Payroll Manager

PUGET SOUND REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Position Payroll Manager Rate of Pay $120,299 - $161,211 annually ($4,626.88 - $6,200.42 biweekly). This position is exempt and therefore not eligible for overtime. Position Description/Requirements Under the direction of the Finance Director, or designee, the Payroll Manager plans, organizes, administers, supervises, and participates in all aspects of Puget Sound Fire's payroll operations. This is a working manager position responsible for providing leadership while personally performing and overseeing complex payroll administration for all agency employees while supervising and mentoring payroll staff. See attached job description for complete details. Puget Sound Fire Overview Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority is an internationally accredited full-service, all risk fire and rescue department that provides services to the citizens of Covington, Kent, Maple Valley, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Fire Districts 37 & 43. Our workforce is comprised of approximately 475 employees. Work Location Your main office will be at the 84th Avenue Business Center, located at 20811 84th Ave. S. in Kent, WA. Throughout the course of your work, you may report to various stations throughout our service area. Typical Schedule Monday through Friday, 8-hour day shifts on-site during the initial 90-day introductory period. After the introductory period, employees may be eligible for alternative work schedules, such as four 10-hour day shifts, and/or a hybrid work arrangement, subject to operational needs, department coverage, and supervisor approval. Union Membership No. This is a non-represented civilian position. Selection Process Once the job closes, all applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Successful candidates will be contacted to schedule interviews. Opens: August 3, 2026 Closes: August 16, 2026 First review of Applications: August 17, 2026

1. st Interviews: Week of August 24, 2026
2. nd Interviews: Week of August 31, 2026

Contingent Offer, start background screening: September 2, 2026 Final Offer: by September 16, 2026 Anticipated Start Date: October 5th or sooner, depending on candidate availability. Payroll Manager

PAYGRADE: 28

FLSA Status: Exempt Last Updated: July 2026

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the direction of the Finance Director, or designee, the Payroll Manager plans, organizes, administers, supervises, and participates in all aspects of Puget Sound Fire's payroll operations. This is a working manager position responsible for providing leadership while personally performing and overseeing complex payroll administration for all agency employees while supervising and mentoring payroll staff. The Payroll Manager ensures payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements, Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) reporting requirements, labor agreements, agency policies, and generally accepted payroll and accounting principles. This position serves as the organization's subject matter expert for payroll administration and provides strategic leadership for payroll operations, payroll compliance, payroll systems, and internal controls. The Payroll Manager develops and maintains payroll policies and procedures, oversees payroll system administration, leads payroll process improvements, ensures effective internal controls, responds to complex payroll inquiries, and partners with Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, labor representatives, and agency leadership to ensure payroll practices support organizational goals and regulatory compliance. The Payroll Manager exercises considerable independent judgment in interpreting laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and agency policies while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, customer service, and fiscal stewardship. This position provides direct supervision of payroll personnel and may oversee the work of consultants, temporary staff, interns, or project teams as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The duties listed below are representative of the work performed by the Payroll Manager and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Employees may perform other duties as assigned. Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and participates in all payroll activities to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing for all Puget Sound Fire employees; ensures payroll operations are administered in full compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, accounting standards, collective bargaining agreements, and agency policies. Provides overall leadership and accountability for payroll administration while maintaining direct involvement in payroll processing activities and serving as the agency's primary payroll subject matter expert. Serves as the primary resource for resolving complex payroll issues requiring interpretation of laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, agency policy, or payroll system functionality. Directs and personally participates in the preparation, processing, review, reconciliation, and distribution of the agency's biweekly payroll for all represented and non-represented employees. Supervises and mentors payroll staff, including training team members, managing workflows, and providing performance feedback. Reviews payroll transactions for completeness, accuracy, and compliance before payroll finalization. Develops division goals, performance measures, work standards, policies, procedures, and internal controls designed to improve efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and customer service. Establishes payroll processing schedules and operational priorities to ensure payroll deadlines are consistently achieved. Develops and maintains comprehensive payroll procedures and documentation to support consistent payroll practices and business continuity. Provides recommendations to executive leadership regarding payroll policies, staffing, technology improvements, and organizational best practices. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with agency leadership, employees, labor organizations, governmental agencies, vendors, auditors, and external stakeholders. Coordinates payroll activities with Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, union leadership, and outside agencies to ensure integrated business processes and accurate employee data. Represents the payroll function during internal and external audits, labor-management meetings, organizational initiatives, and payroll-related projects. Provides executive leadership with reports, recommendations, payroll metrics, workforce data, and operational analysis supporting strategic decision-making. Interprets and applies payroll laws, regulations, labor agreements, and administrative rules to ensure consistent and legally compliant payroll practices throughout the organization. Maintains current knowledge of legislative changes, accounting standards, tax regulations, retirement system requirements, labor law developments, and payroll industry best practices that may impact agency payroll operations.

SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THE POSITION WILL HAVE

Knowledge Principles and practices of supervision and training PSF policies, procedures, structure, and collective bargaining agreements Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations (including FLSA) and ordinances Cloud-based HRIS/Payroll and financial systems Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS) Government Accounting Standard Board (GASB) Payroll law, regulations, practices, policies, and administration Research and analytical methods and techniques Principles, policies, and procedures of development, maintenance, and administration of citywide payroll operations programs Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary as it pertains to the job Skills Effectively organizing, analyzing, and coordinating workflow Evaluating and proposing improvements in operations, systems, procedures, policies, methods, and ordinances Using research and analytical methods, practices and procedures to define and resolve issues and develop a recommended course of action Developing and using complex spreadsheets using MS Excel or other financial applications to conduct analysis Organizing and expressing ideas effectively using oral and written communications Reading, analyzing, interpreting and explaining government rules, regulations, codes, policies, technical journals, financial reports, legal documents, operating and procedure manuals, general business periodicals, professional journals, etc. as it relates to the position Exercising a high degree of independent judgment in problem solving and decision making Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing; computing fractions, ratios, percentages, proportions; drawing and interpreting graphs and charts; and applying these concepts to practical situations Using interpersonal skills effectively in a tactful, patient and courteous manner Proficient with Microsoft Office 365 products such as Word, Outlook or similar productivity software tools Abilities Evaluate user needs and translate into system requirements Provide training, technical expertise and assistance to project team members and user departments regarding payroll and accounting principles, practices and policies Provide work direction to assigned staff Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, and department executives Compose, proofread and edit system requirements, design documentation, test scripts, user documentation and step by step end-user training materials Effectively communicate with, speak to, present information to, and answer questions from users, department staff, managers, officials, vendors, auditors and consultants Work effectively on multiple projects or activities concurrently Handle sensitive and confidential information in a professional manner. Become familiar with, follow, and actively support the Puget Sound RFA's mission, vision, and core value statements. SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS Education Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field; and Experience A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in payroll processing roles, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or managerial role. Preferred Demonstrated experience working in public sector payroll processing, administering pay under complex bargaining units, and application of FLSA Section 7(k) exemption for public safety employees. Fundamental Payroll (FPC) Certification, or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire and ability to maintain the certification. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) Certification or demonstrate the ability to obtain within the American Payroll Association's (APA) earliest timeframes; ability to maintain certification upon achieving. Previous experience using HRIS or ERP systems. Experience with implementing new systems and/or conducting significant process improvements and system changes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here 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 regularly required to sit for extended periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to type on keyboard for extended periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Work is performed in a typical office environment, which includes a technical workstation, a computer room with a controlled environment, as well as working with customers on site. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The incumbent may be required to perform duties at various work locations, such as fire stations. #J-18808-Ljbffr Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority