Payroll Technician

Payroll TechnicianPurpose: To establish an eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies (full-time, part-time, permanent, and temporary) for up to one year. The current anticipated vacancy is a full-time (8 hours/day), 12-month position located at the District Office in Simi Valley, CA. Application Deadline: Completed applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on September 16, 2026. Late applications and/or certificates will not be accepted. Testing Process: A) Multiple Choice Test = 40% weighting on final score Tentatively scheduled as early as the week of September 21, 2026 B) Structured Interview & Excel performance exercise = 60% weighting on final score Tentatively scheduled for as early as the week of September 28, 2026 Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.Purpose Statement Under the general supervision of the Payroll Supervisor, performs technical payroll duties involving the preparation, processing, reconciliation, verification, and maintenance of District payrolls; calculates salaries, payroll deductions, leave balances, and payroll adjustments; prepares payroll and retirement reports; maintains payroll records and employee payroll data; and provides technical payroll support to employees and departments in accordance with District procedures, established contractual provisions, and applicable payroll requirements.Distinguishing Career Features The Payroll Technician is an experienced technical classification in the payroll series. Employees in this classification independently perform payroll processing, payroll reporting, payroll reconciliation, leave accounting, retirement reporting, and related payroll support functions using established procedures, payroll regulations, and contractual provisions affecting payroll calculations. The Payroll Technician is distinguished from the Payroll Specialist in that the Payroll Technician primarily performs payroll processing, payroll reporting, payroll reconciliation, payroll accounting, leave accounting, retirement reporting, and routine payroll problem resolution. The Payroll Specialist, in addition to performing the responsibilities of the Payroll Technician, performs the most complex payroll assignments and serves as a lead technical resource regarding payroll administration, compliance, leave administration, payroll systems, payroll analysis, and interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesEssential Functions Payroll Processing • Prepares and processes regular, supplemental, special, off-cycle, and hourly payrolls for certificated, classified, confidential, management, and substitute employees • Reviews payroll transactions, timesheets, assignment information, salary changes, and supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy prior to payroll processing. • Processes and verifies payroll-related employee data, salary changes, deductions, leave transactions, and personnel actions to ensure accurate payroll records and transactions. • Calculates salaries, overtime, differentials, stipends, leave deductions, and other payroll transactions. • Processes payroll corrections and adjustments in accordance with established procedures. • Maintains payroll records and payroll-related employee information within the District's payroll system. • Receives, sorts, processes, files, and distributes payroll warrants, payroll reports, and related documents; prepares, duplicates, assembles, files, and distributes payroll materials and records; prepares and responds to payroll-related correspondence; and ensures the timely and accurate distribution of payroll warrants and payroll documents to employees and departments.Payroll Reconciliation • Reconciles payroll transactions and supporting records, including earnings and deduction reports, time sheets, leave reports, and account coding, to identify and resolve routine discrepancies and ensure the accuracy of payroll processing. • Assists with payroll balancing, reconciliation activities, year-end processing, and audit preparation. • Verifies payroll system calculations for new hires and assignment changes.Benefits, Deductions, and Retirement Reporting • Verifies and processes payroll deductions including retirement contributions, tax withholding, voluntary and benefit deductions. • Maintains payroll deduction records and payroll vendor files. • Prepares retirement reports, payroll withholding reports, and other payroll documentation required by regulatory agencies and benefit providers.Leave Accounting • Maintains employee leave records and supporting documentation. • Calculates employee leave accruals, usage, adjustments, and balances in accordance with established procedures and contractual provisions. • Reconciles leave transactions with payroll records and verifies leave-related payroll adjustments. • Verifies leave balances for payroll accuracy and reports discrepancies to appropriate staff for review and resolution.Customer Service and Coordination • Responds to employee and department inquiries regarding payroll calculations, deductions, leave balances, payroll procedures, payroll forms, and payroll records. • Provides technical information regarding payroll transactions and established payroll procedures. • Refers matters requiring interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, collective bargaining agreements, or leave administration determinations to higher-level staff. • Collaborates with Human Resources, Fiscal Services, Benefits, Budget, and department staff to obtain and verify payroll information and supporting documentation.Reports and Recordkeeping • Prepares payroll reports, adjustment reports, retirement reports, tax documentation, and related payroll records. • Maintains payroll files and records in accordance with District procedures and record retention requirements. • Assists with the preparation of data and documentation for audits, reporting requirements, and payroll reconciliations. • Provides accounting data entry support to accounts payable and receivable.Other Functions • Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.Minimum QualificationsEducation and Experience High school diploma or equivalent and two years of increasingly responsible payroll, payroll accounting, technical accounting, or financial recordkeeping experience. OR Associate degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or a related field and one year of increasingly responsible payroll, payroll accounting, technical accounting, or financial recordkeeping experience.Supplemental InformationSkills, Knowledge, and Abilities Skills to: • Operate office equipment and computerized payroll systems. • Perform complex payroll calculations accurately. • Review and reconcile payroll records and identify discrepancies. • Prepare payroll reports and supporting documentation. • Organize and prioritize work to meet recurring payroll deadlines. • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. • Maintain confidentiality of employee and payroll information Knowledge Of: • Payroll accounting principles and practices. • Payroll processing procedures and controls. • Payroll deductions and benefit processing. • Retirement reporting requirements. • Payroll software and integrated financial systems. • Federal and state payroll reporting requirements. • Financial recordkeeping practices. • Mathematical principles used in payroll calculations. • Payroll-related provisions of collective bargaining agreements Ability To: • Independently perform technical payroll processing activities. • Apply established payroll procedures and contractual provisions affecting payroll calculations and transactions. • Analyze payroll records and resolve routine payroll discrepancies. • Maintain accurate payroll records and reports. • Apply payroll laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and contractual provisions affecting payroll calculations and transactions. • Meet strict payroll deadlines with minimal supervision. • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, and departments Working Environment Work is performed primarily in an indoor office environment where minimal safety considerations exist. Individuals protected by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) may request accommodation if needed. In order for appropriate arrangements to be made for testing, your request must be received at the time your application is submitted. If special arrangements are not requested at the time the application is submitted, it is understood that no special accommodations are required. Documentation on the need for accommodation must accompany your request. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The Simi Valley Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunity for all applicants for employment. The application, examination, and selection process shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital, pregnancy, or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.BenefitsSalary: Five step salary range that provides annual increases of approximately five percent until the fifth step is reached. New hire initial step placement (normally up to Step 3) based on qualifying education and experience as outlined in Merit System Rule 7.20.1. An employee who is promoted to a higher class shall be placed on the step of the new salary range that is at least five percent above the current rate, excluding any differential pay. Vacation: Earned based on assigned hours. Increased vacation allowance based on years of service with the district. Confidential employees receive an additional 3 days vacation allotment, up to a maximum of 22 days. Management employees receive 22 days of vacation (based on 12-month assignment). Sick Leave: Earned at the rate of one day (based on the number of assigned hours) per month, and is accumulative from year to year. Holidays: Fourteen paid holidays per year (based on 12-month assignment). Insurance and Credit Union: The District offers a competitive Health and Welfare plan for employees and dependents, based upon the number of hours worked; employees who are placed in a regular assignment of 20 hours or more per week are eligible for benefits. The Ventura Schools Federal Credit Union offers a variety of services. Retirement: Employees are covered by Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Social Security and Medicare.