Payroll Lead - Retirement

First Consideration: August 24, 2026

Salary Range - $87,340/yr - $107,365/yr

Hours per Day - 8.0

Days per Year - 260

*Office Hours - 7:30am - 4:30pm 

IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT
Under the general direction of the Payroll Manager, perform such duties as required to ensure proper processing of monthly payroll, retirement processing, benefit management and acts as back up to Payroll Manager. Assist Payroll Manager with processing garnishments, quarterly taxes and reports, and annual W-2s. Act as lead to the payroll specialist. Serve as primary contact on retirement and research all related issues. Serve as supervisor of the payroll area in the absence of the Payroll Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform all duties connected with processing employee pay to include calculating actual wage and applicable coding from information provided by the Human Resources.
• Input all online data entry into computer to include monthly pay, hourly timesheets, absences, budget account numbers, deductions, and miscellaneous changes for each employee.
• Act as the department lead in the daily management of retirement. Ensure proper documentation is received from new employees and information provided to staff is accurate and up-to-date.
• Assist District employees with salary, benefit, leave, and retirement inquiries.
• Process and maintain state retirement reports and records; provide accurate information and guidance on state retirement plans for all eligible employees. Report significant issues to the Payroll Manager.
• Prepare monthly billings to accompany warrants on voluntary and required deductions.
• Assist Payroll Manager with processing of monthly garnishments.
• Assist with preparation and submission of required quarterly reports and payroll taxes, including the annual W-2 audit and processing.
• Process employee leave related payroll estimates and calculations as required for accurate pay for employees on leave.
• Act as payroll lead overseeing assigned personnel in their daily functions and providing support as necessary. Serve as interim supervisor of the department in the absence of the Payroll Manager. Provide the Payroll Manager input on hiring decisions and performance appraisals of assigned staff.
• Model appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information consistent with district ethical guidelines. Foster and maintain strong productive relationships with staff, district employees, vendors, and other community members. Work with a variety of people in a positive manner.
• Continue professional study and activity.
• Provide backup support for new employee benefit orientations and benefit open enrollment. Assist with the set-up and facilitation of department sponsored retirement seminars and workshops.
• Analyze and evaluate data and monitor trends to facilitate departmental planning; identify, research, and recommend problem resolutions; prepare reports as directed. Provide a variety of written correspondence as necessary. Provide administrative support to the Payroll Manager.
• Maintain knowledge of required state and federal regulations relating to payroll, retirement, benefits, and leaves.

The essential functions listed above are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The position may perform a variety of non-essential functions consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience

• Associate of Arts Degree in accounting or business administration AND three (3) years of successful experience in a responsible accounting or payroll position.
• An additional two (2) years of experience in a lead or supervisory payroll or accounting position may substitute for the educational requirement.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, or experience will be reviewed for comparability.

Certification and Licenses

• None

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Advanced knowledge and skills with automated payroll systems, Microsoft Office applications, and internet and email programs.
• Proficient knowledge of general accounting, payroll, and auditing procedures.
• Proficient knowledge of employee benefits and retirement programs and processes.
• Ability to accurately and efficiently operate general office equipment such as PC and software programs, copy machine, fax machine, 10-key calculator, and telephone.
• Proficient knowledge of tax reporting requirements relating to payroll and retirement reporting and processing.
• Ability to accurately perform complex mathematical calculations.
• Ability to effectively conduct research and generate reports.
• Ability to work overtime during peak processing periods, especially September through December and at monthly payroll cutoff.
• Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive material and information.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and effectively manage multiple projects.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and provide training.
• Ability to work effectively and maintain positive attitude while under pressure.
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise and motivate staff.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication.

DESIRABLE QUALIFCATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• Experience in payroll and/or Washington State Department of Retirement processing in a K12 school district.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in a regular office environment. Ability to use fingers, hands and arms; speak, see, and hear clearly; concentrate while filtering out normal office noise; sit or stand for prolonged periods of time; and bend, twist, walk, squat, and reach requiring ordinary physical effort are all required. Heavy emphasis on keyboarding and data entry. Exposure to normal levels of office dust, VDT screens, and office machines and their required chemicals. Teamwork and high productivity requirements create frequent extra hour days and weekends. May be required to lift up to 30 pounds.

FLSA: Non-exempt
JOB CLASS:  Technical (980) AFFILIATION: Non-represented

WORK YEAR:  260 Days

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment with Clover Park School District is conditional pending completion of a Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint background check as required by RCW28A.400.303. 

INSURANCE BENEFITS

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, long term disability, and basic life insurance benefits. Clover Park School District benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees for information on available benefit options.

RETIREMENT AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Eligible employees are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement System Plan. For eligibility information, check on the link to the Department of Retirement Systems' website.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pretax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Click on the link https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/ for information on 457 plan (DCP) with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan, employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clover Park School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or marital status. The District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Address questions and complaints of alleged discrimination to the following individuals at Clover Park School District, 10903 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Lakewood, Washington 98499-1341: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator, Greg Davis, Executive Director of Compliance and Student Services, (253) 583-5154, gdavis@cloverpark.k12.wa.us; Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Jennifer Herbold, Executive Director of Special Education, (253) 583-5170, jherbold@cloverpark.k12.wa. Title IX inquiries may also be directed to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), https://bit.ly/US-OCR. Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint, is available at https://bit.ly/CPSDHIBPolicy; OSPI required language per RCW 28A.300.286 is available at https://bit.ly/OSPIModelLanguage.