Payroll Specialist-Arcata- Closes 10/27/2026

Job Description

Job Description

Payroll Specialist-Arcata- Closes 10/27/2026

SUMMARY:  

This position is located with the United Indian Health Services, Inc., Fiscal Division-Fiscal Services Section. The primary 

purpose of this position is to perform advanced tasks related to processing employee payroll and maintaining related 

internal and external reporting.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   

• Under the direction of the Fiscal Controller and Assistant Fiscal Controller assume responsibility for accurately 

maintaining payroll information by collecting, calculating, and entering data. 

• Updates payroll records by entering changes in exemptions, insurance coverage, other deductions, and job title and 

department/division transfers. 

• Prepares reports by compiling summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability, and nontaxable wages. 

• Utilizing the human resource information system prepares demographic, benefits, recruiting and other reporting at 

the direction of Human Resources Section. 

• Supports overall organizational budgeting process by reporting on staffing costs and employee status.  

• Determines payroll liabilities by calculating employee federal and state income and social security taxes and 

employer's social security, unemployment, and workers compensation payments. 

• Resolves payroll discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information. 

• Provides payroll information as directed by preparing reports and answering questions and requests. 

• Maintains payroll operations by following policies and procedures and identifying needed changes. 

• Maintains and protects employee records and payroll operations by strict compliance with confidentiality policies. 

• Maintains currency with applicable accreditation and compliance standards, rules and regulations and participates in 

quality improvement activities. 

• Assists in monthly accounting processing and closings. 

• Plans and implements the successive steps and problem solves in response to minor deviations in the work 

assignments in accordance with instructions and UIHS policies and procedures.  

• Attends staff meeting and other meetings as assigned.    

• Must be willing to learn more about the American Indian culture and attend at least one Cultural 

Presentation/Training per year.  

• Must be willing to work with American Indian/Alaska Native people and demonstrate cultural awareness and 

humility  

• Must be willing to deliver services in a culturally responsive manner.  

• Adheres to accreditation and compliance standards/guideline  

• Other duties may be assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities. 

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 

satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable 

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  All individuals 

must demonstrate a commitment to the provision of culturally sensitive counseling services to American Indians. 

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Educational degrees must be from a US Department of Education accredited school 

• Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; and two or more years related 

experience and/or training; or  

• High School Diploma or equivalent, and at least four (4) years current experience in all stated areas of the payroll 

processing cycle; and, 

• Must be knowledgeable and proficient in the use of ADP/Workforce or similar payroll processing and reporting 

systems. 

COMPUTER OPERATIONS: 

• Proficient personal computer skills including electronic mail, record keeping, routine database activity, word 

processing, spreadsheet, graphics, etc.  

LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or 

governmental regulations.  

• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information 

and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: 

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and 

decimals.  

• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.  

REASONING ABILITY 

• The incumbent uses judgment to identify and select the most appropriate procedure to use, choose from among 

several established alternatives or decide which precedent action to follow as a model. There may be omissions to 

guidelines and the employee are expected to use some judgment and initiative to handle aspects of the work not 

completely covered. In locating, selecting and applying the most appropriate instructions, references, or procedures, 

the employee may make minor deviations in guidelines to adapt to specific cases. Will refer situations in which the 

existing guidelines cannot be applied or significant deviations must be made to the supervisor or designee.  

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: 

• Must have or be able to obtain BLS certification within six months of hire and maintain such.  

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge and understanding of established and standardized accounting procedures and techniques sufficient to 

handle duties assigned.  

• Knowledge of file systems to locate, add, retrieve or correct routine information using well-established, clear cut 

procedures; and/or knowledge of accounting operations.  

• Must be able to operate standard office equipment (copier, fax, etc.).   

• Comply with all safety policies, practices and procedures.  Report all unsafe activities to supervisor and/or HR. 

• Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill. 

• Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve the Purpose, Vision and Guiding Principles of UIHS.