Craigslist
Payroll Specialist (Bellingham)
Priority given to applications received by Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 9:00 pm PST.
Please attach a resume and cover letter to the application. The cover letter will be attached to the same location as the resume. Your cover letter should address why you are interested in this position and what makes you a good fit for this role.
In-person interviews are tentatively scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Please plan to be available.
COMPENSATION: 2025 Rates
The full budgeted pay range is $38.19 - $51.22 hourly ($79,440.00 - $106,536.00 annually). Exempt
JOB SUMMARY:
Administers all tasks necessary to process the organization’s payroll, associated vendor payments, and tax filings. Applies state and federal laws and union contract provisions related to payroll, salary and benefit plans, and maintains employee leave balances. Responds to employee inquiries and works in close cooperation with other agency stakeholders to carry out complex tasks, including Finance, Information Technology (IT), and timekeepers throughout the organization.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Process payroll in a timely and accurate manner. Ensure employee and payroll related third-party payments are accurate and paid by deadlines. Ensure all records are maintained in accordance with IRS, federal, and state regulations and guidelines.
Create and maintain codes related to earnings, taxes, deductions, benefits, leave accruals, and data interfaces. This includes complex multi-earning dependencies and prioritized deduction calculations. Research payroll inaccuracies to identify source and create or modify procedures and reporting to prevent future errors.
Enter new hire information and deductions in HRIS. Work closely with Benefits Specialist regarding employee benefit enrollment, changes, and cancellations to ensure accurate deductions and payments.
Respond to and process wage garnishments and other wage attachments. New hire reporting to DSHS and other governmental reporting as assigned.
Administers payroll recordkeeping and archiving in accordance with retention requirements.
Partner with IT and other stakeholders to design, test, and implement changes to HRIS and attendance systems due to system upgrades and changes in regulations, policies, or the collective bargaining agreement. Evaluate impact of payroll updates on other modules and processes. Assist negotiating team in costing or testing proposal options.
Create, document, and maintain payroll policies and procedures.
Design, write, and ensure accuracy of payroll and management reports using report writing software available. Analyze payroll data.
Train users on various time entry techniques and other processes needed in the HRIS system to complete payroll processing. Create user documentation.
Reconcile payroll to the general ledger, including all payroll expense, liability, and accrual accounts, in accordance with audit standards.
Process quarterly and year end reporting as needed for Federal and State agencies including, but not limited to, accurate W2 submission.
Prepare responses to employee inquiries and public disclosure requests.
Assist Accounting Manager with information regarding labor for National Transit Database reporting.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Assists in the organization of WTA-sponsored events, activities and functions.
Performs special projects as assigned by the HRIS/Payroll & Benefits Manager that may include extensive research and report writing.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, each essential function must be performed satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, experience, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Knowledge of:
Accounting, Payroll and taxation theory and processes.
Computerized payroll, human resources, and accounting systems. Knowledge of complex relationships between time & attendance, earnings, deductions, benefits, HR data, and leave accrual/banks.
Complex transportation union environment, including extra boards, hourly guarantees, and complex leave rules including cascading leave banks. Familiar with various overtime schemes, premiums, and differentials.
Current federal, state, and local regulations including taxation, insurance, FLSA, FMLA, PFML, tax deferred compensation, PERS, ESD, garnishment laws, deduction priorities, payment regulations, and other payroll related laws.
· Internal control procedures and systems.
· Electronic data creation and transmission.
Ability to:
Manage time and workload independently with minimal supervision to meet demanding deadlines.
Read, interpret, understand, and utilize rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Analyze and resolve complex inter-related data errors. Describe, diagram, program, test, debug, and document complex rules.
Ensure timely and accurate payment of employees and payroll related third parties.
Use spreadsheets, word processing, and database management software.
Maintain strict confidentiality.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with employees at all levels of the organization, vendors, and other agencies. Explain technical information to non-technical users or audiences. Demonstrate strong internal customer service skills.
Tolerate ambiguity and maintain composure under stressful situations.
WORKING CONDITIONS, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Duties are performed primarily in an office environment including regular interaction with employees. Typical office equipment used to accomplish job tasks include computer, printer, fax machine, photocopier, calculator, and telephone. This position may require travel to terminals, meetings, and various seminars.
Education and Experience:
Required:
Associate’s degree in accounting, bookkeeping, business or related field. Information systems or software classes preferred.
Minimum of three (3) years’ experience processing a complex payroll.
Intermediate Microsoft Excel, Word and database skills.
A combination of education and experience, which provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job may be considered.
Preferred:
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
Experience working in a government and/or union environment.
Experience administering complex overtime, premium pay and shift differentials.
Familiarity with Human Resources principles.
Licenses and Certificates:
Valid Washington State driver's license at time of hire in order to operate WTA vehicles.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Regularly sit, talk, and use hands.
Frequently stand and walk.
Occasionally reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and lift or move up to 30 pounds.
Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Participation in the WTA’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program is a requirement of employment which includes reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. A background check will be conducted to include criminal records and driver’s record. Additionally, due to the nature of this position, a credit history check will be performed
Applications must be received by Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 9:00pm PST
Apply at: https://ridewta.exacthire.com/job/186337
QHW4+X3 Bellingham, WA, USA
$79,440-106,536/year
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