Payroll Associate

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent plus three (3) years of related experience in automated payroll operations
• Education may substitute for experience up to 2 years

Licenses or Certifications:

• None.

Notes to Applicants
THE DEPARTMENT MAY CLOSE THIS JOB POSTING AT ANY TIME AFTER 7 DAYS .

Position Overview:
The Payroll Associate, under general supervision, performs specialized payroll work in the Payroll office, in one or more of the following areas: time and attendance system, payroll adjustments, payroll interfaces, garnishments and payroll runs.
Who We Are:
Our department provides a variety of financial services and programs. The Financial Services Department ( FSD ) serves residents, vendors, and City departments.

Our mission is to serve as a trusted steward of public resources with integrity and accountability to ensure a fiscally sound city.

Our staff supports a wide variety of financial processes, including preparing the annual budget and annual fiscal report, procurement processes, franchise agreements, real estate transactions, and overseeing the City’s investment portfolio and debt management.

As an internal support function within the larger City organization, FSD is proud to serve and act as a leader in financial management to its partner departments.

Click here to read more about us online!


Why Join Us?


Meaningful Work
Contribute to projects that improve the lives of the people in our community.

Innovation and Collaboration
Collaborate with diverse and talented teams, leveraging technology, continuous improvement, and best practices to drive progress in a variety of financial programs.

Professional Growth and Development
Achieve your professional goals. FSD offers opportunities to advance in multiple career paths, as well as a wide variety of learning opportunities.

Work-Life Balance
Enjoy a balanced lifestyle in a city renowned for its quality of life, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.

Hybrid Work Environment

The City of Austin Flexible Work Arrangement Program is designed to empower employees and leaders to establish hybrid work arrangements that promote high levels of performance and engagement. Staff may be eligible to telework up to 50% within a two (2) week period. Work schedules are implemented to meet department requirements and are subject to change based on business needs.

Health and Wellness

The City of Austin is committed to providing cost-effective, sustainable benefits that assist employees in being physically and mentally well. For employees that are covered, this includes low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more.

Click here to review the City of Austin’s Employee Benefits Guide .

Click here to watch a short City of Austin Employment Video .

Application Details:

• A detailed, complete City of Austin employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications.
• Please be thorough in completing the employment application and list all experience that is relevant to this position.
• For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications.
• A resume is required. Please note: Your employment application will primarily be considered for interview qualification and compensation purposes. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of completed application.
• Employment history dates on resume should match online employment application.
• Employment history dates must include month and year.

Additional Details:

• The Financial Services Department may close this job posting at any time after it has been advertised for seven (7) days, please apply as soon as possible if interested.
• This position may require a skills assessment.
• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED equivalent, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, will be required.
• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
• If you are selected as the top candidate for a position, we may contact your current and former employer, as well as the references listed in your application. Please be sure you have listed at least 3 previous supervisors in the application with correct contact information.
• If you are identified as a top military candidate or a veteran, you must provide a copy of your DD-214.

Travel:

If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy:

When the same or an additional vacancy occurs within a department in the same job title within 90 days after the start date of the top candidate, the hiring department may offer the additional position to another candidate from the same candidate pool.
Pay Range
$24.56 - $28.80

Hours
Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Telework opportunities may be available after an initial training period. Work schedules are subject to change based on business needs.

Staff eligible to telework must be in the office for at least 50% of their schedule within a two-week period.

Overtime will be occasionally required to complete projects or resolve unexpected payroll issues.
Job Close Date 09/06/2024 Type of Posting External Department Financial Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Clerical Location Municipal Building, 124 W. 8th St. Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Assist timekeepers and Coworkers in solving time and attendance problems
• Ability to calculate and prepare special payroll checks including supplemental checks, replacement checks and check reversals
• Process IRS and court orders, including child support garnishments, tax levies, federal bankruptcy orders and student loan garnishments
• Counsel employees on tax options and withholding, garnishment and levy procedures and payroll deductions
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Monitors biweekly time and attendance system ( TAS ) reporting, and assist timekeepers and coworkers in solving TAS problems Researches payroll problems and time entry anomalies, identifies and calculates payroll adjustments, and process these adjustments through the City’s automated systems Calculates and prepares special payroll checks, including supplemental checks, replacement checks, and check reversals Performs gross-to-net computations for payrolls involving tax exempt and tax deferred deductions, and cash and non-cash benefits Processes IRS and court orders, including child support garnishments, tax levies, federal bankruptcy orders, and student loan garnishments Updates garnishment and levy procedures to reflect current laws and regulations Counsels employees on garnishment and levy procedures and payroll deductions Writes/drafts routine correspondence Interprets and explains payroll operations and policies to others. Maintains payroll guidelines by following internal controls and procedures Coordinates division/section activities with other divisions/sections Compiles data and information for reports, including tax information returns and other regulatory reports

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of payroll and tax programs sufficient to perform job tasks
• Knowledge of general personnel and payroll policy and procedures
• Knowledge of automated accounting and payroll systems
• Skill in identifying and resolving problems or situations requiring the understanding of payroll principles and the exercise of good judgment

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Payroll Associate position are: Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent plus three (3) years of related experience in automated payroll operations. Education may substitute for experience up to 2 years. Do you meet the minimum qualifications for this position?

• Yes
• No

* Are you a current City of Austin employee?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe your ability to calculate and prepare corrections to payroll checks and indicate which position(s) you gained this experience.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience in assisting timekeepers and coworkers in solving time and attendance problems and indicate which position(s) you gained this experience.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience processing IRS and court orders such as child support garnishments, tax levies, federal bankruptcy orders and student loan garnishments.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience counseling employees on tax options and withholding, garnishment and levy procedures, and payroll deductions.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Check

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

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