Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

We have an exciting career opportunity for a Payroll Specialist to join our team! The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurate, timely, confidential, and compliant end-to-end payroll administration. This role manages bi-weekly payroll processing, timekeeping validation, gross-to-net, special pay calculations, and payroll controls while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Payroll Specialist serves as the subject matter expert, partners with HR, Accounting, Treasury, and leaders to support payroll accuracy. This role also maintains payroll systems and workflows within Oracle EBS and administers payroll-related benefit and 401(k) deductions, direct deposits, off-cycle payments, tax withholding, garnishments, benefit and retirement plan, union dues deductions, PTO/vacation and personal time accrual activity, and year-end payroll processes.

Citizens Energy Group offers competitive salary and benefits including:

• Health, Dental & Vision
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match
• Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Wellness Program
• Adoption and tuition assistance
• Employee Credit Union
• PTO and Paid Holidays
• Hybrid schedule

If you are looking for a new opportunity, we invite you to apply and talk about the possibilities of starting a rewarding new chapter of your career! Minimum Salary: $60,900 (Grade 7)

Responsibilities

• Process and audit bi-weekly payroll, including timekeeping, earnings, overtime, deductions, direct deposits, off-cycle payments, and final pay.
• Validate payroll data, employee transactions, pay changes, leave payments, accruals, and other payroll-related inputs to ensure accuracy.
• Administer payroll taxes, benefits, retirement contributions, garnishments, union dues, and other required or voluntary deductions.
• Review payroll reports, reconcile payroll-related accounts and liabilities, and resolve discrepancies to ensure accurate financial reporting and audit readiness.
• Support payroll compliance with federal, state, local, union, and company requirements while maintaining confidentiality of employee information.
• Process union remittances, maintain dues records, and assist with payroll-related audits and reporting.
• Maintain employee payroll records and system data, including tax elections, direct deposit information, and payroll documentation.
• Research, test, and resolve payroll system issues while supporting system enhancements, process improvements, and payroll-related projects.
• Manage quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, payroll reconciliations, and regulatory reporting.
• Prepare payroll reports and respond to employee and leader inquiries regarding pay, deductions, and payroll transactions.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field; equivalent payroll experience may be considered.
• Five or more years of payroll administration experience, including end-to-end payroll processing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax withholding, wage and hour requirements, garnishments, benefit deductions, retirement plan deductions, and year-end payroll processes.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data reconciliation, PivotTables, lookups, formulas, and reporting.
• Experience reconciling payroll registers, taxes, benefit deductions, retirement plan feeds, and payroll-related liabilities.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, organization, documentation, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to manage confidential employee payroll information with discretion, accuracy, and professionalism.
• Ability to communicate clearly with employees, leaders, HR, Accounting, Treasury, Benefits, auditors, and external vendors.

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

• Experience with Oracle EBS or similar payroll/HRIS systems preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred.
• Experience supporting payroll for union and non-union employee populations preferred.
• Experience with retirement plan deductions, payroll audits, or payroll tax reporting preferred.

Job Posting Deadline: Open until filled Citizens is a drug-free, Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.