Payroll and Food Service Specialist

Department: Business Office
Position: Full-Time, 12-Month
Work Schedule: 8 Hours Per Day

Position Overview

The Payroll & Food Service Specialist is responsible for accurate and timely District payroll processing and provides administrative and financial oversight of the District's contracted food service program. The position requires a high level of accuracy, confidentiality, organization, and customer service while ensuring compliance with District policies, Pennsylvania and federal requirements, and contractual obligations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Process, verify, and reconcile all District payrolls, including timekeeping, deductions, benefits, taxes, retirement, supplemental pay, and year-end reporting.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee payroll records and respond to payroll-related employee inquiries.
• Prepare required federal, state, local, retirement, and wage reports and assist with payroll audits and reconciliations.
• Serve as the District's primary administrative liaison with the contracted food service provider.
• Monitor food service contract compliance, financial activity, invoices, meal counts, student meal accounts, purchasing, and program reporting.
• Support federal and state school nutrition program requirements, including required applications, claims, documentation, and administrative reviews.
• Assist families and staff with meal account questions and coordinate resolution of food service concerns.
• Prepare reports and maintain accurate records for District administration, the Board, auditors, and government agencies.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee, student, financial, and operational information.
• Perform other duties as assigned by District administration.

Required Qualifications & Essential Competencies

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree in accounting, business, finance, or a related field preferred.
• Prior payroll, accounting, bookkeeping, or school business office experience required; school district payroll experience strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of payroll processing, taxes, deductions, retirement reporting, and internal controls.
• Experience with food service operations, contract administration, or governmental reporting preferred.
• Proficiency with payroll, financial, spreadsheet, and database systems.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to reconcile records, identify discrepancies, meet firm deadlines, and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with employees, administrators, contractors, vendors, auditors, families, and government agencies.
• Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Required clearances and credentials in accordance with applicable Pennsylvania and federal requirements.