Human Resources Payroll Technician

LOS ALTOS, CA
Los Altos, California United States  View Map
Posted: Oct 21, 2025
  • Salary: $92,839.84 - $112,847.41 Annually USD
  • Full Time
  • Human Resources and Personnel
  • Job Description

    Description

    Are you a new or experienced human resources professional looking for an opportunity to make a positive impact in the public service and add value to an organization by maximizing efficiencies and creating a healthy work environment?

    We are looking for an organized, analytical, and collaborative individual to join the Human Resources Team and reach their full creative potential! You will not only benefit our amazing employees, but also, the incredible residents of the City of Los Altos! We offer flexible hours and the ability to work from home.

    ABOUT THE HR TEAM

    The Human Resources Technician will join a cohesive and fun team that through partnerships and collaboration, we recruit, develop, and retain a high performing workforce. We take pride in fostering a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for employees, their families, co-workers, and the public in order to maximize individual and organizational potential. As a result, our unique sets of experiences, perspectives, and skills leverage our talents which will ultimately benefit the residents we serve.

    The HR team is a strategic partner to our workforce by leading efforts in the area of recruitment and selection, benefits administration, classification and compensation, performance management, training and development programs, workers’ compensation and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. The HR Team is also responsible for employee relations, including negotiating and implementing collective bargaining agreements with three employee organizations and administering the provisions of those memorandums of understanding.

    ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

    The HR Payroll Technician plays a vital role in ensuring the accuracy, compliance, and timeliness of the City of Los Altos’ payroll operations. This position performs a broad range of complex technical and analytical duties, including processing multi-cycle payrolls, maintaining detailed payroll records, preparing emergency warrants and expenditure transfers, calculating estimated fringe benefit costs, and ensuring adherence to Federal and State regulations, as well as City policies and procedures.

    Beyond payroll processing, this role offers opportunities to engage in broader areas of Human Resources. During non-payroll processing periods, the Payroll Technician will have the chance to support employee engagement initiatives, participate in staff training and development activities, and contribute to cross-functional HR projects. This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented professional interested in expanding their knowledge and experience across multiple HR disciplines while continuing to strengthen the City’s culture of service and employee support.

    ABOUT THE RECRUITMENT
    This position will remain open until filled, with a first review of applications on November 11. This recruitment may be used to fill the current vacancy as well as future positions in this or other divisions. The selection process will consist of an evaluation of each applicant's training and experience based on the application materials and responses to supplemental questions. Candidates whose backgrounds best match the position requirements will be invited to participate in a virtual interview panel.

    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.
    • Collecting information from a variety of sources and validating, organizing, and/or analyzing data to determine progress, anticipating needs, or making necessary adjustments to processes.
    • Participates in and/or coordinates a range of human resource activities, which may include recruitment and selection, employee relations, benefits administration, classification, and compensation.
    • Maintains employee leave records and prepares reports as required.
    • Provides budget support such as: assistance with annual budget preparation and monthly financial reporting, contracts, purchase orders, and processing of invoices.
    • Provide administrative support for all employee benefit programs
    • Provides information to employees and the public as appropriate regarding wages, benefits, personnel procedures, employment opportunities, and claims procedures.
    • Assists in coordinating City’s Workers’ Compensation program, including maintaining logs and records, preparing quarterly loss runs, filing and monitoring forms and managing correspondence with the City’s third-party administrator
    • Developing and maintaining effective relationships and relating well to others from varied backgrounds and in different situations; showing understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness.
    • Performs other duties as assigned.


    Please review the full description for the Human Resources Technician.

    Minimum Qualifications

    EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

    Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

    Education:
    • Equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, accounting, finance, or a related field.

    Experience :
    • Three (3) years of increasingly responsible office administrative experience including familiarity with onboarding and employee benefits administration.

    Licenses and Certifications :
    • Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.


    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 visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas 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 up to 20 pounds.

    ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

    Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

    EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

    The City of Los Altos is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age or sexual orientation. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Los Altos upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.

    LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

    The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

    #LosAltosJobs #PublicServiceCareers #LocalGovernmentJobs #HRJobs #PayrollJobs #HumanResources #PayrollTechnician #HRTechnician

    Closing Date/Time: Continuous
  • ABOUT THE COMPANY

    • City of Los Altos
    • City of Los Altos

    Tree-lined streets and a small village atmosphere characterize Los Altos, which is located in the heart of world famous Silicon Valley. Just 40 miles south of San Francisco, Los Altos is a residential community served by seven small retail districts. The seven square mile City is developed with small businesses, schools, libraries and churches.

    Incorporated in 1952, Los Altos is a general law city with five elected council members who serve four-year terms. City Council meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Appointed commissions and committees assist the Council in an advisory capacity. The Council appointed city manager is responsible for financial and operational management of the city's 130 employees.

    Highlights

    • Over 200 volunteers assist in providing City government services to the community each year.
    • In 1982, Los Altos became a leader in recycling programs when it began curbside residential collection of bottles, cans and newspaper. Since then, motor oil, yard waste and mixed paper have been added.
    • City Council and Planning Commission meetings are televised live on the City's cable television government access channel 26. In addition, this channel carries a 24-hour video bulletin board on city services, activities and events.
    Show more

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