Payroll and Benefits Analyst

JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Payroll & Benefits Analyst is responsible for administering, analyzing, and improving the District's payroll and employee benefits functions while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, collective bargaining agreements, Board policies, and internal controls. This position serves as the District's subject matter expert for payroll processing, employee benefits administration, payroll reporting, retirement reporting, and payroll-related system improvements.

The Payroll & Benefits Analyst plays a critical role in modernizing payroll and benefits processes, supporting data-driven decision making, and ensuring employees receive accurate and timely compensation and benefits services.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Payroll Administration

• Manage and oversee all payroll processing activities for certificated, classified, administrative, substitute, and temporary employees.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing in accordance with District schedules.
• Review payroll transactions for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Monitor payroll calculations including:
  • Regular earnings
  • Overtime
  • Extra duty pay
  • Stipends
  • Leave balances
  • Garnishments
  • Tax withholdings
  • Retirement contributions
• Reconcile payroll registers and supporting reports.
• Coordinate year-end payroll activities including W-2 preparation and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state payroll tax requirements.

Retirement and Compliance Reporting

• Prepare and submit required retirement reports.
• Serve as District liaison for retirement agencies and benefit providers.
• Monitor compliance with:
  • IRS regulations
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
  • Affordable Care Act (ACA)
  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS)
  • Nevada Administrative Code (NAC)
  • Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
• Assist with audits related to payroll, benefits, retirement, and tax reporting.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Develop payroll and benefits analytics to support District decision-making.
• Prepare reports related to:
  • Staffing costs
  • Overtime usage
  • Vacancy savings
  • Benefits utilization
  • Payroll trends
  • Salary schedule analysis
• Reconcile payroll expenditures to the general ledger.
• Assist with budget development and labor cost forecasting.
• Support financial reporting requirements.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Serve as payroll functional lead for the District's ERP system.
• Identify opportunities to automate payroll and benefits processes.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures and documentation.
• Assist with implementation of electronic workflow solutions.
• Recommend internal control improvements.
• Participate in software upgrades, testing, and process redesign initiatives.

Customer Service

• Provide exceptional customer service to employees, supervisors, and administrators.
• Respond to payroll and benefits inquiries in a timely manner.
• Conduct employee training related to payroll and benefits processes.
• Communicate complex payroll and benefits information in an understandable manner.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS IN PAYROLL

Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORK CONTACTS

Frequent contact with district office staff, department and site personnel, public agencies, vendors, and the general public.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of

• Payroll principles and practices
• Employee benefits administration
• Payroll tax laws and regulations
• Accounting and financial reporting principles
• Internal controls and audit practices
• Public sector payroll requirements
• Nevada PERS reporting requirements
• ERP systems and payroll software

Skill in

• Financial analysis
• Data reconciliation
• Spreadsheet development
• Report preparation
• Problem-solving
• Process improvement
• Customer service

Ability to

• Interpret laws, regulations, contracts, and policies.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Analyze complex payroll and benefits data.
• Meet strict deadlines.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Build collaborative relationships across departments.
• Adapt to changing priorities and technology.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports directly to Chief Financial Officer who will at least annually evaluate the Payroll Technician's performance.  Work is generally performed independently in accordance with established procedures seeking guidance or clarification from supervisor when needed.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, Public Administration, or a closely related field.

OR

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, Public Administration, or a closely related field and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in payroll administration, employee benefits administration, accounting, finance, or a closely related field.

OR

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in payroll administration, employee benefits administration, accounting, finance, or a closely related field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)
• Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
• Experience with governmental or K�12 school district payroll and benefits administration
• Experience with Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) reporting
• Experience with enterprise financial and payroll systems, preferably Tyler Technologies School ERP or comparable software

Position Profile for DCSD Modernization

This position is designed to support Douglas County School District's transition toward:

• Monthly financial closing processes
• Paperless payroll workflows
• Electronic timekeeping
• Improved internal controls
• Enhanced payroll analytics and reporting
• ERP optimization
• Data-driven workforce planning
• Improved employee customer service

This role would become one of the key technical positions in a lean Business Services structure reporting directly to the CFO and serving as the District's payroll and benefits subject matter expert.

CONDITIONS OF WORK

Work is performed under the following conditions: 

• Exposure to climate-controlled office settings to outside weather with temperatures ranging from mild/moderate to extreme cold/heat. May involve exposure to noise levels ranging from moderate to very loud and occasional to frequent time periods. May involve work in crowded environments.
• Hazards:  Office/Classroom furniture, playground/office equipment, communicable diseases, chemicals (as related to specific assignment), and power/hand operated equipment and machinery (as related to specific assignment).

SAFETY SENSITIVE: 

NO

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL/INTELLECTUAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical and mental/intellectual requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Those requirements include:

• Strength, dexterity, and coordination to use keyboard and video display terminal for prolonged periods.  Sedentary to heavy exertion of force involving 10-25 pounds frequently with up to 50 pounds occasionally.  May involve negligible up to significant stand/walk/push/pull/carry. May involve climbing, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, carrying, and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, and repetitive fine motor activities. Mobility to work in a typical classroom setting and use standard classroom equipment.  The ability to interact professionally, communicates effectively, and exchange information accurately with all internal and external members of the school community.  
• In compliance with applicable disability laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with a disability who require and request such accommodations.  Applicants and incumbents are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. 

EMPLOYEE PUNCTUALITY AND APPEARANCE

In order for DCSD schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.  Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee's supervisor or building administrator. All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of DCSD and is appropriate for their position.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Douglas County School District does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, creed/religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, age, veterans or military status, or political affiliation in admission to or access to, treatment or employment, or participation in its programs and activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups, pursuant to federal and state laws including, but not limited to, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), and the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act.  The Douglas County School District is an equal opportunity employer and will not knowingly discriminate in any area of employment, which includes recruiting and hiring practices, working conditions, training, promotion, and terms and conditions of employment.  Individuals with a disability who require reasonable accommodation(s) during any step of the screening process or who have questions about qualifications should notify a representative in Human Resources.  Notification may be made in person, in writing, or by calling (775) 782-7177.

The Superintendent of Douglas County School District has designated the following position to handle inquiries regarding student and employee non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of Human Resources

1638 Mono Avenue

Minden, Nevada 89423

Phone:  (775) 782-7177