Payroll Specialist

City of St. Louis Park, MN

$81K — $101K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 4 years of payroll processing experience or related education
  • Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines
  • Confidentiality and effective prioritization skills
  • Experience with payroll laws and compliance requirements (preferred)
  • Certification as a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) (preferred)
  • Experience with JD Edwards HRIS (preferred)

Responsibilities

  • Process bi-weekly payroll in compliance with pay plans and agreements
  • Create and maintain employee payroll records and master files
  • Verify and adjust employee time sheets and special payroll checks
  • Reconcile payroll reports and file required year-end documents
  • Provide timely responses to payroll-related inquiries from employees
  • Maintain payroll records, including taxes and support orders
  • Monitor updates in federal and state tax regulations affecting payroll

Benefits

  • Flexible/hybrid work schedule (3 days onsite, 2 days remote)
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Opportunity to process payroll for city employees
  • Engagement with collective bargaining agreements
  • Support for professional development and education reimbursement
Full Job Description
Salary: $81,345.00 - $101,681.00 Annually
Location : City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026R-25
Department: Administrative Services Department
Opening Date: 06/09/2026
Closing Date: 6/24/2026 11:59 PM Central

Job Summary

Responsible for processing payroll for all employees, maintaining records, processing and remitting required withholdings and deductions, and preparing and filing related reports. Provides excellent customer service regarding payroll activities and requires a high level of accuracy, focus, and commitment during biweekly payroll processing weeks, including the ability to work extended hours when necessary.

This is a hybrid role working three days onsite and two days remote.
Duties and Responsibilities

  • Responsible for processing bi-weekly payroll for city employees in accordance with approved pay plans and collective bargaining agreements, reviewing all data for content and accuracy.
    • Create and update employee payroll records and master files.
    • Verify and correct employee time sheets, process special payroll checks and adjustments such as termination checks and wage assignments.
    • Balance, sort, distribute, prepare, reconcile, and file all payroll related reports including W2's, state and federal tax statements, PERA reports, and other year-end payroll reports.
    • Answer all questions regarding employee payroll, payroll reports, and related issues.
    • Maintain appropriate payroll records including taxes, retirement, PERA, garnishments and levies, child/spousal support orders, and others.
    • Monitor federal and state tax changes and IRS regulations that affect city HR/payroll business operations.
    • Process payments for annual cash out or transfer of accrued leave, uniform allowance, supplemental or assignment pay, and all other special payments.
    • Provide input to help create and implement new payroll deductions and programs based on city policy and/or collective bargaining agreements.
  • Responsible for entry, review, retrieval, and maintenance of payroll data in the city's payroll information system (JDEdwards).
    • Work with vendor to maintain accuracy and integrity of data, identify and solve problems or opportunities for improvement, input and retrieve data, and ensure overall efficient operations of the system.
  • Process eligible reimbursement requests for tuition reimbursements and keep track of approved coursework and other related files.
  • Prepare reports as needed including bi-weekly leave reports, monthly reports, audit reports and schedules, and quarterly statements. Research and provide information to supervisory personnel as requested concerning payroll related questions/problems.
    • Assist in tracking and monitoring employee leaves of absence and other leave banks.
    • Conduct written and oral employment verifications and other requests for payroll information in compliance with MN Data Practices Act.


Minimum Qualifications

  • A combination of 4 years of hands on payroll processing experience or education in payroll, accounting, or related area.
  • Computer proficiency, including word processing and spreadsheet applications.
  • Ability to work independently, confidentially, and prioritize work with multiple deadlines.
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks effectively under pressure created by constantly varying and conflicting demands and deadlines.

Desired Qualifications

  • Four years of hands on payroll processing experience.
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
  • Strong working knowledge of payroll laws, federal/state tax regulations, and compliance requirements.
  • Experience with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
  • Experience with running year end reports.
  • Payroll experience in public sector with union environment.
  • Experience with JD Edwards HRIS program.


Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Applications and questions must be filled out completely for consideration.
This position is eligible for a competitive benefits package.
01

How many years of experience do you have processing payroll?
  • I do not have this experience
  • Less than two years of experience
  • Two to four years of experience
  • Four to six years of experience
  • Six years to eight years of experience
  • Eight years of experience or more

02

Describe your payroll experience, including years of experience and employer(s).
03

What level of education you have completed in payroll, accounting or a related field?
  • Some college coursework in a related field (no degree)
  • Associate's degree in a related field
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field
  • Master's degree in a related field
  • Doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in a related field
  • None of the above

04

If you do not have a degree, how many years of education do you have in payroll, accounting, or related area
  • Less than one year
  • One to two years
  • Two to three years
  • Three to four years
  • Not applicable

05

List your highest related education and where you obtained it.
06

Do you have a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification?
  • Yes
  • No

07

Do you have payroll work experience in a municipal or government setting?
  • Yes
  • No

08

Describe your payroll experience in a municipal or government agency.
09

Do you have payroll work experience in a union environment?
  • Yes
  • No

10

Describe your experience with payroll in a union environment.
11

Do you have payroll work experience with JD Edwards (JDE) HRIS program?
  • Yes
  • No

12

Describe your payroll experience with JDE.
13

Do you have experience with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)?
  • Yes
  • No

14

Describe your experience with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
15

Do you have experience with running year end reports?
  • Yes
  • No

16

Describe your experience with running year end reports.
17

Source: Please select one recruitment source that best describes how you first learned about this job opening.
  • I am a current employee
  • Indeed
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter (X)
  • College or university
  • City job notification email
  • City newsletter
  • City employee referral
  • City website
  • Governmentjobs.com
  • Job fair or networking event
  • Word of mouth
  • Other

18

Source: If you selected college, professional association, career fair, employee referral, or other, please provide more information here.
Required Question

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