Salary : $94,474.78 - $130,233.99 Annually
Location : 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Non Represented
Job Number: 2026-39
Department: Finance
Division: General Finance
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description
Join our team as a Payroll Administrator!

Santa Margarita Water District is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Payroll Administrator to support the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll for all District employees. This role ensures employees are paid correctly, supports payroll tax reporting, coordinates benefit-related calculations, and partners closely with both Finance and Human Resources as the District continues to improve and modernize payroll operations. The position may transition into the Human Resources team in the future as payroll functions evolve. If you are someone who thrives on precision, collaboration, and being at the center of meaningful organizational improvements, this is your chance to make a lasting impact!

About the Role

The Payroll Administrator handles end-to-end payroll processing in a unionized public sector environment and maintains a high standard of accuracy, confidentiality, and service. The position works with minimal supervision and applies strong analytical skills to ensure compliance with federal, state, labor agreement, and CalPERS requirements. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys improving processes, collaborating across departments, and supporting a positive employee experience.

Essential Functions
What You Will Do

• Process payroll for all District employees and review, audit, and enter payroll data with accuracy.
• Administer changes in pay, deductions, taxes, retirement contributions, and benefit-related adjustments in accordance with MOUs and labor agreements.
• Perform payroll calculations including overtime, leave accruals, retroactive adjustments, premium pay, and final pay.
• Reconcile payroll records, general ledger accounts, benefit statements, and retirement system reports.
• Ensure compliance with applicable wage and hour laws, tax regulations, collective bargaining agreements, CalPERS rules, and District policies.
• Provide responsive and knowledgeable support to employees and departments regarding payroll questions and procedures.
• Support salary and benefit data needs for budgeting, forecasting, and audits.
• Assist with payroll system updates, testing, automation efforts, and process improvements.
• Maintain accurate payroll documentation and prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Human Resources as payroll processes integrate more closely with the District's HR functions.

What You Bring

• A strong commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and customer service.
• Ability to interpret and apply payroll laws, labor agreements, policies, and procedures.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Hands-on experience with ADP or similar payroll systems and HRIS platforms.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and business software.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.

Requisite Abilities/Qualifications & Guidelines
Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required. Coursework in accounting, finance, business, or a related field is preferred.
• Several years of progressive payroll experience, preferably in a unionized and/or public sector environment.
• Experience with ADP WFN is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with CalPERS reporting is strongly preferred.
• Payroll certifications are helpful but not required.
• Experience in the public sector is preferable.Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification, or equivalent, is desirable.

Other Necessary Requirements/Additional Information

To view the full job description click here:
Santa Margarita Water District offers a comprehensive benefit package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision and life insurance; and a variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status.

GENERAL LEAVE ACCRUAL: General leave is a multi-purpose leave providing for vacations, personal affairs, and non-job related illness/injuries.

• First year through five-year anniversary date of continuous employment: 11.67 hours per calendar month (140 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 304 hours.
• Sixth through ten-year anniversary date of continuous employment: 16 hours per calendar month (192 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 350 hours.
• Eleventh through fifteen-year anniversary date of continuous employment: 19.33 hours per calendar month (232 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 350 hours.
• Sixteenth year and beyond of continuous employment: 22.67 hours per calendar month (272 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 380 hours.

While accrual begins from the date of hire, for the most part, general leave may not be taken until completion of the employee's six-month probationary period.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Regular full and part-time employees are eligible to participate in the District's deferred compensation program. The District shall match an employee's contribution into the deferred compensation plan up to a maximum of $2,400 per employee per year, or $100 per pay-period. The contributions occur each pay period except the third pay period in those months with three pay dates.
HOLIDAYS: The District provides 11½ holidays (92 hours) per year for full-time employees.

FLEX SPENDING ACCOUNT: Through the District's Flexible Spending Account (FSA), employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible "out-of-pocket" (unreimbursed) medical expenses, child or dependent care.

LIFESTYLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: A benefit in which your employer sets money aside for you to use on eligible expenses related to physical, financial and emotional
well-being.

EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT: All full-time employees are eligible for reimbursement for educational training or certification training taken from any college, university, or accredited institution, up to the IRS annual limit with Department Head approval.

The aforementioned information is only a summary of the District's benefits. Detailed information may be found in the Personnel Rules and Regulations and/or the Memorandum of Understanding between the SMWDEA and the Santa Margarita Water District.
01

Do you have experience using ADP (WFN) for payroll processing?

• Yes
• No

02

Please describe your experience processing end-to-end payroll.
Required Question