Payroll Specialist - SSA

Payroll Specialist

Shared Services Alliance (SSA) is a partnership between the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, the Educational Service Center of Medina County and the Educational Service Center of Lorain County. SSA was designed to provide a wide range of business and operational services to local school districts. This position would be hired by the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio to serve as the Payroll Specialist for NCSSA. The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for assisting in performing NCSSA's portfolio of payroll services as requested by member districts. The Payroll Consultant may be assigned to work in various district offices.

Essential Job Functions:

• Processes payroll for all employees including related withholdings, fringe benefit deductions, direct deposit.
• Works with the Human Resources department to ensure complete and accurate flow of information for payroll operations including verify salary calculations and Board of Education approval.
• Coordinates staff to ensure the accuracy of employee salary and fringe benefit budgeting/reporting/processing and to meet cash transfer/banking requirements.
• Maintains employee payroll files.
• Processes staff EMIS data.
• Develops and updates payroll policy and procedures manual.
• Develops procedures and internal control systems for all payroll related functions, including form development and revisions.
• Trains and advises associates and building personnel in payroll department policies, technology enhancements, and district policies concerning payroll.
• Works with building associates to resolve payroll issues.
• Processes electronic transfer of federal and other taxes data as required.
• Processes reconciliations of all city, state and federal taxes on a quarterly basis to ensure accurate annual reporting.
• Prepares and submits W2's in a timely manner per the appropriate electronic media.
• Calculates over $50,000 term life insurance adjustment and other adjustments to W-2 forms and reports.
• Files State of Ohio new hire information.
• Prepares and submits SERS/STRS, etc. reports/forms on the appropriate electronic media/web-based system.
• Maintains system to process and report sick leave, vacation and other types of employee absence and accrual records.
• Processes employment verifications, sick leave transfer forms, service verifications, worker's compensation forms and garnishment calculations/reports, as needed.
• Assists with the calculation and processing of employee severance payments.
• Maintains system for employee withholding and distribution to third party administrators for IRS Section 125, health savings account, voluntary insurance, 403b and 457 plans.
• Assists administration in gathering data and preparing reports for employee negotiations and with implementation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Handles inquiries and requests from district employees regarding a wide variety of payroll related areas.
• Assists audit team, as needed.
• Assists with the preparation of district reports for the state auditor, county auditor and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
• Carries out assignments in a professional manner and maintains a high standard of due professional care in all work performed.
• Assumes responsibility of maintaining up to date knowledge of technology utilized by the district.
• Audit employee time and labor data submitted by various offices and interact with supervisors as required to verify data and resolve discrepancies.
• All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of the SSA.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A minimum of 2+ years payroll processing experience
• A minimum of an Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree, or comparable experience
• Must have experience with payroll, garnishments, and automated timesheets
• Experience with payroll tax issues
• Ability to travel and support multiple entities
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, colleagues and administration.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as reference manuals, Board policies and procedures manuals.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.

Working Conditions:

The physical demands of the job described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a normal office environment and is regularly required to talk and hear; frequently required to walk, sit and stand; stoop, kneel or crouch; use hands to type, handle and carry objects; may be required to lift up to 15 pounds in weight. Must be able to use a computer.