Payroll & Benefits Clerk

POSITION TITLE:    Payroll & Benefits Clerk
DEPARTMENT:    Employee Services Team
LOCATION:    Longview, WA
REPORTS TO:    Payroll Manager
STATUS:        Hourly, fulltime
WAGE RANGE:    $24.70 - 28.40 per hour

Closing Date: June 9, 2026

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Compiles and performs data entry, maintains accurate and timely payroll data, recordkeeping and communication with employees. Assists with payroll preparation, year-end processes and employment/income/insurance verification requests.

Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and of the Employee Services and Accounting departments.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Receives, verifies, and enters employee changes into database; sets up and maintains payroll personnel files.
• Scan documents for digital record keeping.
• Ensures accuracy of payroll by reviewing data and communicating with departments and programs to address and correct errors and discrepancies.
• Assists with responding to requests from employees regarding payroll questions or concerns.
• May assist with updating master payroll records by recording changes affecting net wages including, but not limited to, deductions and insurance coverage; enters new employees into the system.
• Assists with processing cash disbursement entries in accounting.
• Digitize and organize older paper employee records and payroll documents.
• Backup for preparing, submitting, or releasing electronic direct deposit information.
• Maintains accurate payroll records, files backup documentation of payroll records, and maintains copies of employee benefit forms and personnel action forms.
• Assists with preparing 401k CSV files.
• Assists with invoice reconciliation to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Prepares and mails payroll related documents as needed.
• Assists with compiling data and documents for audits.
• Reviews vacation buy back requests and verifies eligibility and leave balances.
• Assists with gathering and inputting data on spreadsheets for HHS MAC study.
• Assists in reviewing and posting payroll related entries in accounting, included but not limited to, cash disbursements, payroll garnishments, liability payments and re-issued paychecks.
• Maintains and organizes payroll drive folders.
• Gathers and provides copies of time sheets with FWL hours for tracking to the Employee Leave and Accessibility Coordinator as needed.
• Attends and participates in required meetings.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional forms of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of basic accounting, math, and record keeping practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations that apply to fiscal operations.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet and database software programs.
• Skill in operating accounting and payroll programs such as MIP, Microix and Paycom.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying cultural and social backgrounds.
• Ability to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures.
• Ability to analyze financial information and draw logical conclusions.
• Ability to read, comprehend, explain and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to take accurate and detailed notes

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Associate’s degree preferred.
• Three years of payroll processing or office experience.
• A combination of relevant education and related work experience may be considered.
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands or arms, and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Travel may be required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.