New 
Payroll Specialist
 Monterey-Salinas Transit District | |
retirement plan
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 United States, California, Salinas | |
 Oct 18, 2025 | |
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Payroll Specialist
Annual Salary: $54,582 - $77,180 P Posting Date: 1110/17/2025 Competitive Be Benefits Package: CalPERS Retirement, Supplemental Insurance, 457 Retirement Plan, Flex Spending Account, E Employer Contribution to Medical Benefits F Filing Deadline: Open until filled JOB SUMMARY Under general supervision, independently performs a variety of technical payroll processing functions; collects timekeeping information, uploads payroll information, calculates payroll, and issues pay and pay-related information to employees in accordance with established practices and guidelines; maintains the District's timekeeping system; works with employees and supervisors to accurately record time worked; prepares and submits a variety of federal and state mandated tax and other reports; and performs related work as required. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Coordinates, monitors, maintains and ensures timeliness of bi-weekly payroll processing; ensures accuracy and timeliness of payroll actions related to employee salary and benefits. Reviews and audits time entry and timekeeping reports for accuracy; reviews and processes employee transaction forms and verifies submitted paperwork for accuracy; enters electronic and manual timesheets; reconciles paid leave accruals, reviews time off requests, and related paid leave time. Processes bi-weekly payroll run; reviews reports for accuracy and prepares reports for system uploads; reconciles and conducts full audit of payroll register. Determines payroll liabilities by calculating and reporting employee and employer federal and state income taxes, insurance deductions, garnishments, insurance deductions, retirement contributions, loan payments, and other employee deductions. Performs all payroll related reporting functions to include CalPERS and taxing authorities. Responds to inquiries from departments, employees and other agencies concerning payroll issues; resolves issues and ensures confidentiality of employee information; reviews a variety of reports that are generated from the payroll system for accuracy; compiles summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leaves of absence, disability insurance, and nontaxable wages; researches discrepancies and makes adjustments as necessary. Identifies problems in the payroll system and recommends alternate methods and procedures. Processes, verifies, and issues annual earnings and withholding statements (W2), employer healthcare statements (1095) to state and federal agencies, and total compensation data and reports; researches, interprets, and applies laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in the processing of payroll that govern employee pay and benefits; ensures compliance with federal and state regulations and guidelines and applicable labor agreements and District policies. Makes mathematical and/or statistical calculations of salary, deductions, leave adjustments, wage attachments and other payroll related adjustments. Facilitates employee supervisory and employee training of payroll system processing and procedures. Ensures staff compliance with District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITY Knowledge of terminology and practices of payroll processing and reporting, business arithmetic and basic accounting principles and practices, computerized finance systems and software systems related to payroll processing; applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, rules and policies; principles and practices of payroll auditing and employee benefits processes; provisions of labor agreements impacting pay and benefits; District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols; techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff; modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed; the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Ability to perform detailed payroll processing work accurately and in a timely manner; audit payroll and other financial documents for completeness and accuracy; work closely with staff to maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and complex payroll issues; interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; review, post, balance, reconcile, and maintain accurate and confidential payroll records; independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines; effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS Education/Work Experience: High school diploma (or equivalent) plus college-level coursework in accounting, finance, or a related field, and at least two years of experience in payroll processing or technical accounting support. FILING The minimum qualifications as stated in this job announcement represent only the basic requirements of the position. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited to participate in other segments of the selection process. Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed and kept on file for up to six months for future consideration. Applications may be obtained from our Administrative Offices, 19 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Suite 200, Monterey, the Salinas Transit Center, 110 Salinas Street, Salinas, the Marina Transit Exchange, 280 Reservation Road, Marina, CA: or by visiting MST online at http://www.mst.org. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applicants who have resided in California less than five (5) years must obtain a copy of their driving record from their previous state of residence. Applications received without the appropriate DMV printout will not be considered. SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO: Monterey-Salinas Transit, Attn. Human Resources, 19 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Suite 200, Monterey, CA 93940. ADA Candidates who qualify under protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act and require a reasonable accommodation for applicant testing and/or examination, should notify the MST Human Resources at least one week prior to being scheduled for assessment. Monterey-Salinas Transit values diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer | |