Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue - Senior Payroll Specialist
Posted: 7/29/25
Salary: $36.74-$49.70 per hour
Location: Portland, OR
Application Deadline: August 22nd, 2025
Overview
We are hiring for our Senior Payroll Specialist position in preparation for an upcoming retirement. This role plays a crucial part in managing and coordinating the District’s bi-monthly payroll for all employees, handling complex and confidential payroll tasks with accuracy and discretion. The Senior Payroll Specialist ensures precise wage calculations, oversees employee timekeeping and payroll records, and carefully audits payroll data to maintain accuracy and compliance. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an understanding of complex payroll and internal tax reporting, as well as the ability to manage multiple responsibilities under tight payroll deadlines, while providing outstanding support to District personnel through clear communication, excellent customer service, and exceptional attention to detail. If that person is you, please take a moment to check out our recruitment flyer and review the job posting below. More questions? Click here to be connected with our recruitment team. CBOC morning.png
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
END-TO-END PAYROLL PROCESSING
Coordinates all processes for each payroll cycle, proactively meeting all payroll deadlines and maintaining a high standard of accuracy. Identifies and calculates pay variances according to union contracts and policy. Coordinates and maintains data related to payroll for quality assurance. Develops and implements continuous internal controls to ensure payroll process accuracy. Leads and directs the Payroll Assistant in areas of data entry, timesheet batch processes, balancing of payroll liabilities, and interpretation of District policy. Monitors payroll processes and makes schedule changes as required; monitors the workflow and adjusts procedures as required. Monitors and interprets changes in federal and state laws and regulations involved with the administration of payroll. Manages timely transfer of files and payments related to direct deposit and payroll taxes. Coordinates tracking of employee benefits in areas associated with leaves, workers compensation, modified duty, OFLA/FMLA, and Oregon Paid Family Medical Leave. Serves as first line of communication supporting high priority and escalated customer service issues.
TIMESHEETS
Serves as primary system administrator for the District’s electronic timekeeping software, including implementing configuration, regularly updating system to correspond to individual personnel actions, and troubleshooting issues with end users and with the vendor. Audits and reviews Payroll Assistant administrative tasks related to timesheet processing. Consults with department heads regarding employee time to abide by policy and laws. Coordinates training of managers in use of the timekeeping system.
SPECIAL PAYROLL PROCESSES
Processes out-of-system payroll transactions, involving making detailed computations of final pay for separating employees. Prepares payroll data for special incident deployments, including calculating benefit costs. Calculates often complex retroactive payments as directed and warranted.
QUARTERLY TAX REPORTING
Reconciles and prepares quarterly tax filings. Performs tax research on potential issues to maintain compliance and recommends the best course of action.
PERS ADMINISTRATIVE LIAISON
Performs actions to ensure alignment of personnel and payroll data between the District and Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) system based off classification, wage type, and limits. Performs semi-monthly reconciliation process and takes corrective actions as warranted. Ensures compliance with statutory provisions regarding retirees remaining on contract. Creates and audits PERS/USERRA wage reporting documentation for military leave. Monitors and reviews all PERS legislative updates and administrative rulemaking as it pertains to wages and taxes.
AUDIT AND RECONCILIATION
Develops reports and conducts different levels of auditing for quality assurance. Participates in cross functional teams to ensure accurate payroll employee deductions and employer contributions, making necessary adjustments through journal entries or other established procedures. Provides records and documents for Finance annual audit as requested by auditors.
SYSTEM UPGRADES
Coordinates the payroll testing process for quarterly upgrades within the District’s payroll system by assigning and tracking testing processes. Identifies issues and makes recommendations regarding implementation. Documents changes to processes and procedures. For a complete description of each of these areas of responsibility, as well as the secondary functions, we invite you to review the job description. Senior Payroll Specialist description image Qualifications The education and experience minimum requirements below are those typically required for performing the job functions (unless specifically noted to be preferred). Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
EDUCATION:
Associate degree, preferably in business, accounting or related field. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
- Five (5) years of experience coordinating a complex payroll along with internal tax reporting, preferably within the public sector.
- Thorough knowledge of principles and practices related to full-cycle payroll administration, including system configuration, process workflow, and applying a wide range of rules to various segments of the workforce.
- Knowledge of garnishments, tax levies, and child support processing preferred. In-depth understanding of proper taxation and deduction for compliance with federal, state, and local tax law, and wage and hour regulations.
- Intermediate skills in Excel. Advanced skills preferred. Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with Tyler Enterprise ERP (formerly known as MUNIS) and the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) is preferred, but not required.
For additional information on the requirements for this position, please see the job description. Senior Payroll Specialist description image Supplemental Information TVF&R evaluates each applicant's work history and responses to supplemental questions. Please be sure to thoroughly answer the application's supplemental questions to ensure our subject matter experts can appropriately evaluate your experience and qualifications.
ANTICIPATED TIMELINE:
Consideration of candidates will occur immediately upon application receipt, with evaluation steps moving very quickly for qualified candidates. The open period may close without notice as soon as a sufficient number of qualified candidates are received. The target start date is October 1, 2025.
COMPENSATION:
The hourly range for this position is $36.74 - $49.70 per hour. The starting pay assignment is based on a candidate's bona fide factor analysis in accordance with the District's pay equity system and the Oregon Equal Pay Act.
WORK LOCATION:
TVF&R strives to provide exceptional internal and external customer service. This is a hybrid-eligible position with the employee performing their on-site work at TVF&R’s Command and Business Operations Center, 11945 SW 70th Ave. in Tigard.
VETERANS PREFERENCE:
It is the District's policy to provide eligible veterans with preference as required by law. Applicants must provide certification of eligibility for entitlement to the preference (e.g. DD-214 long form clearly showing discharge status) with the application submission by the closing date of the posting.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
TVF&R is an equal employment opportunity employer and seeks to attract a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve in order to deliver safe, professional, and high-performance service.
ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS:
Persons needing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for any part of the application process should contact Human Resources staff at 503-649-8577. We accept operator relay calls. If you’re deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please call 711 for assistance.
How to Apply: