Location: Buffalo,NY, USA
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Posting Details
Position Information
About Buffalo State
Buffalo State is one of the largest comprehensive schools in the State University of New York system. As a civically minded, urban-engaged campus community located in the city's cultural corridor, Buffalo State prides itself as having smaller learning environments coupled with larger university opportunities. Boasting a diverse and inclusive campus, Buffalo State is committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The school's mission is to deliver a broad array of high-quality and distinctive academic programs infused with diversity, creativity, and hands-on learning opportunities for hardworking students who seek a personalized and affordable education that engages their minds and advances their careers. Buffalo State is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, service, scholarship, creative activity, and cultural enrichment. With degree programs in education, the arts, science, arts and humanities, and professional studies, each year over 6,000 students choose Buffalo State. Buffalo State welcomes applicants who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission.
Posting Date 10/24/2024
Department Payroll Office
Line Number 20594
Budget Title Payroll Examiner 1
Rank/Grade SG-12
FTE Full-Time
FLSA Non-Exempt
Negotiating Unit CSEA
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Jurisdictional Class Competitive (0)
Shift Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:15am - 4:30pm
Department Operating Needs
This position has the designation of Essential-Remote Service, therefore the successful applicant is designated as an essential service employee. For a definition of essential service employees, please review the college's Emergency Closings Policy ( Closings Policy _120621_Final.pdf) .
Brief Job Description
Payroll Examiners manage a segment of a payroll program, which entails the preparation of the regular, lag and special payrolls. They make related payroll determinations concerning salaries, miscellaneous payments, deductions, taxes, and other similar matters. The preparation of payrolls requires compliance with detailed procedures, the use of multiple computer software programs, and adherence to strict deadlines. Incumbents interpret and apply policies, rules and regulations issued by the Office of the State Comptroller, the Department of Civil Service, and the Division of the Budget; sections of multiple negotiated agreements between New York State and the employee unions; and sections of the State Finance Law governing salaries, lump sum payments, deductions, leave credits, and other factors which affect employee payrolls.
Payroll Examiners are expected to be able to perform the full range of payroll calculations and transactions. Accordingly, they must possess specific knowledge concerning a wide variety of payroll and related topics such as overtime eligibility, tax requirements, garnishments, and system requirements to complete transactions and provide guidance to others. Payroll Examiners handle calculations that include a wider range of variables, exceptions, or the application of specific salary determination rules. Incumbents are expected to identify and resolve discrepancies, and develop job aids. Payroll Examiners function independently, without direct supervision of work procedures and priorities. Incumbents are considered technical experts in payroll processing and, when functioning as the payroll program supervisor, are the final point of review for all payroll actions.
Payroll Examiners must understand the business rules of the various automated systems that are used in processing payrolls (e.g., PayServ, NYSTEP , HRIS or other internal agency payroll/personnel systems) in order to trouble-shoot problems, prepare payroll reports, and respond to employee inquiries.
Payroll Examiners have frequent verbal communication with agency program administrators and personnel staff to explain payroll procedures and deadlines, mandatory and voluntary payroll deductions, and attendance and leave rules. They also have frequent verbal and written communications with all levels of employees to explain changes in salaries and deductions, procedures for voluntary deductions, and related topics. Payroll Examiners have frequent verbal communications with subordinate staff providing them with advice and assistance to supplement written manuals and guidelines.
When processing payroll transactions and preparing payrolls, incumbents have frequent verbal and written communications with representatives of the Office of the State Comptroller and the Department of Civil Service to request technical assistance with complex or unusual salary computations, to identify and clarify legal and procedural requirements, and to resolve discrepancies in procedures and interpretation.
In addition:
Calculate and/or verify salary calculations and related factors for agency employees:
- Reconstruct employee salary histories by following standard procedures to determine and/or verify appropriate salary.
- Calculate and coordinate processing of salary increases, longevity payments, and performance advances.
- Calculate employee salaries taking into account eligibility for miscellaneous payments and additional factors.
- Calculate and issue corrected W-2 Wage Statements as necessary to report adjusted earnings and taxes for employees.
