Position Purpose 

The Payroll Specialist administers NCRFA’s payroll and coordinates employee benefits, retirement, and related HR information system processes. The position also tracks employee leaves and provides administrative support for leave and disability programs under the direction of the Human Resources Manager.

The position ensures employees are paid accurately and timely, benefit and retirement transactions are properly coordinated, and employees receive responsive assistance with payroll, benefits, timekeeping, and leave processes. Work requires accuracy, confidentiality, sound judgment, and consistent application of applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, benefit provisions, personnel actions, and agency procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None. The position may coordinate assigned activities with employees, vendors, contractors, billing services, and other agency departments.

Specific Duties, Responsibilities, and Accountabilities 

The following duties are representative of the position and are not intended to be all-inclusive.

Payroll Administration

• Prepare, process, audit, and reconcile payroll, including earnings, deductions, leave accruals, specialty pay, retroactive adjustments, and other compensation.
• Review timekeeping, schedules, and personnel actions; resolve discrepancies; and ensure payroll changes are properly documented.
• Complete payroll reporting, remittances, reconciliations, journal-entry support, regulatory filings, and year-end processing.
• Assist employees and supervisors with payroll, timekeeping, deductions, and leave-balance questions.

Benefits and Retirement Coordination

• Coordinate enrollments, changes, eligibility, billing, reconciliation, records, and employee communications for benefit, retirement, and deferred-compensation programs.
• Support open enrollment, plan renewals, program changes, and coordination with benefit providers, brokers, retirement systems, and other partners.
• Review employee deductions and employer contributions, resolve discrepancies, and provide employees with general benefit and retirement information.

Leave Tracking and Administrative Support

• Track employee leave requests, usage, documentation, deadlines, benefit status, payroll impacts, and return-to-work dates.
• Prepare and distribute leave notices, forms, correspondence, and informational materials.
• Coordinate approved leave arrangements with employees, supervisors, payroll, benefits, retirement, and workers’ compensation programs.
• Maintain accurate leave records and provide administrative support for eligibility review, leave designation, accommodations, and return-to-work processes.

Systems, Records, and Compliance

• Maintain accurate payroll, benefit, retirement, leave, and employee information in assigned HR, payroll, timekeeping, and benefit systems.
• Maintain confidential records in accordance with applicable requirements, agency procedures, and retention schedules.
• Support audits, system testing, data validation, reporting, process improvement, and development of employee resources and procedures.
• Identify and assist in resolving discrepancies, compliance concerns, and process weaknesses.

Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

PAY 
The Payroll Specialist full pay range (shown as annual salary) is:
Minimum $79,014 (Pay Step 1) to Maximum $102,209 (Pay Step 14). 

Hiring Rate: The selected candidate is anticipated to start at Pay Step 1; however, the starting Pay Step within the salary range is based on their qualifying education, training, and prior experience in a comparable position.

BENEFITS
We are proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance – 100% employer-paid coverage for employees and 90% coverage for eligible dependents
• Washington State Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS) – Pension plan with an option to choose either PERS 2 or PERS 3
• Deferred Compensation (457(b) Plan) – Employer contribution equal to 5% of your base salary; employee may also contribute their pay, either pre-tax or Roth (post-tax)
• HRA VEBA Benefits – Employer contribution of $334 per month
• Employer-Paid Insurance – Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Generous Leave Accruals 
  • Vacation: Starting at 8 hours per month, to a maximum of 20 hours per month at 96+ months
  • Sick Leave: 8 hours per month
• Holidays - 11 Paid Holidays plus 1 Paid Personal Holiday
• Additional Supplemental Benefits – Available at Employee cost