Payroll Specialist

Not Just a Job. A Career that Matters

Whalls Group is working with a nonprofit client – the first of its kind - that is building a safer, more professional correctional system. Their team plays a critical role in keeping facilities safe, organized, and running the right way.

They invest in their people with strong training, clear expectations, and real opportunities to grow. Employees are treated as professionals and supported in building long-term careers.

The culture is built on respect, teamwork, and shared responsibility. The goal is simple: safer facilities, stronger staff, and better outcomes for individuals and communities.

Payroll Specialist – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Location: Hagerstown, MD
Employment Type: Full Time

Position Summary

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing employee payroll and maintaining accurate payroll records for facility staff. This position ensures that employee compensation, overtime, and payroll related documentation are processed accurately and in compliance with organizational policies and applicable laws.

The Payroll Specialist works closely with the Human Resources Manager, facility leadership, and corporate payroll staff to ensure payroll accuracy and timely compensation for employees supporting facility operations.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing

• Process employee payroll in accordance with established payroll schedules and procedures
• Review employee time records for accuracy including regular hours, overtime, and leave usage
• Ensure payroll information is entered accurately into payroll systems
• Coordinate with supervisors to resolve discrepancies in timekeeping records

  Payroll Compliance

  • Ensure payroll practices comply with federal, state, and organizational requirements
  • Maintain payroll documentation and records in accordance with applicable regulations
  • Assist with payroll audits and documentation requests when required
  • Maintain confidentiality of payroll and employee information

    Timekeeping and Attendance Tracking

• Monitor employee timekeeping records and attendance reporting
• Assist supervisors and staff with timekeeping procedures and system use
• Identify potential issues related to time reporting and escalate when necessary
• Maintain records of employee leave, overtime, and payroll adjustments

Coordination with Human Resources

• Work closely with the Human Resources Manager to ensure employee payroll records are accurate
• Assist with processing payroll changes related to new hires, promotions, or separations
• Support HR functions related to compensation and workforce reporting
• Assist with payroll related employee inquiries

Administrative Payroll Functions

• Maintain payroll files and documentation in accordance with facility policy
• Prepare payroll related reports for facility leadership and corporate offices
• Support workforce reporting and payroll data tracking
• Assist with administrative tasks related to payroll processing

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or related field
• Minimum 2 years of payroll, accounting, or administrative experience
• Knowledge of payroll processing procedures and payroll systems
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

Preferred/ Substitution

• Experience processing payroll in corrections, healthcare, government, or other institutional environments preferred
• Experience working with workforce timekeeping systems preferred
• Payroll certification such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred
• Education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout housing units and facility areas
• Ability to work at a computer workstation for extended periods

Equal Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Consistent with federal Equal Employment Opportunity policies, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are prohibited in all employment practices including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, training, and termination. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities and to employees with sincerely held religious beliefs as required by law.

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