Payroll Manager

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: June 1, 2025

FTE: 1.0

Salary Level: $134,575 - $182,656 DOE

Union/Work Year: Exempt ; 12-month 260 days

Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools

Additional Information:

General Responsibilities:

Supervise payroll and fiscal staff

Lead the department to interpret and apply District policies, union agreements, and procedures with good judgment

Maintain professional, courteous interactions with staff, students, and community

Typical Job Duties:

Manages the preparation and processing of all payroll functions including automated and manual payroll functions; ensures the accuracy and timely filing of all periodic and annual reports and tax returns; ensures the accuracy of all payroll deductions/salary deductions.

Ensures adequate internal controls are implemented and maintained in the payroll system and payroll processing procedures.

Maintains necessary payroll related accounts to provide full disclosure of payroll and benefit deduction information; ensures accuracy and timeliness of interface of payroll information into the District’s financial system.

Participates, as assigned, in collective bargaining; prepares and presents confidential and budget reports for bargaining and labor/management decision making; reviews all proposed changes in collective bargaining agreements; analyzes the operational impact of proposals; ensures that all necessary changes in procedures are completed to implement all approved collective bargaining agreements and District policies and regulations.

Keeps abreast of, communicates changes to, and ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and District laws, policies and regulations, including all tax laws and retirement system changes; provides information to District management on payroll laws, policies, and procedures.

This position is responsible for managing all payroll operations and the payroll portion of the human resources system of the District; serves as a resource and participant in labor negotiations as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Manages the preparation and processing of all payroll functions including automated and manual payroll functions; ensures the accuracy and timely filing of all periodic and annual reports and tax returns; ensures the accuracy of all payroll deductions/salary deductions.

2. Ensures adequate internal controls are implemented and maintained in the payroll system and payroll processing procedures.

3. Supervises all payroll office staff; evaluates staff performance, plans and oversees training and staff development activities; develops plans of improvement and implements discipline, when necessary, as prescribed by the collective bargaining agreements.

4. Maintains necessary payroll related accounts to provide full disclosure of payroll and benefit deduction information; ensures accuracy and timeliness of interface of payroll information into the District’s financial system.

5. Participates, as assigned, in collective bargaining; prepares and presents confidential and budget reports for bargaining and labor/management decision making; reviews all proposed changes in collective bargaining agreements; analyzes the operational impact of proposals; ensures that all necessary changes in procedures are completed to implement all approved collective bargaining agreements and District policies and regulations.

6. Keeps abreast of, communicates changes to, and ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and District laws, policies and regulations, including all tax laws and retirement system changes; provides information to District management on payroll laws, policies, and procedures.

7. Responds to and resolves complex payroll-related questions, problems, audit issues, and exceptions; researches and provides financial analysis in response to audits, grievances, employee claims, and lawsuits; follows-up and implements payments and/or changes to procedures as required by responses, settlements, and lawsuits.

8. Directs the development and implementation of system and procedure modifications to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of payroll data.

9. Promotes teamwork in the working environment; coaches and leads payroll office staff in good customer relations and high-quality service.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Participates in departmental and interdepartmental meetings pertaining to payroll.

2. Prepares various payroll-related reports and special studies; performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.

3. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.

CONDITIONS

Confined to work station for prolonged periods; experience prolong visual concentration and exposure to video display; required to occasionally work overtime to meet payroll deadlines; required to deal with difficult and sensitive situations and/or people; may be required to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, and/or be mobile.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or related field and four years of experience supervising a mid-size to large automated payroll operation; experience in school District payroll in Washington State is desired; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is desired.

Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.

Allowable Substitution

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be evaluated by the Human Resources Department for comparability.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of payroll laws, regulations, systems and internal control standards.

Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Strong management and interpersonal skills.

Strong customer service skills.

Skill in communicating orally and in writing.

Ability to operate a personal computer with related spreadsheet and word processing software and database applications.

Ability to plan and organize work with changing priorities.

Ability to assess training needs and make recommendations.

Ability to work within difficult and inflexible deadlines.

Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.

Ability to participate as part of a team.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

• Civil Rights Coordinator: Renee Trueblood, 253-571-1252, civilrights@tacoma.k12.wa.us
• Title IX Coordinator, Elementary: Christa Erolin, 253-571-1318, cerolin@tacoma.k12.wa.us
• Title IX Coordinator, Secondary: Wayne Greer, 253-571-1191, wgreer@tacoma.k12.wa.us
• 504 Coordinator, Elementary: Jennifer Herbold, 253-571-1096, jherbol@tacoma.k12.wa.us
• 504 Coordinator, Secondary: Megan Nelson, 253-571-1003, mnelson@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.

Closing Date/Time: Tue, 13 May 2025

• 

• Tacoma Public Schools

• 253-571-1157

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