Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

Salary

$71,198.40 - $88,712.00 Annually

Location

11155 Robinson Drive, Coon Rapids, MN

Job Type

Full time

Job Number

202600442

Department

Finance

Division

Accounting

Opening Date

09/21/2026

Closing Date

10/5/2026 12:00 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary of Position

If you're someone who loves keeping the details in order, solving problems, and making sure everything adds up, this could be the role for you! Under the general direction of the Assistant Finance Director, the Payroll Specialist plays a key role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining payroll records, preparing reports, and providing helpful customer service and analytical support across the organization.

Hiring Range: $34.23-$42.65/hour Position open until filled with first consideration given to applicants who apply before October 5, 2026

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The City of Coon Rapids is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. The City welcomes, and encourages all qualified applicant to apply regardless of race (including traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locks and twists), color, creed, religion, familial status, sex (including pregnancy or related conditions, gender identity/expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, marital status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors or any other basis protected by law.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Administers City payroll, including processing and auditing time sheets, paid time off requests and miscellaneous updates, working with supervisors and employees; establishes proper deduction amounts, accrual schedules for paid and unpaid leaves, PERA eligibility/ineligibility and enrollment, direct deposits, retro pay and other adjustments performing computer input and monitoring payroll proof.
• Responsible for timely deposit of payroll taxes and deductions, receive garnishments, wage levies, support orders, etc. and compute proper amounts.
• Prepares, receives, processes and checks accuracy and completeness of a wide variety of documents, records and reports requiring considerable knowledge of procedures and policies.
• Prepares a variety of annual, quarterly and monthly reports relating to FICA, PERA, insurance, retirement, tax withholding; Ensures compliance with State and Federal reporting standards.
• Processes annual PCORI and DPS reimbursement filings.
• Responsible for all PERA reports including auditing biweekly PERA payroll report, producing annual PERA exceptions report, sending notices and assisting employees and supervisors.
• Provides customer service, responds to payroll related questions and concerns, resolves and corrects issues, and provides information on payroll, and payroll related deductions.
• Appropriately handles confidential data with a high level of confidentiality and professionalism and responds to wage verifications or data requests related to payroll related data.
• Maintains employee payroll records in payroll/HR system and performs necessary system maintenance.
• Assist with annual workers compensation audit.
• Assist Human Resources in entering appropriate benefit and payroll deductions, open enrollment benefit processing and verification and updates the system and employee records.
• Reconciles payments for COBRA participants and retiree insurance. Notifies Human Resources of delinquent payments and enrollment discrepancies.
• Performs reconciliations for various deductions and employer expenses.
• Reconciles and processes payments for employee benefits participation ensuring appropriate payroll deductions, and vendor billings are correct.
• Provides back up to the Accounts Payable Clerk.
• Processes monthly State of MN sales tax remittance.
• Manages office supply inventory.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of changes to terms of collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and City policies which impact payroll; implements terms of CBAs. Assists Human Resources with researching payroll related CBA implementation issues.
• Performs other related functions as apparent or delegated.

Required Knowledge and Abilities

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

• Knowledge of government and generally accepted accounting principles, practices, procedures and financial reporting.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, laws and requirements for payroll processing.
• Proficiency in computer programs including Windows, word processing and spreadsheet applications, as well as experience with computerized accounting and payroll systems.
• Ability to maintain and handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately, and to perform duties with tact and discretion.
• Ability to perform job functions with high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks, and establish priorities to work effectively under pressure, completing work in a timely and accurate manner with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and provide positive customer service.
• Ability to be detail oriented and follow through with tasks.
• Must have the ability to accept constructive criticism or discipline in a positive manner, initiating self-development to improve job performance.
• Regular and reliable attendance during scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.
• Maintains positive professional working relationships with all staff levels, other jurisdictions and outside agencies, and the general public.
• Performs essential position duties and responsibilities under the working conductions and physical demands described herein.
• Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and citizen customers.

Qualifications and Other Information

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A combination of training and experience substantially equivalent to the following:

• Associates degree in finance, accounting, human resources or related field, plus
• Three (3) years of payroll processing experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in finance, accounting or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Accounting experience.
• Experience with public sector payroll administration.
• Experience complying with collective bargaining agreements in payroll processing.
• FPC or CPP designations or actively pursuing

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

EQUIPMENT/JOB LOCATION:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position is located at the City Center. It will use common office supplies and equipment, and the noise level is typically quiet. Exposure to computer monitors in the office is typical. This position works closely with others.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must contribute positively to a productive, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
• Must make workplace safety the top priority.
• Must know and practice the City's mission, vision and values.
• Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.

