Position:                               Payroll Specialist

DEPARTMENT:                        Auditor

WORK SCHEDULE:                  8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F

JOB CATEGORY:                      COMOT (Computer, Office Machine Operation, Technician)

DATE WRITTEN:  October 2024                                             STATUS:  Full-Time

DATE REVISED:                                                                       FLSA STATUS:  Non-Exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.   St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

Payroll Specialist for the St. Joseph County Auditor’s Office, responsible for processing payroll for County employees.

DUTIES:

Process Payroll: Input, calculate, and process employee salaries, wages, adjustments, garnishments, and deductions.

Submitting Payments: Submit payments based on deductions and withholdings to the appropriate entities including state and federal income tax withholding, FICA, support orders, and garnishments.

Maintain Records: Enter and maintain employee pay record files and financial benefit election accounts.

Reporting: Assist in Quarterly and Year End Reporting and audits including 941 and W2 generation. Work with departments and/or Elected officials to assist them in understanding standard Payroll Reports.

Training: Assist with training departments on utilizing timekeeping systems and payroll interfaces.

Other duties as assigned.

I.  JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

High school diploma or GED.

Experience with payroll or other financial fields preferred.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare detailed written reports as required.

Ability to operate standard office equipment, and utilize basic software, above average spreadsheet proficiency preferred.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, County employees, State Auditor’s Office, all taxing units of St. Joseph County, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to comply with all employer and department polices and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department records and information according to state requirements.

Ability to compile, analyze and evaluate data, make determinations and present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to work with others in a team environment, often amidst frequent distractions and interruptions, and under pressure from formal schedules and deadlines.

Ability to occasionally work extended, evening and/or weekend hours and occasionally travel out of town for meetings/conferences, sometimes overnight.

II.  RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs duties according to Department policies and procedures, with priorities primarily determined by a formal schedule and established deadlines.  Assignments are guided by definite objectives using a variety of methods or procedures, with incumbent referring to supervisor for unusual matters, such as policy interpretations.  Decisions are always determined by specific instructions or existing, well-established policies and procedures.  Work is reviewed primarily for compliance with legal requirements and Department policy.  Errors in work are usually detected or prevented through standard bookkeeping checks and legally defined procedures.  Undetected errors could result in loss of time to correct error and/or inconvenience to other departments/employees.

III.  PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, County employees, State Auditor’s Office, and the public for the purpose of exchanging information.

Incumbent reports directly to Payroll Director.

IV.  PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment with no unusual physical demands.  Incumbent occasionally works extended, evening and/or weekend hours and occasionally travels out of town for meetings/conferences, sometimes overnight. 

APPLICANT/EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The job description for the position of Payroll Specialist for the St. Joseph County Auditor’s Office describes the duties and responsibilities for employment in this position.  I acknowledge that I have received this job description and understand that it is not a contract of employment.  I am responsible for reading this job description and complying with all job duties, requirements and responsibilities contained herein, and any subsequent revisions.