Payroll Specialist

About the Position The ideal candidate will demonstrate cultural competency in serving diverse community college populations, including faculty, management, and students from varied ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This includes those with differing abilities, AB 540 students, DACA recipients, Foreign Residents, VACA participants, and Continuing Education students. They will support RSCCD’s mission to promote self‑awareness, knowledge, and communication skills, enabling all members of the college community to participate creatively and confidently in an ever‑changing world. Candidates will contribute to an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture that supports the diverse needs of faculty, management, staff, and students. They will effectively provide services and support to individuals with differing academic preparation levels and unique learning or workplace needs, ensuring equitable access and opportunities for success. Candidates should demonstrate cultural competency, sensitivity, equity‑mindedness, and a commitment to anti‑racism in all interactions and contributions. Through their role, they will empower students to achieve their educational and career goals while promoting a positive and inclusive environment where faculty and management can thrive, fostering creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning throughout the college community. Class Summary Under general supervision of the Accounting Manager‑Payroll, performs complex and technical payroll accounting work related to the preparation of the District payroll, including coordination and application of current federal and state laws, county and district policies in the preparation, audit, and processing of a variety of payroll documents. Representative Duties Performs specialized, technical financial record‑keeping operations related to the complex elements of the district’s payroll activities; audits and analyzes payroll timesheets and other documents to prevent and correct errors in salary payments; inputs data, updates and maintains district and county computer databases for personnel/payroll‑related records; liaisons with Information Technology Services (ITS) in maintaining and updating the in‑house payroll/personnel system; executes a variety of complex computations involving gross pay, retirement, taxes, contract calculation, retroactive pay, and leave records; monitors all employees’ eligibility/enrollment in PERS, STRS, social security, Medicare, or any other retirement system; liaisons with Risk Management office and Payroll Manager in monitoring worker’s compensation absences, approval, and payments; maintains current insurance files on all eligible employees and prepares and processes payment to all insurance companies; liaisons with the benefit person in personnel in monitoring enrollment, terminations and insurance changes; responsible for processing and maintaining records of employee voluntary deductions and makes payments to proper companies; maintains files on employees’ sick and vacation records; prepares and distributes accrual notices; responds to inquiries concerning payroll, sick and vacation accrual balances; prepares and submits employment verifications, unemployment audits, IRS information inquiries, subpoenaed information as well as PERS, STRS, social security and any other retirement system requests for information; independently prepares correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, and other payroll‑related documents using a computer; sorts and distributes employee payroll checks on appropriate paydays and W‑2 forms at year end; performs other related duties as required. Organizational Relationships This class reports to the Accounting Manager‑Payroll. Training and Experience Any combination of training and/or experience equivalent to an AA degree and at least two years of experience in payroll preparation and practices, preferably in a college or school district environment. Knowledge and Abilities Knowledge of: principles and techniques involved in payroll preparation, monitoring, and control; pertinent federal and state laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures affecting payroll records and programs; practices and principles of financial and statistical record keeping, including general and basic timekeeping and record keeping; record keeping associated with fringe benefit programs, their applicable contracts, laws, and regulations; modern office practices, procedures and equipment, including use of computer for data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, database operations, and other office applications; correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. Ability to: perform complex and technical accounting work related to the preparation of the district payroll; plan, prioritize and organize a large volume of work to successfully meet constant payroll deadlines; prepare necessary reports; follow through on own initiative to clear up discrepancies or obtain necessary support materials; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; read, understand, and interpret laws, rules, and regulations; explain various payroll related procedures and practices; establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties; use diplomacy in dealing with complaints and angry, upset employees who may be verbally abusive. Skills: skillfully operate various office equipment and machines including ten‑key calculator, computer terminal, keyboard, printer, copier, and microfiche equipment. Additional Qualifications Candidate must demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, and the community. Conditions of Employment Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis Exam. Fingerprints (by a Live Scan Agency at the candidate’s expense, and clearance must be received before the first day of employment). The Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is an equal opportunity employer. The policy of the District is to encourage applications from persons who are economically disadvantaged and individuals belonging to significantly underrepresented groups within the District’s workforce, including ethnic and racial minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or political or organizational affiliation. RSCCD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional employment offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if RSCCD is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Individuals who require reasonable accommodations in the Application or Interviewing Process in accordance with ADA should notify the Recruitment Office in the Human Resources Division at least two days prior to the closing date, by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr