Payroll Technician

Salary : $77,465.44 - $94,149.12 Annually
Location : City Hall, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside, CA 93955, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-25
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 07/31/2026


Description
RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF AN APPLICATION

Priority screening application deadline is August 21, 2026

Important Information: Applications submitted incomplete and/or without the required document(s) and responses to application and supplemental questions will be disqualified. Applications will be accepted continuously until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until the position has been filled. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.

Priority Screening Deadline: August 21, 2026.

Application Process
A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process. This process will include evaluation and initial screening of the standard online City application to determine which candidates progress to the next phase of the recruitment process. The subsequent selection process may include a written test/written exercise, performance exercise, panel interview, and a final departmental interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change components of the examination process.

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check. Depending on the position, as a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to pass a physical exam, including a drug screen.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Seaside provides outstanding services to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Seaside does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group of class-protected by applicable federal, state or local law.


DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs complex technical accounting work required to coordinate the preparation of the City's payroll; maintains centralized payroll operations; prepares, maintains, and distributes a variety of payroll records and reports; prepares information in support of collective bargaining; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED


Receives general supervision from the Assistant Finance Director. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May exercise technical and functional direction over and provide training to less experienced employees.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS


This is an advanced journey-level and specialized class in the paraprofessional accounting series that performs a variety of technical duties in support of the City's payroll and benefits systems. Incumbents are responsible for the overall preparation and distribution of payroll, maintenance of payroll records, and required reporting in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations. This class is distinguished from Accountant in that the latter is a professional-level class and requires knowledge of governmental accounting practices and procedures, fund accounting, and fiscal management.

Examples of Duties
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives, reviews, verifies, and processes time recording documents to prepare payroll for all City employees; audits such documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with rules and regulations; prepares and balances payroll reports and records.
• Processes, calculates, and maintains records of a variety of payroll actions, including new-hire set up, overtime hours, cost-of-living adjustments, incentive and/or premium pay, retroactive pay, benefits withholdings, wage garnishments, workers compensation claims, and final paychecks and pay-offs based on appropriate provisions; maintains employee records for voluntary and non-voluntary deductions; processes cash and wire transfers; provides documentation for journal entry preparation; prepares reports and payments for various tax, financial, and insurance organizations.
• Conducts wage rate analyses; prepares alternative wage and salary packages used in collective bargaining; develops and drafts personnel rules and policies as they relate to payroll in coordination with the Assistant Finance Director and/or Human Resources.
• Interprets, applies, explains, and ensures compliance with provisions of collective bargaining contracts and personnel rules as they apply to payroll and a wide variety of paid and unpaid leave usage; suggests contract and rule changes to improve payroll and time reporting.
• Applies and ensures compliance with applicable tax laws and rulings with regard to the employee benefits program as well as earnings.
• Receives and verifies timesheets; checks for available sick leave and vacation days and other types of available leave days and inputs into payroll system; advises supervisors and employees on requirements of union contracts for time reporting.
• Processes personnel transactions making appropriate adjustments/changes in the payroll system.
• Prepares reports and payments for employee retirement benefits
• Prepares quarterly Federal and State tax reports, annual W-2's, and all other required reports.
• Prepares insurance premium statements for payment; updates insurance changes for City employees.
• Assists departments and employees by providing payroll information, explains procedures, and answers labor contract questions pertaining to payroll.
• Maintains a variety of files and records related to the City's payroll system and general accounting techniques and procedures; reconciles transactions and data as directed; records changes and resolves differences, maintains the accuracy of the accounting and financial records.
• Provides financial reports and records for use by the City's auditors, including subsidiary ledgers and other supporting documentation.
• Posts and balances data to various general ledger accounts, registers, journals, and logs according to established accounting techniques and procedures.
• Checks and tabulates statistical and financial data.
• Writes letters, memoranda and reports.
• Assists with training other accounting staff on various financial information and electronic record-keeping systems.
• Assists the Assistant Finance Director with special projects as required, including assistance with the preparation of the annual budget.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by college-level coursework or specialized training in payroll, accounting, or a related field, and; three (3) years of full-time increasingly responsible record keeping or accounting experience including one year of increasingly responsible payroll experience.
Knowledge of:

• Payroll processes and techniques, employee benefits processes as they relate to payroll, and laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and office practices related to the processing and recording of payroll and financial transactions related to employee benefits.
• Computerized accounting and finance systems and computer software and systems related to finance and payroll processes; other computer applications related to work, including word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Record keeping, information processing requirements and rules and policies related to the production of an employee payroll.
• Payroll reporting and payment requirements of various State and Federal agencies and benefit providers.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility, including the City's various Union Memoranda of Understanding and related contracts and documents.
• Principles and practices of auditing payroll documents.
• Public agency finance and account functions.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of accounting, payroll processing, employee record-keeping functions, basic employee benefits processes, and Union Memoranda of Understanding.
• Review payroll and other financial documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Review, post, balance, reconcile, and maintain accurate and confidential payroll records.
• Work closely with staff to maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and complex payroll issues.
• Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
• Establish, maintain, and research payroll and related accounting records and files.
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various construction, City, and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office, partially a field classification, and standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.


ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees primarily work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to potentially hazardous physical substances. Employees partially work in the field and may be exposed to hot and cold temperatures, inclement weather conditions, loud noise levels, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures and City codes.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS: All City of Seaside employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION:

APPLICATION PROCESS: A completed City application form and supplemental questionnaire are required for this position. Applications must be complete and clearly demonstrate that the minimum qualifications are met. All statements made on the application are subject to investigation and verification. False statements will be cause for disqualification, or discharge from employment. The standards as stated on the front of this job announcement represent only the minimum required to file an application. Meeting the listed standards does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited for an examination as the Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to the most qualified for the position as determined by the Human Resources Division.

TESTING PROCESS: The testing process will include review of the completed application, resume, and supplemental questions followed by an interview panel and a selection interview with the Department Director.

LOYALTY OATH OR AFFIRMATION: All City employees are required to sign a loyalty oath and affirmation prior to actual employment.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: All City employees are required to serve a one year probationary period.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The City of Seaside does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, covered medical condition, sexual orientation, military or veteran's status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment actions, decisions, policies or practices. Reasonable accommodation in the application, testing and selection process will be made upon request of disabled applicants.

IMMIGRATION REFORM & CONTROL ACT 1986: In compliance with the Immigration Reform & Control Act 1986, all new employees must verify identity and entitlement to work in the United States by providing required documentation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be in satisfactory health and free from disabling defect which would preclude satisfactory performance in the job for which applied.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The Human Resource Services Division will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA) and Federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990. To request reasonable accommodation, you must notify the Human Resource Representative listed on this bulletin as soon as possible and before the last day to file, in order to make the necessary arrangements during each step of the examination process.


EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

The City of Seaside offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance.

For a more detailed overview of our confidential exempt package, please click here: Confidential Exempt Listing of Benefits
01


Your application must include the following:1. At least 10 years of employment history (assuming you have been employed for ten years)2. Explanation for any gaps in employment3. A reason for leaving each job4. Three professional references (including names and phone numbers of present and past supervisors or managers, or persons for whom you have directly provided services, not peers)5. A clear demonstration in your application and responses to supplemental questions, of all relevant education and experience. Responses such as "See Resume" or "See Application" will result in disqualification and will not be considered further.6. Certificate of degree attached to your applicationRESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF AN APPLICATIONI understand that my application may be rejected if incomplete or if I fail to provide any of the information listed above.CLICK YES TO ACKNOWLEDGE

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess the equivalent the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by college-level coursework or specialized training in payroll, accounting, or a related field? NOTE: You must attach proof of your qualifying education (such as transcripts, diploma, or degree verification) with your application. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in disqualification.

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have at least three (3) years of full-time increasingly responsible record keeping or accounting experience including one year of increasingly responsible payroll experience?

• Yes
• No

04


Please describe your experience processing payroll. Include the payroll systems you have used, the approximate number of employees supported, and the types of payroll functions you were responsible for (e.g., payroll processing, timekeeping, payroll adjustments, tax reporting, benefits deductions, leave tracking, or reconciliations).
05


Describe a time when you identified and resolved a payroll discrepancy or error. What steps did you take to investigate the issue, communicate with those involved, and ensure the error was corrected?
06


Which payroll or HRIS systems have you used? (Select all that apply.)

• Tyler Technologies/Munis
• ADP
• UKG (UltiPro/Kronos)
• Workday
• Oracle
• SAP
• Other payroll system(s)
• No payroll system experience

07


OPTIONAL: Are you a Veteran? Veterans are defined in accordance with California Government Code 18973 which states that a "veteran" means any person who has served full time for 30 days or more in the armed forces in time of war or in time of peace in a campaign or expedition for service in which a medal has been authorized by the government of the United States, or during the period September 16, 1940, to January 31, 1955, or who has served at least 181 consecutive days since January 31, 1955, and who has been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, but does not include any person who served only in auxiliary or reserve components of the armed forces whose service therein did not exempt him or her from the operation of the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940.

• Yes
• No

08


OPTIONAL: If you are a veteran, are you requesting a Veterans' Preference? If so, you must attach a copy of your DD214 with your completed application form.

• Yes
• No

Required Question