Payroll Supervisor

Why live in Helena, Montana?

Helena is Montana's capital city of about 75,000 people, surrounded by rolling hills and lofty mountains just below the Continental Divide, offering a quiet place to call home where small‑town living meets year‑round outdoor adventure.

Why should you consider working here?

We invite you to consider joining us at the State of Montana Department of Administration. As a customer service-focused organization, we provide centralized services, specialized support, and practical solutions to state agencies, boards, and commissions, as well as local governments across Montana. Our vision is to transform how government services are delivered and accessed, serving state government with effective, efficient, and customer‑driven solutions that benefit all Montanans. (You can learn more about us here.)

What is this career opportunity?

This position is responsible for supervising the preparation and production of timely and accurate biweekly payrolls, ensuring taxation and regulatory compliance. The position requires researching, analyzing, and establishing payroll policy, processes, and procedures, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the statewide payroll; proper and timely payment and reporting of employee pay, benefits, taxes, and voluntary withholding; and maintenance of historical payroll records.

Responsibilities include:

Payroll Production

• Develop and maintain statewide payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.

• Ensure accurate, timely payroll processing and data integrity.

• Monitor compliance for taxes, benefits, leave payouts, garnishments, and withholding requirements.

• Manage distribution of employee and employer payroll contributions.

• Oversee statewide payroll reporting (941, state tax, W‑2, M‑W3, records).

• Handle multi‑state payroll tax registration, filing, and reconciliation.

• Provide agency support, communicate system and policy changes, and resolve payroll issues.

• Assist agencies with reconciling payroll processing and resolving errors and differences before payroll is confirmed and processed.

• Review and approve time reporting, earnings, and deduction code requests.

• Perform payroll accounting, including GL posting, account reconciliation, and deduction reporting.

• Identify and resolve accounting and tax issues with agencies and the IRS.

SABHRS‑HR Support

• Support testing and implementation of PeopleSoft tax updates and Payroll/Time & Labor changes.

• Coordinate payroll and benefits processes with SABHRS schedules.

• Partner with agencies, IT, and HR to enhance system functionality and reporting.

Central Payroll Management

• Establish operating procedures and controls for Central Payroll.

• Manage hiring, staffing, and performance development.

• Assist with unit budget oversight and related financial management activities.

• Address inquiries related to SABHRS‑HR and supported modules.

Competencies - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This position requires an advanced knowledge of state and federal rules and regulations relating to payroll taxes, wages, benefits, travel pay, fringe benefits, labor laws, garnishments, reporting requirements, and accounting principles and practices.

An incumbent in this position must have the ability to: communicate effectively verbally and in writing; communicate complex information to individuals of varying functional- and technical-expertise levels; objectively develop working compromises when working with differing interests within the State Human Resources Division and agencies to prioritize customer requests; function effectively in instances of an emergency and with extreme deadline pressures; and effectively apply project management techniques to meet deadlines.

Education and Experience

Required for the first day of work, including alternatives:

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or related field.

• Five years' payroll, payroll accounting, and tax-related experience.

• Two years' supervisory experience.

Does this sound like you?

Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume and cover letter. (Please Note: You do not need to complete the "work experience" or the "education & certifications" portion of the application process in our recruiting system. You only need to upload the requested documentation.)

What can you expect from us in return for your hard work?

Ø Look here to see the additional benefits! They include:

o Work/life Balance

o Health Coverage

o Retirement plans

o Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays

o And more…

Ø Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.

Other important information to be aware of.

• This position requires successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.
• The Department of Administration participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• The first review of applicants will take place on October 6, 2026.
• In this position you will be afforded the opportunity to telework, however there will be required weekly in-office day(s) in Helena. Specific conditions will be outlined as part of the job offer and must adhere to state policy.