Payroll Coordinator

Canyons School District

$88K — $98K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3 years of payroll processing experience required.
  • Experience with computerized payroll systems and Microsoft Excel (including VLOOKUP and pivot tables) essential.
  • Education equivalent to an Associate's degree required, with experience substitution allowed.
  • Desirable proficiency in payroll software such as HCM, Colleague, and Power BI.
  • Prior payroll experience in educational or public agency settings preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Organize and perform payroll activities, ensuring timely and legal reporting of payroll systems.
  • Review, process, and audit payroll data for accuracy and compliance.
  • Maintain knowledge of Federal, State, and educational laws affecting payroll processing.
  • Process employment-related documents for accuracy in the payroll system.
  • Ensure compliance with retirement systems and related employee information.
  • Compile and submit payroll tax deposits and assist in tax report preparations.
  • Provide payroll information and support for department inquiries and audits.

Benefits

  • Regular work schedule with occasional flexibility as approved by supervisor.
  • Accrual of paid holiday and sick time.
  • Ten vacation days in the first year of employment.
  • Completion of a six-month probationary period for new hires.
Full Job Description
Salary: $7,346.00 - $8,238.00 Monthly
Location : Santa Clarita, CA
Job Type: Classified Represented
Job Number:
Division: Business Services
Department: Payroll
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 9/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Two weeks prior to the deadline to submit applications, the diversity of current applicants will be assessed. Upon review, if the pool does not include sufficient diversity at that time, the application window may be extended.
The Santa Clarita Community College District/College of the Canyons is seeking a full-time Payroll Coordinator in the Business Services division.

Salary placement will be on Range 47 of Classified Salary Schedule B. Initial salary step placement for new employees is customarily at step 1, 2, or 3 ($7,346.00 / $7,794.00 / $8,238.00 per month) of this 20-step salary range.

Probationary period for new Classified Represented employees is six months. Work year is 12 calendar months. The normal workweek for this position is 40 hours. Paid holiday, discretionary, and sick time are provided. Ten vacation days accrue during the first year of employment. A regular work schedule will be assigned, with the ability to occasionally work a flexible schedule as needed with supervisor approval.

Position Description:
Under the supervision of the Director, Payroll Services, in conjunction with the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Business Services, the Payroll Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of payroll-related entries and reporting into the Los Angeles County Office of Education, District, and other related institutional/governmental agency computerized payroll systems. Performs a variety of highly skilled and specialized payroll and district retirement plan functions for the District. Prepares employee historical payroll, employment, and other related statistical data reports. Assures accuracy and conformance with established policies and procedures. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Example of Duties

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

  1. Organizes, plans and performs payroll activities to assure timely preparation, distribution and legal reporting of a complex payroll system while meeting multiple demanding payroll schedules and timelines.
  2. Reviews, prepares, processes, audits and balances complete payrolls from print, electronic, and/or other forms of time reporting for all District employees. Enters time worked into the Los Angeles County Office of Education computerized payroll system. Determines appropriate budget account codes, retirement codes, withholding for taxes, Social Security and Medicare status, Unemployment Insurance and payroll deductions.
  3. Maintains knowledge of, interprets, and ensures compliance with current legislation, Federal, State and Education Code laws, PERS and CalSTRS regulations, collective bargaining agreements, employee contract provisions, and other District policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to payroll processing.
  4. Processes and enters employment-related documents for all new and current employees into Los Angeles County Office of Education computerized payroll system. Performs high level analysis in order to maintain an accurate employee database and related District tables, including verifying and updating all personnel related information, employee benefits selections, and voluntary deductions.
  5. Ensures continuity and compliance with various retirement systems. Researches, interprets, and determines employees' applicable retirement plan membership. Clarifies related employee information through the coordination and review of Human Resources retirement questionnaire, communication with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, correspondence with other districts, and data obtained from CalSTRS and PERS retirement agencies.
  6. Interprets and adheres to the multifaceted reporting requirements for the CalSTRS Cash Balance retirement program. Researches, analyzes, reviews, verifies, adjusts, and prepares employee historical payroll and employment statistical data reports for related County and State agencies. Prepares finalized retirement report information for use by Fiscal Services in identifying related account distribution and processing warrant for timely submittal to CalSTRS.
  7. Coordinates, maintains, and provides reconciled reports to the District's Third Party Administrator in the processing of employee Tax Sheltered Annuity contracts. Verifies, updates, and sets up related employee deduction records. Applies and processes payments of administrative fees. Develops customized employee reports as requested by Third Party Administrator.
  8. Maintains timely and accurate implementation of District salary schedules and work calendars in accordance with collective bargaining agreements, employee contract provisions, and other District policies, procedures including the District's academic calendar to comply with compensation and work day requirements.
  9. Coordinates with District MIS department in order to record and maintain accurate employee leave accruals and disbursements in the District's information system. Records and maintains detailed permanent employee records regarding accrual and disbursement of sick, vacation and other paid/unpaid leaves. Processes related reports and payments according to collective bargaining agreements, employee contract provisions, and other District policies, procedures.
  10. Compiles and processes timely and accurate payroll tax deposits as well as assists with the quarterly and annual Federal, State and Unemployment Insurance payroll tax reports. Provides employee salary history and position information in response to State EDD audits, and for other authorized governmental jurisdictions.
  11. Ensures compliance with underlying regulations for voluntary and required payroll deductions. Reviews accuracy of requests for employee voluntary deductions. Reconciles employee deductions with monthly vendor invoices and processes warrant requests for related payments.
  12. Tracks and ensures accurate calculations of temporary employees' workdays and hours in accordance with Ed Code and District policies. Communicates with supervisors and Human Resources as workdays and hour time limits are approached.
  13. Determines the causes of payroll errors and discrepancies in payments or records and makes corrections and adjustments as necessary. Assists District personnel in resolving payroll concerns.
  14. Retains complete and accurate records and documents for all employees relating to payroll and fringe benefits. Ensures compliance with record retention policies and procedures in order to assure the security and accessibility of documents and records.
  15. Coordinates with Human Resources regarding employee leave calendars for Workers' Compensation, medical leaves, and Unemployment Insurance information. Processes payroll adjustments according to collective bargaining agreements, employee contract provisions, and State and Federal guidelines.
  16. Assists in the preparation of various reports including but not limited to, year-to-date tax earnings, payroll estimates and analysis, employee compensation information, and other payroll-related reports as assigned. Reconciles reports and audits for accuracy.
  17. Presents Payroll Services information at new employee orientations. Participates in Professional Development workshops in coordination with other Business Services departments, providing critical information in a timely manner to other departments on campus.
  18. Provides payroll information and documents as requested by faculty, staff, students, and other miscellaneous requests. Responds to official inquiries regarding employee's working status and earnings in response to auditors and/or employment verification requests.
  19. Performs various administrative and clerical duties as required, including but not limited to typing correspondence, reports and forms, copying and filing documents, faxing information, establishing and maintaining files, attending meetings and assisting District administrators, staff, and faculty.
  20. Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information and works effectively with minimal supervision and frequent interruptions.
  21. Performs other related duties as assigned.


Demonstrated Knowledge and Abilities:

Position requires ability to:
  • Learn, interpret and apply legal mandates, policies, regulations, and guidelines and operational procedure.
  • Demonstrate excellent customer service skills and ability to multi-task in a high stress, team-oriented environment.
  • Perform repetitive work, or continuously perform the same work with accuracy and efficiency.
  • Adapt to changing payroll and procedural requirements.
  • Analyze data and solve non-routine problems using good judgment and applying generally accepted accounting principles.
  • Interface in difficult situations, assess complex and technical problems, collect data, and suggest potential solutions to minimize problems from escalating.
  • Write technical reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals or handbooks related to payroll.
  • Work independently while meeting schedules and timelines.
  • Establish and maintain comprehensive and accurate files and records as well as prepare concise and complete reports as required.
  • Provide appropriate information to the students, faculty, staff, and the public in a friendly and professional manner.
  • Maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and privileged material and information.
  • Communicate effectively and accurately orally and in written form.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, faculty, staff, temporary employees, and others connected in the performance of duties.
  • Work effectively and demonstrate currency of knowledge with computers and other forms of advanced technology utilized in providing high-quality services.
  • Type with speed and accuracy using automated payroll system, word processing, spreadsheet, database; and make arithmetical calculations in like manner.
  • Apply knowledge of modern office practices and equipment, including record management and filing systems, receptionist and telephone techniques, correspondence and report writing.
  • Apply knowledge of proper English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
  • Demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff and community.

Qualifications and Minimum Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

Experience:
Three (3) years of full-time equivalent experience processing payroll. Experience using a computerized payroll system and Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP's and pivot tables) is required. Payroll experience working in an educational institution or public agency system is desirable.

Education:
Education equivalent to an Associate's degree from an accredited institution is required. Two (2) additional years of payroll processing experience in addition to that identified above may be substituted for each year (30 units) of the educational requirement.

Desired Qualifications:
Proficiency in Payroll Software (HCM Human Capital Management system, Colleague, Power BI).

Physical Characteristics:
Position requires sitting and viewing a computer monitor for extended periods of time plus frequent periods of standing and walking, which may include climbing staircases; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and related equipment; reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, and crawling; frequently exert 10 to 20 pounds of f

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