Salary : $79,824.00 - $97,296.00 Annually Location : 1055 South Grady Way Renton WA 98057, WA Job Type: Non-Represented Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid Job Number: 24-00121 Department: FIN - Finance Opening Date: 10/09/2024 Closing Date: 10/20/2024 11:59 PM Pacific Job Description The City of Renton is seeking a Payroll Technician 3 to perform full cycle payroll processing. Our payroll technicians are responsible for tracking and managing payroll data, including collecting and auditing timesheets, calculating wages, and issuing deductions. Successful candidates will be able to communicate effectively, demonstrate high attention to detail, be process oriented, and maintain a strong understanding of compliance with regulatory requirements. Working for the City of Renton comes with an excellent benefits package, including:
- Deferred compensation with the City contributing 4% of the employee's salary.
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance at affordable rates.
- Paid leave for vacation, sick, eleven holidays and two personal holidays a year.
- State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) plan enrollment.
Telework ProgramThe City of Renton supports workers performing in a hybrid capacity (partial telework/in-office) where job responsibilities can be performed remotely. This position may be eligible for a telework arrangement, up to 2 days remote, based on the operational needs of the City and specific Department. Regardless of job title or telework arrangement, City of Renton employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Provide technical expertise concerning payroll issues, procedures, regulations, and laws and provide solutions to problems in payroll that arise on a day-to-day basis.
- Audit information entered into the payroll system as well as information provided by Accounting Assistants and customers to ensure City Policy, Labor Agreements, and Federal, State laws are followed, and payroll is accurately calculated.
- Analyze, compute, and enter all aspects of payroll to include entering new employee information, download payroll timesheets into financial system, balance hours between systems, audit timesheets, enter employee maintenance, benefits and deductions, compute payoff figures, adjustments, garnishments, and process payroll.
- Research, analyze, and compute, all payroll adjustments as needed. Make recommendations to supervisor and provide explanation of calculations to employees.
- Provide technical assistance to City employees related to payroll matters, assist them in understanding their paycheck and respond to employee questions in a timely manner.
- Review and audit payroll functions for accuracy and completeness and to detect and prevent errors.
- Prepare journal entries for reporting requirements.
- Prepare, wire, and send files such as direct deposits, positive pay, deferred compensation plans, Department of Retirement Systems, deductions, benefits, garnishments, payroll taxes, W-2's and all similar plans/reports.
- Prepares a variety of correspondence and documents for reporting requirements after each pay period is complete. Prepare and distribute reports for other departments and vendors.
- Implement terms of bargaining agreements, including the creation of new benefits and deduction plans, hour types, garnishments, shifts, and leave plans.
- Prepare, audit and reconcile the annual W-2 filing for city employees.
- Represent the city during payroll related audits from various agencies including Department of Retirement Services, WA State Labor & Industries, and Internal Revenue Service.
- Reconcile Worker's Compensation related time loss payments; ensure checks are returned in a timely manner and adjustments are made to employee tax base and leave banks.
- Stay current on all state and federal laws pertaining to payroll including but not limited to FLSA and overtime regulations, State Paid Family and Sick Leave regulations, Department of Retirement Services rules and rates.
- Prepare complex, routine, and ad hoc reports using report writing tools and software.
- Prepare routine and non-routine journal entries for the proper recording of payroll related financial entries.
- Monitor, reconcile, and analyze account balances; prepare necessary transfer documents to adjust appropriations/expenditures.
- Input, revise or delete a variety of financial and statistical data into a computer; audit and verify accuracy of information; balance and resolve discrepancies as needed.
- Participate in revenue and cost projections including historical costs and revenues trends, current economy patterns, and future directions.
- Prepare reports including narratives, statistical charts, layout and publication.
- Contribute to an environment of teamwork and respect.
- Foster a culture of equity and inclusion by recognizing the diverse needs and perspectives of groups and individuals.
- Remain current with relevant technological advancements as it relates to the position.
- Participate in and help provide cross-training in processes as directed by management to ensure a well-rounded team for coverage purposes.
- Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- May be assigned to support City priorities during emergencies.
To review a complete job description, see - Payroll Technician 3 EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
- Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible experience in full cycle payroll processing.
- Or minimum 8 years relevant education and experience.
- Successful passing of a required background check and credit check.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Move throughout City facilities and buildings.
- Operate a computer and other office equipment.
- Communicate with City employees and residents.
- Lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds on occasion.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Work is performed in an office environment.
- Noise level in the office is moderately quiet.
- Work evening and/or weekend hours as needed.
- Night meetings may be required.
Selection ProcedureSelection Procedure: The City of Renton embraces a diverse and inclusive workforce and prides itself on promoting collaboration and teamwork in a positive environment while providing high quality services to the community. For more information about the City of Renton, please visit the following website: The City has adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, including candidates' names, addresses, and other similar information. This eliminates the possibility of unintentional or implicit bias during the screening of applications. For that reason, you will not have the ability to attach any documents to your application, including a cover letter or resume. Please make sure to submit a complete, detailed, and updated job application. Accommodation Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process may contact at least 2 days prior to the need. Communication from the City of Renton:We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from rentonwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders. We also communicate via text and encourage you to sign up for text alerts when completing your job application. Recruitment Process:The screening process will include a review of minimum qualifications and applicants selected for an interview will be invited via email to self-schedule a time through the Government Jobs account. At minimum, this position will be subject to a standard criminal background check and professional reference check. This position requires cash handling and/or access to sensitive financial information. For that reason, this position is also subject to a credit check. This position is Non-Represented and the applicable benefits are as follows:Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
- Employees are offered a choice of medical/vision coverage through either Kaiser Permanente or the City's self-insured plan. Preferred Provider Option is available through the self-insured plan. Rates for both plans are available on the Benefit webpage. Please click on the link at the bottom of the page for details.
- The dental insurance plan covers services such as regular checkups, x-rays, fillings and crowns. Orthodontia coverage is also provided.
Deferred Compensation Program
- The City contributes 4%of the employee's base wage rate into a deferred compensation retirement plan.
- Employees may also set aside a percentage of their earnings on a tax-deferred basis.
Retirement Plan
- Employees are enrolled in the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Plan (PERS).
- Both the employee and employer contribute to the plan.
Life Insurance
- A group term life insurance policy is provided to each employee at a value equivalent to the annual salary, up to $50,000.
- Each eligible dependent is also provided with a $1,000 policy. There is no cost to the employee.
- Optional supplemental insurance is available for employees and their dependents at group rates.
Long Term Disability Protection
- Many employees are provided with a long term disability policy up to the equivalent of 60% of their salary.
Flexible Benefits
- The City offers employees the opportunity to open two separate tax-free accounts through salary reduction. One account is to pay for expenses not covered by health insurance and the other account is for child care costs.
Vacation
- Employees accrue vacation beginning with the first day of employment as follows: 12 days per year (0-5 years); 18 days per year (6-10 years); 21 days per year (11-15 years); 24 days per year (16-20 years); and 27 days per year (21+ years).
Sick Leave
- Upon employment, the employee receives a sick leave bank of 24 hours, with an additional 24 hours awarded after three months.
- Thereafter, sick leave accrues at the rate of four hours each pay period.
Employee Assistance Program
- A confidential counseling assessment and referral service is available without cost to employees and family members for help with personal, family or job-related problems.
Paydays
- The City of Renton pays employees on the tenth and the twenty-fifth of each month (24 pay periods each year).
Holidays
- The City recognizes eleven holidays and offers two personal holidays each calendar year for most employees.
Hours of Work
- Flexible work schedules are available in many departments.
Transportation
- Unlimited free rides on various bus systems as well as various carpool and rideshare options are available for City employees.
Management Leave
- All non-represented employees that are non-overtime eligible shall be given a management leave bank of non-accruable leave in the following amounts: 56 hours for Administrators, Deputy Administrators, Directors, and the City Clerk; 40 hours for Managers, Analysts, and Others
- Non-accruable management leave is to be used within the calendar year that it is credited to employee's leave bank.
- Management leave may not be rolled over from one year to the next.
Please see the City of Renton Benefits webpage for more information. 01 Please explain why you are interested in applying for this position with the City of Renton. 02 Based on your work experience, please detail your role and involvement in the full cycle payroll process. 03 Please state your education and list any certifications, degrees (including major) or specific classes that you have completed specific to this position. 04 Please select your level of full-cycle payroll processing experience.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 to 2 years
- 2 to 4 years
- 4 to 6 years
- 6 years or more
05 Do you have a Certified Payroll Professional certification?
06 Please describe your involvement in the preparation of payroll taxes and third-party payments (garnishments, insurance, voluntary deductions. etc.) 07 Please describe your payroll experience applying language and terms from Labor agreements (union contracts). If no experience, write none . 08 If selected for an interview, you will be invited via email to complete a knowledge/skills exam. You will have 48 hours to return the exam, via email. Are you able to, if invited, complete an exam within that timeframe?
09 Thank you for your interest in joining the City of Renton team. We have adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, such as candidates' names, contact information, etc. For that reason, you will not have the ability to attach any documents to your application, including a cover letter or resume. You must thoroughly complete the education section (if applicable to the qualifications of this position) and work experience section in chronological order. You must also provide a thorough response to each of the Supplemental Questions.Please make sure to submit a complete, detailed, and updated job application as described above without any personal identifiers included. Failure to do so may result in elimination from further consideration.
Have you read and understood the information listed above? - Yes, I have read and understood the information listed above.
Required Question