Senior Payroll Systems Specialist

Senior Payroll Systems Specialist

Salary

$85,148.69 - $125,353.72 Annually

Location

Boston City Hall - 1 City Hall Sq

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00193

Department

Auditing Department

Opening Date

11/02/2026

Closing Date

11/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Overview

Responsible for setting up, administering, auditing, and monitoring citywide payroll systems. Modifies and maintains the payroll information systems and databases. Identifies and resolves payroll-related questions, issues, and concerns, with an emphasis on handling the more complex or system-related issues.

Supervises administrative staff. Participates in the planning and development of administrative procedures for central payroll, quality control activities, and a variety of special projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage the annual setup of the Department Budget table for all City of Boston positions. Resolve Department Budget table errors and create combination codes as necessary. Interact with City and BPS senior management. Ensure all errors are resolved, and all tasks are completed prior to the first payroll of the new fiscal year. Following the fiscal year transition, prepare Department Budget Table updates each pay cycle or as warranted.
• Under general supervision of a higher grade administrative employee, manages the time and labor/payroll processes for the City. Leads and participates in the payroll cycle process by coordinating pre-confirm activities and the post-payroll confirm process. Maintains and updates payroll configuration tables. Monitors and participates in high-volume transaction load processing. Oversees quality control, troubleshoots errors, and participates in problem resolution. Reviews activities to determine the feasibility of improvements to the time and labor/payroll functions to eliminate duplication of effort and improve the efficiency of operations. Plans and coordinates citywide employee development and in-service training for time and labor/payroll. Participates in the development of performance measures and goals. Assists in the annual audit. Participates in a variety of special projects.
• Review and resolve exceptions identified on payroll audit queries. Adjust and monitor payroll queries as appropriate. Review Absence Management Finalization output each week prior to processing payroll.
• Manage the calculation and verification of Settlements, Grievances, and Back Pay. Manage the creation and verification of the inactive paysheets to ensure timely and accurate processing. Work with Department Personnel to ensure the timeliness of all employee payroll payments. Review and approve online check requests.
• Perform related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• At least four (4+) years of full-time work experience where the major duties included processing payroll or similar transactions, including experience related to payroll information systems.
• Demonstrated experience in using Microsoft Office and Google Suite. Experience with HR/Payroll database software; PeopleSoft HR/Payroll/TL v.9.2 is a plus.

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge and experience with time and labor/payroll processes. Experience with PeopleSoft, Inc. applications preferred.
• Knowledge or experience with the City of Boston Auditing time and labor/payroll policies, procedures, forms, and operating procedures.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on details as required by the job.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: SENA/MM1-8

Hours per week: 35

The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.

At the City of Boston, we provide our employees with a wide array of benefits and resources that foster both their professional and personal development. Our goal is to make City government a place where everyone is empowered to make a positive impact for the communities in which we live, work, and play.

For full-time positions, employees may be eligible for the following benefits depending on the nature of their employment and applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the position. View the Collective Bargaining Agreements page to learn more.

Benefits Available to City Workers

• Retirement & Savings Opportunities: Membership in the Boston Retirement System (BRS), a benefit pension plan providing lifetime income to vested employees when they retire, along with deferred compensation options to help you build a secure future. Visit boston.gov/retirement to learn more.

• Health Insurance & Benefits: The City offers competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus flexible spending (FSA), dependent care accounts, and life insurance for our employees. Visit boston.gov/insurance to learn more.

• Other Benefits: City employees enjoy a benefits package featuring paid time off and leave, subsidized transit (MBTA and Bluebikes), educational assistance, and employee wellness programs. Visit boston.gov/life-city-boston to learn more.

• Salary information: To view salary plans and understand how salaries work at the City of Boston, go to boston.gov/salary.

Part-time employees who are scheduled to work for 20 hours or more per week may also be eligible for benefits on a pro-rated basis. Please refer to the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to learn more about any benefits available for this position.

If you have any questions about the benefits offered for this position, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 617-635-3370 or ohr@boston.gov.

01

If you currently do not reside in Boston, are you willing to relocate if selected for the position?

02

Do you have experience managing or supervising staff?

• Yes
• No

03

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

04

Which of the following describes your highest level of Microsoft Excel proficiency?

• I do not have enough skills to meet the definition of Basic level below.
• Basic
• Intermediate
• Advanced

Required Question

Employer City of Boston (MA)

Address 1 City Hall Plaza, Room 612

Boston, Massachusetts, 02201

Phone 617-635-3370

Website https://www.boston.gov