Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

The Public Health Administrative Services team is looking for a talented payroll specialist to join their team. The Payroll Specialist position will be responsible for processing payroll and/or timekeeping actions and assist in payroll related activities; maintain and generate payroll related records; provide information to management and employees regarding compensation and employment; and perform related work as required.

Background

Temporary Opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are “at will” positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last 6 months. One factor that could effect the end date of the position is an unanticipated change in funding.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. Special Duty Assignments are open to Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months. (CHS Local 17 only) This position may also be required to work at Sister Sites throughout King County. The Sister Sites can be found here.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

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Work Schedule

Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, and hours can vary based on operational need, currently predominately 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Non-Exempt and subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (overtime eligible).

Work Location

This position will be based out of The Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the reviewing and auditing of all employees entered and supervisor approved timesheets to ensure they comply with Federal & State Laws, King County rules and regulations, including Coalition Labor Agreement (CLA) language.
• Data collection of PeopleSoft queries to audit any issues that may cause system errors and/or employees not being paid accurately.
• Provide support, instructions, information, and training to management/supervisors and employees on current payroll related policies and procedures.
• Verify employee attendance to accurately calculate employee variances in accordance with the corresponding collective bargaining agreement.
• Maintain and as needed, implement new payroll policies and procedures. Also, provide information and instructions on any new or changed policies and procedures.
• Enter payroll information into PeopleSoft.
• Set-up and maintain filing and record keeping systems and updating multiple seniority lists.
• Process employment verification requests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):

• Intermediate Excel Skills. Outlook, Word, PDF. PeopleSoft or other payroll system experience.
• Knowledge of payroll production, payroll terminology, processes and procedures.
• Experience with SharePoint
• Great customer service skills.
• Ability to w ork as a team member with a positive attitude and willing to help out other team members.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health position

The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired):

• Skill in comparing records for accuracy; and research/reconciling errors and discrepancies.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing a high-volume workload with strict deadlines.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, union contracts, regulations, and laws.
• Experience supporting accounting functions within a public sector or government agency environment.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to For tips on interviewing, please visit
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.

Union Membership

This position is not represented.