Payroll Specialist

The Position

The Port of Portland is hiring for a Payroll Specialist III or a Payroll Specialist II.

Being a Payroll Specialist at the Port means playing a critical role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. This work requires attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and a strong customer service mindset. You will directly support the people who keep the Port running every day. If you enjoy working with complex processes, troubleshooting issues, and delivering accurate, reliable results, payroll is a rewarding space to grow your career.

As a Payroll Specialist III, you will help serve the people who serve the Port by delivering accurate, timely, and employee-focused payroll support across the organization. This role combines strong customer service with advanced payroll knowledge, ensuring employees are supported through complex payroll processes with care, accuracy, and professionalism. You will independently manage payroll operations, troubleshoot payroll and timekeeping issues, support payroll tax and compliance activities, and serve as a trusted payroll resource for employees, managers, and internal partners. This is a hands-on payroll position requiring full-cycle payroll processing experience.

We also welcome candidates who may be a strong fit at the Payroll Specialist II level. This role is ideal for payroll professionals who are building their expertise and looking to expand their knowledge of payroll operations, compliance, and systems. You will support payroll processing, timekeeping administration, payroll tax activities, and employee inquiries while working closely with senior payroll staff to develop your skills and contribute to accurate, timely payroll services.

Salary Range (level dependent) This position may be filled at either level based on experience and demonstrated payroll expertise. Payroll Specialist III: $59,000 – $79,000 Typically requires advanced payroll experience, independent management of payroll processes, and the ability to resolve complex payroll and timekeeping issues. Payroll Specialist II: $54,000 – $68,667 Ideal for payroll professionals developing their payroll, compliance, and systems knowledge through hands-on payroll administration and support. Placement within the range is based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Essential Job Duties

Payroll Specialist III Lead and administer payroll operations • Accurately process weekly and bi-weekly payroll, including taxes, PERS contributions, garnishments, union dues, deferred compensation, HSA/FSA deductions, and other payroll liabilities. • Calculate and process retroactive pay, incentive payments, final checks, and other special payroll transactions. • Balance and reconcile payroll tax information and ensure compliance with payroll regulations and reporting requirements. Manage payroll systems, troubleshooting, and process improvements • Configure and maintain payroll-related plans, accruals, pay types, and tax settings within payroll and timekeeping systems. • Troubleshoot payroll and timekeeping issues, identify root causes, and recommend effective solutions. • Partner with HRIS, IT, Finance, and HR teams to resolve payroll system and processing issues. • Document payroll procedures and identify opportunities to improve payroll workflows and operational efficiency. Oversee payroll tax reporting and compliance • Balance and reconcile tax information each pay period and support quarterly and annual payroll tax reporting activities. • Administer year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation, taxable benefit reporting, deferred compensation limits, and relocation expense reporting. • Maintain compliance with federal, state, local, and PERS regulations and reporting requirements. • Perform ongoing PERS coordination and maintain knowledge of PERS EDX processes and requirements. Provide payroll consultation and employee support • Collaborate with HR and Finance on payroll impacts related to benefits, compensation, and organizational initiatives. • Respond to employee and manager inquiries regarding payroll, deductions, taxes, and timekeeping. • Provide guidance and training on payroll-related processes and procedures. • Deliver excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders. Support union agreements and specialized payroll calculations • Perform calculations related to union contract wage changes and verify accuracy prior to implementation. • Monitor contractual bank balances and process required adjustments. • Identify and apply pay rate overrides as needed for temporary assignments and special circumstances. Payroll Specialist II Role Focus The Payroll Specialist II responsibilities align closely with the Payroll Specialist III role and are carried out with a strong emphasis on collaboration, coaching, and skill development. This role provides hands-on experience across payroll processing, compliance, timekeeping administration, and employee support while building the knowledge and skills needed to independently manage more complex payroll responsibilities. Under the guidance of senior payroll staff, you will assist with payroll processing and reconciliations, prepare payroll adjustments, support payroll tax and year-end activities, maintain payroll and timekeeping records, research routine payroll issues, and help ensure employees receive accurate and timely pay.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Additional relevant experience may substitute for the education requirement.

• Payroll Specialist III: 5+ years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including experience processing complex payroll transactions, supporting payroll tax compliance, and resolving payroll or timekeeping issues.

• Payroll Specialist II: 2–4 years of full-cycle payroll experience or directly related experience in payroll, finance, accounting, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Professional in Human Resources (PHR), or similar professional certification. • Experience with PERS/OPSRP reporting, unionized environments, payroll tax reporting, or public sector payroll operations.

Supplemental and Selection Information

Schedule: We offer a flexible hybrid schedule that supports work-life balance while encouraging in-person collaboration. Team members are generally expected to be in the office up to three days per week, with specific days subject to change based on operational and payroll scheduling needs.

Selection Process: (tentative schedule): We encourage candidates to sign up for email or text alerts for updates, and we appreciate your patience throughout our selection process.

1. Applications will be accepted from June 1 through June 14 . A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training, and experience for submitted application packets will be conducted by Human Resources the week of: June 14.

2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.

3. Our goal is to schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation by June 29 and 30 and Panel Interviews will be held July 15-16.

About us:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have – our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them – to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to unlock new opportunities and ensure more people share in our region's success. With YOUR help – together with our partners, customers, and community – we'll help drive meaningful change!

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination.