After an initial period of on-site work, this position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Regional Administration division is seeking a Payroll Specialist to work within Finance and Operations. Finance and Operations provides agency-wide financial, administrative, and operational services supporting the Metropolitan Council as a whole and its individual divisions. These services include accounting, financial reporting and payroll; the Council's operating and capital budgets; contracts and procurement; computerized systems for financial and personnel information; risk management; treasury functions; and services supporting the Council's headquarters facilities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
As a Payroll Specialist, you will provide timely and accurate preparation of pay in a central payroll unit for Metropolitan Council employees. You will audit, balance, and correct payroll documents, update our computerized payroll system, prepare deduction payment documents, diagnose issues and errors, and resolve routine problems.

• Analyze payroll functions by querying, reviewing reports, and applying expertise in all payroll data systems, including multiple time entry applications.
• Process the Council's biweekly payroll journals and entries; evaluate for accuracy, completeness, and conformity with established contracts and Council procedures.
• Evaluate current manual payroll processes and identify areas prone to errors, inefficiencies, and find opportunities for automation.
• Maintain accurate and confidential payroll records for all employees and ensure proper retention.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll matters or concerns.
• Generate payroll reports and audit the data for accuracy and compliance.
• Identify and resolve any discrepancies or errors in payroll records.
• Document payroll processes and procedures and assist in training colleagues on payroll-related tasks and systems.
• Perform periodic audits and reconciliations of payroll data to ensure accuracy.
• Collaborate with other departments to resolve payroll issues and assist in continuous improvement.
• Assist in year-end payroll tasks.
• Stay updated on industry best practices and payroll trends including federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Other related duties, as assigned.

Education: High School diploma or equivalent.
Experience: Three (3) years of related experience in a payroll or accounting/finance position. One of the three years can be substituted with a similar office position which emphasizes customer service.
Equivalency: An associate degree in accounting, finance, or related field and one (1) year of related experience in a payroll or accounting/finance position.

Desired Qualifications:

• PeopleSoft experience, preferably specific to payroll.
• Experience in a union environment.
• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

• Familiarity with all Metropolitan Council collective bargaining agreements and ability to apply the written contract to answer questions about payroll.
• General knowledge of the intricacies of all five current payrolls (i.e. Operators, Regional Administration, Environmental Services, ATU Mechanics & Office Employees, and Admin, which includes all non-represented, police and TMSA represented employees).
• Knowledge of time entry systems that interface with PeopleSoft such as, Synergen, People Soft Time & Labor, Hastus, TXBase, WorkForce Director and other packages that collect time and attendance data.
• Basic understanding of tax laws.
• Knowledge of payroll best practices.
• Knowledge of personal computers utilizing word processing, spreadsheets, and databases in a windows environment.
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft payroll processes.
• Basic working knowledge of all software systems used by Metropolitan Council payroll operations and the way they interface with payroll operations.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively with individuals and groups of customers or clients.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs
• Requires the skill to provide basic client services to the public and other agencies within the organization. Requires tact, courtesy, and cooperation in dealings with others where the primary purpose is the exchange of information. Promotes an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

Union/Grade: ATU/Grade C
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.