel required.
• Finance or accounting experience preferred.
• Previous governmental payroll experience preferred.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal conviction and local background check.
• Ten-key by touch required.
• All City Employees are expected to follow COVID related mandates and requirements.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questionnaire. Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training. 

Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for June 30, 2022. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around June 24, 2022.

Follow-up Interviews and a Skills Assessment are tentatively scheduled for July 7, 2022. 

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently.

Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.