Payroll Specialist

Garfield County School District 16

Job Title: Payroll Specialist
Location: District Administration Office
Job Family: Classified 
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Non-exempt
Terms of Employment: 12-Month
Pay Range: Support Staff Hourly Salary Schedule: $22.85 to $39.97 per hour
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Supervises: N/A
Anticipated Start Date: October 15, 2025
Job ID#: 1467
Position Summary: Perform professional payroll duties and administration of benefit plans. 

Position Responsibilities:
• Compile, process, and generate accurate and timely direct-deposit advices for a monthly payroll. Research issues identified by employees or supervisors. Maintain a file of backup documentation for all payroll calculations.
• Maintain current understanding and application of all rules, regulations, and procedures regarding payroll and PERA.
• Compile, reconcile, and process all federal and state withholding taxes, Medicare, quarterly 941s, and W-2s, quarterly unemployment reports, in a timely, accurate, and legal manner.
• Input, reconcile, and pay all salary deductions to various vendors (PERA, insurance, garnishments, annuities, dues, etc.). Complete journal entries and accounts payable check requests as needed. Troubleshoot errors in billing or employee deductions. Reconcile monthly to accounting records.
• Coordinate communication and required materials needed for the smooth operation of payroll and employee benefits. Manage appropriate withholding amounts and manage accurate records of changes to employee benefits. Work with plan administrator(s) to reconcile and pay monthly insurance premiums.
• Manage and prepare information relating to accrued salaries, sick leave, vacation leave, and insurance for auditors. Reconcile monthly to accounting records.
• Maintain all payroll rules and regulations in the current timekeeping system for the correct calculation of time worked, including issuing employee fobs and badges.
• Consistently interpret leave policies for all employees and maintain records of leave time (i.e., PTO, vacation, etc.).
• Maintain records retention management system as dictated by the Colorado Department of Education and state and federal statutes.
• Maintain district workers’ compensation policy.
• Perform secretarial duties as needed (i.e,. filing, typing).
• Perform other duties assigned. 

Required Knowledge, Skills & Ability:
• State and Federal laws and regulations governing wage and hour.
• Payroll principles, practices, regulations, and procedures.
• Accounting practices and procedures.
• Customer service techniques and principles.
• District organization, operations, policies, and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:
• High school diploma or equivalent, college degree preferred in business, finance, accounting or related field.
• 3 Years of payroll and accounting experience.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of computers, keyboarding, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
• Strong time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with people.
• Successful experience working with confidential information in an office setting.
• Filing and record-keeping experience
• Criminal background check required for hire.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license.

Essential Physical Requirements:
The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Activities:
• Stand: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Walk: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Sit: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feet: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Reach with hands and arms: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Climb or balance: Under 1/3 Time
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: Under 1/3 Time
• Talk: Over 2/3 of work time
• Hear: Over 2/3 of work time
• Taste: None
• Smell: None

Weight and Force Demands:
• Up to 10 pounds: Over 2/3 of work time
• Up to 25 pounds: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Up to 50 pounds: Under 1/3 of work time
• Up to 100 pounds: None
• More than 100 pounds: None

Mental Functions:
• Compare: Over 2/3 of work time
• Analyze: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Communicate: Over 2/3 of work time
• Copy: Under 1/3 of work time
• Coordinate: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Instruct: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Compute: Under 1/3 of work time
• Synthesize: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Evaluate: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Interpersonal Skills: Over 2/3 of work time
• Compile: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time
• Negotiate: Between 1/3 to 2/3 of work time

Work Environment:
• Wet or humid conditions (non-weather): None
• Work near moving mechanical parts: Between 1/2 to 2/3 of work time
• Work in high, precarious places: Under 1/3 of work time
• Fumes or airborne particles: Under 1/3 of work time
• Toxic or caustic chemicals: Under 1/3 of work time
• Outdoor weather conditions: Under 1/3 of work time
• Extreme cold (non-weather): None
• Extreme heat (non-weather): None
• Risk of electrical shock: Under 1/3 of work time
• Work with explosives: None
• Risk of radiation: None
• Vibration: Under 1/3 of work time

Vision Demands:
• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less): Required
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more): Required
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors): Required
• Peripheral vision: Required
• Depth perception: Required
• Ability to adjust focus: Required

Noise Level:
• Exposure Level: Moderate to Very Loud

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, Garfield County School District No.16 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, family composition, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Harassment, if it rises to the level described in state law, is a prohibited form of discrimination.