The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Coon Rapids is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

For additional City benefit information please click the link below.

Benefits Summary

01

Do you meet the minimum qualifications of the position? A combination of training and experience substantially equivalent to the following: Associates degree in finance, accounting, human resources or related field, plus Three (3) years of payroll processing experience.

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please elaborate on your experience.

03

Do you meet one or more of the preferred qualifications? Bachelors degree in finance, accounting or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience Accounting experience. Experience with public sector payroll administration. Experience complying with collective bargaining agreements in payroll processing. FPC or CPP designations or actively pursuing

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, tell us how you meet the preferred qualifications.

05

Do you have experience in the following areas? Processing payroll for a municipal or county government. Processing payroll for multiple collective bargaining agreements. Implementing payroll changes from changes to collective bargaining agreements. Processing payroll for public safety employees (e.g. police, fire).

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, tell us about your experience in those areas.

07

Are you eligible for veterans preference points? The City of Coon Rapids operates under a point preference system, which awards points to qualified veterans to supplement their application. Ten points are granted to non-disabled veterans on open competitive examinations; 15 points are awarded if the veteran has a service connected compensable disability as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). To qualify for preference for a competitive exam, you must have a passing score for the position and be a qualified veteran. Qualified veteran means a citizen of the United States or a resident alien separated from active duty under honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces: 1) after having served on active duty for 181 consecutive days; OR 2) by reason of disability incurred while serving on active duty; OR 3) who has met the minimum active duty required as defined by Code of Federal Regulations, Title 38, Section 3.12a; OR 4) who has active military service certified under section 401, Public Law 85-202. Active military service must be certified by the United States Secretary of Defense as active military service and a discharge under honorable conditions must be issued by the Secretary. Veterans preference may be used by the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran and by the spouse of a disabled veteran who, because of the disability, is unable to qualify. You are ineligible to receive points if are were divorced from the veteran or were widowed and have remarried. Claims must be made on this application and documentation submitted within seven days of the application deadline for the position for which you are applying. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility for veterans preference points. You are not required to supply this information, but we cannot award veterans preference points without it. You must submit a copy of the "Member Copy 4" of your DD214 or other military documents to substantiate the service information requested. Additional preference is awarded to qualified disabled veterans. Disabled veterans must also supply a letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Spouses applying for preference must supply the "Member Copy 4" of the veterans DD214 and the veterans letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or proof of death. Documentation must be within seven days of the application deadline. If your supporting documentation is not submitted within seven days of the application deadline, Veterans Preference Points will not be awarded.

• No, I am not requesting Veterans Preference Points
• Yes, Honorably Discharged Veteran (attach the "Member Copy 4" of the DD214 or other documentation verifying service to substantiate the services information requested to this application)
• Yes, Honorably Discharged Disabled Veteran (attach the "Member Copy 4" of the DD214 or other documentation verifying service to substantiate the services information requested AND letter from USDVA verifying active duty disability to this application)
• Spouse of Honorably Discharged Disabled Veteran (attach the "Member Copy 4" of the veterans DD214 or other documentation verifying service to substantiate the services information requested AND letter from USDVA verifying active duty disability to this application)
• Widow of Deceased Veteran (attach veterans "Member Copy 4" of the DD214 or other documentation verifying service to substantiate the services information requested AND proof of death to this application)
• Widow of Deceased Disabled Veteran Who Was Disabled at Time of Death (attach the "Member Copy 4" of the veterans DD214 (or other documentation verifying service to substantiate the services information requested, letter from USDVA verifying active duty disability, and proof of death to this application)

08

I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following supplemental questionnaire for this position. The information I provide will be reviewed and used to determine my eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, false statements, omissions or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. If the supplemental question is not applicable, please indicate N/A. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

09

By checking yes below, you indicate you have thoroughly completed the City application, which includes providing all previous employers and reasons for leaving all past jobs. Incomplete responses or a response that refers us to "See Resume" or "See Previous Response" may disqualify your application. If you havent thoroughly completed the application, you will need to go back and complete the information to be considered an applicant. Additionally, you acknowledge that you have completed all of the supplemental questions. Failure to provide complete responses to all of the supplemental questions may negatively impact further advancement in the hiring process. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Coon Rapids

Address 11155 Robinson Drive

Coon Rapids, Minnesota, 55433

Phone 763-767-6413

Website http://coonrapidsmn.gov/