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Job Summary
As a Payroll Specialist for El Paso County, you are the powerhouse ensuring every employee is paid with accuracy, timeliness, and absolute compliance. You orchestrate the complex bi-weekly payroll process, flawlessly reconciling benefits, deductions, and garnishments while protecting sensitive data with the highest standards of confidentiality and precision.
But your impact goes far beyond processing numbers—you’re a strategic partner and problem-solver, delivering expert guidance to departments, employees, and agencies. You resolve complex payroll challenges, ensure benefits, taxes, and leave records are impeccable, and keep operations running like clockwork. Your expertise builds trust, drives efficiency, and guarantees that every County employee receives the recognition and reward they’ve earned—without a single misstep. APPLY TODAY!!!
Hiring Range: $57,100.00 - $67,600.00 Annually
This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, subject to change.
Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.
Performs a variety of accounting and data entry functions to process the bi-weekly County payroll. Ensures that benefits, insurance, wage garnishments, and payment changes are properly reconciled. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Analyzes and approves electronic time sheets and payroll for El Paso County employees, ensuring that all overtime, mileage, hourly wage data, sick and vacation deductions, and accrual data are correct. Maintains all County employees' pay records and ensures records are in compliance with Federal regulations. Monitors all Federal, State, and County policies and approves information for computer input.
- Administers bi-weekly payroll for all County employees. Produces detailed medical, dental, life, and disability insurance reports to maintain monthly benefits. Approves, balances, and reviews payroll reports for accuracy. Provides departments with payroll checks, direct deposits, and reports after the final payroll is run.
- Oversees the implementation of court-ordered garnishments, IRS levies, and wage assignment procedures. Provides employee income verifications for personnel, lending institutions, and social security. Provides employment information to outside agencies or attorneys regarding employee claims or lawsuits. Maintains correct W-2 data for all employees for reporting to the IRS.
- Monitors all IRS regulations and County policies and procedures and determines compliance by county department.
- Makes final approval and prepares all deferred compensation, retirement, and State tax details for wire transfers; provides information to the Treasurer's Office each payday. Determines adjustments to be made to payroll on or before each payday. Provides information to the Accounts Payable section on payday for cover checks. Maintains family, medical, and disability leave status records on employees. Provides and maintains all payroll related Family and Medical Leave Act records to departments.
- Approves work submitted by departments for computer input. Corrects errors and provides guidance and training when necessary. Provides final approval to generate the payroll output.
- Approves payment of all State, Federal, and social security taxes, ensuring compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulations.
- Performs other duties as required.
Supervision Exercised: This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.
Supervision Received: Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Knowledge of automated accounting systems and payroll methods preferred.
- Must be detail oriented and ensure accuracy in work. Ability to enter data in applicable databases timely and accurately.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to communicate and work effectively with co-workers, County staff, and the public. Ability to provide excellent customer service.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, calculator, and telephone.
- Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
- High school diploma or equivalent education.
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Two years of payroll or related experience.
- Associate’s degree in a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.
- Associate's degree or higher in business or related field.
- Coursework and/or working knowledge of IRS guidelines and regulations.
- Must pass conditional post offer background investigation and drug screen.
Work Conditions
Duties are primarily performed in an office environment and remote work environment dependent upon Department discretion and business needs.
The classification specification above is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities and minimum qualifications; specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and environmental conditions will vary depending on the needs of the department/office and the particular assignment. Changes to this document may only be made by a member of the Human Resources Department.
VISION
El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery.
PURPOSE
We provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of our residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive.
El Paso County is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer.
El Paso County adheres to Federal drug screening guidelines and requires a pre-employment drug screen.