Summary This Special Duty/Term-Limited Temporary Payroll Specialist position at the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) is an opportunity to join a team responsible for processing a complex payroll for 1,100 employees in KCSO! The payroll processes performed are some of the most complicated in the county and contain many variables based on the language of multiple labor contracts, Sheriff's Office policies, procedures and past practices. The successful candidate welcomes new challenges and is able to analyze, investigate and problem-solve. The position will work directly with all levels of management and provide high-level customer service to commissioned and non-commissioned roles. This position will also support the Payroll Team on a various time-sensitive projects. This term-limited temporary position is eligible for benefits, and is expected to last approximately 12 months.
DURATION: This Special Duty Assignment / Term-Limited Temporary position is eligible for benefits and is expected to last approximately 12 months. WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to the public and to current King County employees. Candidates currently working in KCSO who are applying for this opportunity as a Special Duty Assignment must obtain approval from their chain of command. Please send the approval to Jessica Lussier at Jessica.Lussier@kingcounty.gov. WORK LOCATION: King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle; located at: 516 - 3rd AVE, Seattle, WA 98104. WORK SCHEDULE:This is full-time, FLSA non-exempt and overtime eligible with prior supervisor approval. Typical work schedule is 40-hours per week, Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, but may vary by assignment. Additional hours may be necessary to respond to workload needs, which may include evenings and weekends. The minimum onsite days in the office will be three days per week.
Job Duties
The responsibilities and functions of this assignment includes:
- Process payroll and/or timekeeping transactions using various software programs including PeopleSoft modules;
- Process overtime, attendance, holiday pay, action pay, step increases, leave donations and all other routine maintenance functions;
- Review overtime slips for coding and compliance, validation reports for overtime accuracy and attendance reports for accuracy;
- Review, calculate and process specialty pay(s) including; lead, out of class, standby, and contract related premiums; periodically, audit special records to ensure labor contracts and MOUs are met;
- Respond to inquiries from agency representatives and employees on the status of services, contracts, grants, fee receipts, accounts receivable, and accounts payable;
- Verify employee attendance in order to accurately calculate employee pay variances in accordance to the corresponding collective bargaining agreement;
- Prepare correspondence, reports, forms, and statistical data such as charts, tables and graphs;
- Interpret established payroll rules and procedures for labor contracts in addition to County and State rules and regulations to internal and external customers; respond to third party inquiries regarding employee payroll data;
- Organize, oversee, and maintain payroll files;
- Maintain confidentiality;
- Prioritize and monitor workload to ensure deadlines are met;
- Promote atmosphere of teamwork;
- Perform special assignments as needed;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills Qualified candidates will have a minimum of two years demonstrated experience performing financial/payroll processes with knowledge and skills in the following areas:
- Knowledge of payroll production, processes and procedures;
- Knowledge of Federal and State laws and regulations to include Fair Labor Standards Act, Family Medical Leave, Workers’ Compensation and human resources policies and procedures;
- Interpreting and analyzing data, union contracts, regulations, laws and polices and procedures;
- Knowledge of record keeping and monitoring procedures; ability to research and compile information; skill in comparing records and data for accuracy;
- Researching/reconciling errors and discrepancies; advanced problem-solving skills; proven experience validating and reconciling reports;
- Ability to respond to unanticipated requests and work in a high-pressured environment with strict deadlines while remaining calm and professional;
- Exceptional communication and customer service skills (with diverse audiences) orally, written and in person and the ability to be diplomatic and sensitive while effectively communicating information;
- Strong ability to organize and multi-task, working with various forms of data;
- Work cohesively with a team to meet objectives as well as work independently with minimal supervision;
- Basic skills in Microsoft Office Excel, proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel;
- Reliable and predictable attendance;
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working with large payroll systems such as PeopleSoft, Enterprise, etc.;
- Experience processing payroll for 200 or more employees;
- Experience working with multiple union contracts and applying terms within a payroll system;
- Knowledge of King County human resources policies and procedures;
- Experience in creating Excel spreadsheets for data analysis including data filter, subtotals and pivot tables;
- Knowledge of payroll compliance laws.
Supplemental Information
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- You must be a United States citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, or deferred action childhood arrival (DACA) recipient.
- You must be able to meet all KCSO background standards as listed in section 10.14 of the Civil Service Rules. Background requirements will be evaluated throughout the hiring process
- Verify that you do not meet any of the KCSO Automatic Disqualifiers
- Must pass thorough background investigation, including a polygraph.
- You must have the ability to read, speak, and write in the English language fluently.
TO APPLY: Please carefully review the list of required materials before submitting your application.
- Review the list of KCSO Automatic Disqualifiers and verify your qualification for employment with King County Sheriff's Office
- Complete answers to all the supplemental questions.
- If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Jessica Lussier at Jessica.Lussier@kingcounty.gov.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jessica Lussier, Human Resources Analyst - Senior 206-263-2542 Jessica.Lussier@kingcounty.gov
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is represented by PSEU: Public Safety Employees Union. King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us. King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
Benefits
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
