Payroll Specialist

The City of Saint Paul is seeking a detail-oriented, experienced payroll professional to join our team as a Payroll Specialist. This is an opportunity to step into a key role ensuring the timely and accurate processing of payroll for the City. The successful candidate will independently manage payroll transactions, audit and reconcile data, maintain employee records, and use enterprise systems to complete the full payroll cycle. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong problem-solving, organizational, and multi-tasking skills who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Here's what you can expect to do in this position:
 

Process Biweekly Payroll: Accurately execute all stages of the payroll cycle, including timecard review, data entry, and payroll finalization using multiple timekeeping systems and ERP software.

Maintain and Audit Employee Records: Review and update employee master data related to hires, promotions, reallocations, terminations, and profile changes to ensure accurate payroll and timekeeping.

Manage Payroll Adjustments: Process various payroll changes such as retro pay, COLA, union contract updates, overtime, shift differentials, and workers’ compensation.

Generate and Reconcile Reports: Prepare, review, and reconcile payroll and timekeeping reports; support audits and provide data for financial planning and salary projections.

Collaborate Across Departments: Coordinate with HR, Benefits, Risk Management, and Labor Relations to ensure proper handling of compensation data, disability claims, FMLA, and military leave.

For more information and essential functions, see our Payroll Specialist job description.

Our Benefits: We offer competitive wages, and a variety of excellent benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time. 

Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals. At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us. We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job. 

Position Requirements:

Four years of responsible experience in the operation of a payroll or a related process to include a majority of the following: reconciliation, deductions, withholding, state and federal laws, and utilizing ERP software and Microsoft Office applications.
 
 Or
 
An Associate Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, office management, public administration or equivalent education. Must have two years of experience as specified above in addition to the degree.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
 

• Experience working with payroll processes in a union environment

How to Apply:

1. Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
2. Upload or submit the following document(s) via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
   1. A resume (optional)

First time applying online? Read ourHow to Apply Online Guide.

Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.

Learn more about our Hiring Process:

Assessment: Computer Assessment    

This computer-based assessment consists of multiple-choice questions including short answer, problem solving, and simulation questions developed to assess your payroll knowledge and related skills. Further information regarding the assessment will be emailed to eligible candidates through the email address included in your application. Candidates will receive this information the week of April 28, 2025.
 
If you have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, you may be eligible for accommodation in the assessment process. Please contact Michelle LeBow at michelle.lebow@ci.stpaul.mn.us to request a testing accommodation. 

GENERAL INFORMATION:
 

Open Job Posting: This posting is open to anyone who meets the position requirements. 

Eligible Lists Created from Open Job Posting: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position. Non-promotion eligible lists typically are pass/fail and promotion eligible lists are typically ranked. If the open eligible list created contains a veteran, one open list will exist. When there are no veterans remaining on the eligible list (i.e. hired, withdrawn) from an open list that also contains promotional candidates, two lists will be created: one open list and one promotion list. If two lists exist, the promotion list must be exhausted before the open list is considered. 

Final Selection Process: Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months and all will be notified of their status. A Hiring Manager will consider those applicants eligible for hire. You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method.  

Pre-Employment Screening: This position requires a background check which may include criminal history, and employment history as a condition of employment. Candidates will be required to submit proof of education to Human Resources upon conditional job offer, if qualifying based on education.

Human Resources Contact Information:  
Michelle LeBow at 651-266-6519
Email: michelle.lebow@stpaul.gov
 

The City of Saint Paul encourages individuals to apply for positions regardless of criminal history. 

Veteran’s Preference for Promotional Candidates: If you are a disabled veteran and would like to receive Veteran’s preference in accordance with MN Statutes 197.455 you must submit a photocopy of your confirmation from the Veterans Administration of a permanent service-connected disability rated at fifty percent (50%) or more preferably at time of application. Click here for more information.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.