Payroll Specialist

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Payroll Specialist

Salary

$57,220.80 - $71,531.20 Annually

Location

390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2024-00121

Division

Regional Administration

Department

Payroll

Opening Date

04/18/2024

Closing Date

5/2/2024 11:59 PM Central

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

WHO WE ARE

After an initial period of on-site work, this position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

We are theMetropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website. (https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/The-Council-Who-We-Are.aspx)

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Regional Administration division is seeking a Payroll Specialist to work within Finance and Operations. Finance and Operationsprovides agency-wide financial, administrative, and operational services supporting the Metropolitan Council as a whole and its individual divisions. These services include accounting, financial reporting and payroll; the Council’s operating and capital budgets; contracts and procurement; computerized systems for financial and personnel information; risk management; treasury functions; and services supporting the Council’s headquarters facilities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

As a Payroll Specialist, you will provide timely and accurate preparation of pay in a central payroll unit for Metropolitan Council employees. You will audit, balance, and correct payroll documents, update our computerized payroll system, prepare deduction payment documents, diagnose issues and errors, and resolve routine problems.

What you would do in this job

• Analyze payroll functions by querying, reviewing reports, and applying expertise in all payroll data systems, including multiple time entry applications.

• Process the Council's biweekly payroll journals and entries; evaluate for accuracy, completeness, and conformity with established contracts and Council procedures.

• Evaluate current manual payroll processes and identify areas prone to errors, inefficiencies, and find opportunities for automation.

• Maintain accurate and confidential payroll records for all employees and ensure proper retention.

• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll matters or concerns.

• Generate payroll reports and audit the data for accuracy and compliance.

• Identify and resolve any discrepancies or errors in payroll records.

• Document payroll processes and procedures and assist in training colleagues on payroll-related tasks and systems.

• Perform periodic audits and reconciliations of payroll data to ensure accuracy.

• Collaborate with other departments to resolve payroll issues and assist in continuous improvement.

• Assist in year-end payroll tasks.

• Stay updated on industry best practices and payroll trends including federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.

• Other related duties, as assigned.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Education: High School diploma or equivalent.

Experience: Three (3) years of related experience in a payroll or accounting/finance position. One of the three years can be substituted with a similar office position which emphasizes customer service.

Equivalency: An associate degree in accounting, finance, or related field and one (1) year of related experience in a payroll or accounting/finance position.

Desired Qualifications:

• PeopleSoft experience, preferably specific to payroll.

• Experience in a union environment.

• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Familiarity with all Metropolitan Council collective bargaining agreements and ability to apply the written contract to answer questions about payroll.

• General knowledge of the intricacies of all five current payrolls (i.e. Operators, Regional Administration, Environmental Services, ATU Mechanics & Office Employees, and Admin, which includes all non-represented, police and TMSA represented employees).

• Knowledge of time entry systems that interface with PeopleSoft such as, Synergen, People Soft Time & Labor, Hastus, TXBase, WorkForce Director and other packages that collect time and attendance data.

• Basic understanding of tax laws.

• Knowledge of payroll best practices.

• Knowledge of personal computers utilizing word processing, spreadsheets, and databases in a windows environment.

• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft payroll processes.

• Basic working knowledge of all software systems used by Metropolitan Council payroll operations and the way they interface with payroll operations.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

• Ability to speak effectively with individuals and groups of customers or clients.

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs

• Requires the skill to provide basic client services to the public and other agencies within the organization. Requires tact, courtesy, and cooperation in dealings with others where the primary purpose is the exchange of information. Promotes an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.

• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us! (http://metrocouncil.org/Employment/Making-A-Difference.aspx)

Additional information

Union/Grade:ATU/Grade 44

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Safety Sensitive:No

What your work environment would be:

You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.

• We rate your education and experience.

• We conduct a structured panel interview.

• We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.

Agency

Metropolitan Council

Address

390 Robert St. N.

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Website

https://metrocouncil.org

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund

• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan

• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%

• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic

• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year

• parking at many job locations

• fitness centers at many job locations

• Employee Assistance Program

• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

.

01

Applicant Instructions: The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this internship. Answer each question accurately and thoroughly and please do not type "see resume" otherwise your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attached a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.

• Yes

• No

  02

  How did youfirsthear about this job opening?

• CareerForce Center

• Community Event/Organization

• Employee Referral

• Facebook

• Glassdoor

• Indeed

• Job Fair

• LinkedIn

• Metro Transit Bus Advertisement

• Twitter

• Website: governmentjobs.com

• Website: metrocouncil.org

• Website: metrotransit.org

• Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com

• Other

  03

  If you selected 'Other', please describe where you first heard about this job. if you selected 'Employee Referral' please enter the employee's first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title. Type N/A if not applicable.

  04

  Select the statement that best describes your education.

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Associate's degree in accounting, finance, or related field

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field

  05

  How much experience do you have specifically in payroll, finance, or accounting?

• Less than one year of experience

• One year to less than three years

• Three years or more

• No experience

  06

  Please describe your experience in payroll, accounting, or finance. If no experience, write "N/A"

  07

  Do you have experience with PeopleSoft?

• Yes

• No

  08

  Do you have experience working in a union environment?

• Yes

• No

  09

  The Metropolitan Council values a workplace that is as diverse as the people we serve. Please describe your experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers. If no experience, enter "N/A"

  Required Question

Agency

Metropolitan Council

Address

390 Robert St. N.St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Website

https://metrocouncil.org

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