- Calculate, coordinate, and communicate back salary awards, settlements, penalties and garnishments in accordance with court orders, grievances, disciplinary proceedings, and arbitration decisions.
- May calculate the number of pay periods of sick leave with half pay entitlement for employees by applying knowledge of Civil Service Law, Office of the State Comptroller rules and regulations, and negotiated agreements.
- May determine eligibility and adjust vacation, sick, and personal leave credits for part-time annual salaried employees using various reports to calculate the additional hours worked beyond their payroll percentage and the amount of leave credits to be adjusted under the guidelines set forth by the Department of Civil Service.
Provide customer service to agency employees and department managers on payroll and/or personnel related issues:
- Answer various types of communications (phone, e-mail, and letters) from employees and managers concerning general payroll topics and specific personal status issues and inquiries.
- Write responses to authorized inquiries from banks, insurance companies, and government agencies regarding employees pay status, income, and benefit status using multiple systems to gather appropriate data.
- Write memos utilizing information from control agencies to notify employees and/or department managers of a wide variety of payroll and/or personnel related topics.
- Coordinate, organize and promote a targeted campaign to educate agency employees about direct deposit options and policies in order to increase participation in the direct deposit program.
- May coordinate and deliver informational sessions and new employee orientation programs on a variety of payroll topics.
Required Qualifications
One year of permanent competitive service in a clerical, keyboarding, or paraprofessional title allocated to Grade 7 or higher.
Preferred Qualifications
Application Deadline Date 11/08/2024
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Contact Person
Contact Email
Contact Fax
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution that subscribes to all federal, state, and SUNY legal requirements and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status (Nondiscrimination Notice). Any violation of this policy should be reported to the Equity and Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 415, (716) ###-####. Buffalo State is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Warnes at ...@buffalostate.edu or call (716) ###-####.
Background Investigation Statement
All applicants are subject to a pre-employment background investigation. Our Pre-Employment Background Screening Policy is available at
Clery Statement
Applicants interested in positions may access the Annual Security Report ( ASR ) for SUNY Buffalo State at The ASR contains information on campus security policies and certain campus crime statistics. Crime statistics are reported in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Applicants may request a hard copy of the ASR by contacting the SUNY Buffalo State University Police Department at (716) ###-####.
New York State Executive Order 161
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) ###-#### or via email at ...@goer.ny.gov.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
+ * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
+ Buffalo State website
+ Buffalo News
+ Buffalo Rocket
+ Challenger
+ Chronicle of Higher Education
+ HigherEdJobs
+ Panorama Hispano News
+ Employee Referral
+ Other
+ * All applicants are subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The college's Pre-Employment Background Screening Policy is available at Prior to an offer of employment, an applicant will be required to sign an authorization release form, allowing Buffalo State to conduct a background investigation. Failure of an applicant to sign the authorization release form will disqualify an applicant from further consideration for appointment.
+ I agree to comply with the college's policy.
+ I do not agree to comply with the college's policy. (Note, this selection will disqualify you from further consideration for appointment.)
+ * Please select the score you received on the exam for this budget title. Your score is located on your canvass letter (third number displayed above your name and address).
+ 100
+ 95
+ 90
+ 85
+ 80
+ 75
+ 70
+ I am eligible for a lateral transfer.
+ I am eligible for reinstatement per Civil Service Rule 5.4.
+ I did not receive a canvass letter and I am not a current employee of New York State.
+ I have a Letter of Eligibility from Civil Service. Letter must be attached to application.
+ I am eligible for a two-grade bid.
+ * Applicant must have permanent appointment in the budget title noted (or be eligible for transfer) or be reachable for appointment on the current NYS Department of Civil Service canvass list for the budget title noted. Please indicate below whether you meet this requirement.
+ Yes, I am eligible for appointment.
+ No, I am not eligible for appointment.
+ * Please describe the attributes that will make you a strong candidate for this position.
(Open Ended Question)
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
+ Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Optional Documents
+ Cover Letter
+ Names and Contact Information for 3 Professional References
+ Canvass Letter (classified applicants only)