Senior Payroll Specialist

$5,533.23 - $7,106.25JOB SUMMARY:Under the supervision of the Payroll Manager, this role supports accurate, timely county-wide payroll operations by processing payroll transactions, entering and validating payroll data, calculating withholdings and benefit payments, and issuing supplemental checks. The position prepares, analyzes, and audits payroll processes and related reports, reconciles payroll and financial records, and provides guidance to departments on payroll documentation, coding, and procedures to ensure compliance and data integrity.The Payroll Lead must exercise sound judgment and discretion, follow established security protocols, promptly report suspected breaches or irregularities, and model ethical behavior in all payroll activities. Strong attention to detail, commitment to data privacy best practices, and the ability to collaborate with HR, Finance, and IT to maintain secure processes and controls are essential.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

(The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. Mesa County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)

• Payroll Processing & Transactions
  • Process end‑to‑end payroll transactions including time entry review, merit/pay adjustments, retroactive calculations, supplemental checks, direct deposits, withholding and benefit payments.
  • Prepare and post payroll to the general ledger and reconcile payroll costing for departmental expenditure tracking.
• Compliance, Reporting & Audits
  • Verify and reconcile monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll tax reports (including Form 941, unemployment filings, W‑2 reconciliation) for multiple entities; assist in W‑2 preparation and employee tax inquiries.
  • Handle garnishments, levies, and support orders; prepare vouchers, respond to notices, and notify employees as required.
  • Ensure payroll operations meet federal and state legal requirements (including FLSA) and maintain documentation for audits.
• Systems & Data Integrity
  • Maintain payroll system accuracy and access controls; review and validate HR‑provided employee data, merit increases, promotions, hires and terminations.
  • Monitor, clean, and analyze payroll, absence, and time‑tracking data; produce YTD gross‑to‑net spreadsheets to ensure 941 balancing.
• Leadership & Collaboration
  • Provide guidance and foster a team environment for payroll staff; assist in workload division and ensure responsibilities are met for accurate, timely payroll processing.
  • Act as payroll lead in the manager’s absence; train and support County departments, timekeepers, and HR.
  • Develop and maintain quality working relationships with HR, Finance, Treasurer, IT, department managers, vendors, and other county stakeholders.
• Customer Service & Communication
  • Respond to employment verifications, payroll inquiries, and vendor correspondence with tact, discretion, and clarity.
  • Contribute to payroll communications and education (website content, newsletters, training materials).
• Continuous Improvement & Special Projects
  • Review and recommend improvements to payroll policies, procedures, and controls; support special projects and inter‑county surveys as assigned.
  • Uphold cybersecurity awareness and fraud prevention practices within payroll operations.
• Confidentiality & Ethics
  • Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and integrity when handling sensitive personal and financial data.

Unique Challenges of Local Government Payroll

Complex Deductions & Benefits: Processing for police/fire/State Employee retirement systems, which are often separate from Social Security.

Union & Contractual Rules: Pay calculations are often governed by detailed, rigid Collective Bargaining Agreements that mandate specific accrual rates, differential pay, and step increases.

Public Accountability: Payroll records are subject to public disclosure laws, requiring meticulous accuracy and transparency.

Funding & Budgeting: Payroll operations must align with government fiscal calendars and budgetary constraints.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:

Two (2) years of college or technical school (preferred).

Four (4) years of payroll processing experience.

Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Certified Payroll Professional Certificate (desired)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

This position requires standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 25 pounds.  Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act the following items can be used as a determining factor in the starting and ongoing wage of an employee working in this position:

A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment.

A merit system that rewards employees for exceptional job performance.

Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to the work in question.

This position is eligible for the Mesa County benefit package which includes the following:

Medical                                                     Paid Sick Leave

Life insurance                                            Vision

Long term disability                                  Dental

Retirement                                                Paid Vacation Leave

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Agency

Mesa County

Address

544 Rood Ave

Grand Junction, CO 81501

Phone

970- 244 - 1856

Website

http://www.mesacounty.us