Payroll Specialist

Salary

$ $41.20 Hourly

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)

Job Number

2025JL25865

Department

KCSO - Sheriff's Office

Opening Date

11/12/2025

Closing Date

11/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

H9 : PSEU-Non-Comm's KCSO

Full- or Part-Time

Full Time

Hours/Week

40 hours/week

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary
WHO MAY APPLY
: This position is open to the public and King County employees. If it is filled internally, it will be as a special duty assignment.

DURATION
: This assignment is benefit-eligible and is expected to last for 12 months.

Summary
This Special Duty/Term-Limited Temporary Payroll Specialist position at the
King County Sheriff's Office
(KCSO) is an opportunity to join a team responsible for processing a complex payroll for 1,100 employees in KCSO The payroll processes performed are some of the most complicated in the county and contain many variables based on the language of multiple labor contracts, Sheriff's Office policies, procedures and past practices. The successful candidate welcomes new challenges and is able to analyze, investigate and problem solve. The position will work directly with all levels of management and provide high-level customer service to commissioned and non-commissioned roles.

This position will also support the Payroll Team on a various time-sensitive projects. This term-limited temporary position is eligible for benefits, and is expected to last approximately 12 months.

WORK SCHEDULE:
This is full-time, and overtime eligible with prior supervisor approval. Typical work schedule is 40-hours per week, Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, but may vary by assignment. Additional hours may be necessary to respond to workload needs, which may include evenings and weekends.

WORK LOCATION:
King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle; located at: rd AVE, Seattle, WA main headquarters). This assignment primarily telecommutes, but that may be subject to change in the future.

Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of teleworking complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reportingrequirements.

Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Job Duties
The responsibilities and functions of this assignment includes -

• Process payroll and/or timekeeping transactions using various software programs including PeopleSoft modules.
• Process overtime, attendance, holiday pay, action pay, step increases, leave donations and all other routine maintenance functions.
• Prioritize and monitor workload to ensure deadlines are met.
• Review overtime slips for coding and compliance, validation reports for overtime accuracy and attendance reports for accuracy.
• Review, calculate and process specialty pay(s) including; lead, out of class, standby, and contract related premiums. Periodically, audit special records to ensure labor contracts and MOUs are met.
• Respond to inquiries from agency representatives and employees on the status of services, contracts, grants, fee receipts, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.
• Verify employee attendance in order to accurately calculate employee pay variances in accordance to the corresponding collective bargaining agreement.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, forms, and statistical data such as charts, tables and graphs.
• Interpret established payroll rules and procedures for labor contracts in addition to County and State rules and regulations to internal and external customers. Respond to third party inquiries regarding employee payroll data.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Promote atmosphere of teamwork.
• Perform special assignments as needed.
• Organize, oversee, and maintain payroll files.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualified candidates will have a
minimum of two years
demonstrated experience performing financial/payroll processes with knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Interpreting and analyzing policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of payroll production, processes and procedures
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws and regulations to include Fair Labor Standards Act, Family Medical Leave and Workers' Compensation
• Knowledge of King County human resources policies and procedures
• Knowledge of record keeping and monitoring procedures
• Skill in comparing records and data for accuracy; and researching/reconciling errors and discrepancies
• Advanced problem-solving skills;
• Ability to respond to unanticipated requests and work in a high-pressured environment with strict deadlines while remaining calm and professional;
• Strong ability to organize and multi-task, working with various forms of data;
• Work cohesively with a team to meet objectives as well as work independently with minimal supervision;
• Proven experience validating and reconciling reports;
• Basic skills in Microsoft Office Excel, proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills (with diverse audiences) orally, written and in person and the ability to be diplomatic and sensitive while effectively communicating information;
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, union contracts, regulations and laws
• Ability to research and compile information
• Skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Reliable and predictable attendance
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience working with large payroll systems such as PeopleSoft, Enterprise, etc.
• Experience processing payroll for 200 or more employees.
• Experience working with multiple union contracts and applying terms within a payroll system.
• Experience in creating Excel spreadsheets for data analysis including data filter, subtotals and pivot tables.
• Knowledge of payroll compliance laws.

Special Requirements
Must pass thorough background investigation, including a polygraph

TO APPLY:
Please carefully review the list of required materials before submitting your application.

• Review the list of KCSO Automatic Disqualifiers and verify your qualification for employment with King County Sheriff's Office.
• King County Application
• Complete answers to all the supplemental questions.

Contact Information
Jessica Lussier, Human Resources Analyst - Senior

UNION MEMBERSHIP:
This position is represented by PSEU: Public Safety Employees Union.

Supplemental Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference?
Come join the team
dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Benefits
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE:
Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01

You must be a current US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident or DACA recipient to qualify for civil service positions with the King County Sheriff's Office. Are you now a United States citizen, Legal Permanent Resident or DACA recipient?

• Yes
• No

02

Can you read, write and speak the English language?

• Yes
• No

03

The King County Sheriff's Office maintains a list of automatic disqualifiers for employment. This list can be accessed by clicking on this link
Automatic Disqualifiers
. Please review the disqualifiers and respond to the following question before proceeding.
Do you certify that based on your review of the automatic disqualifiers that you are qualified for employment with the King County Sheriff's Office?
Note - This information will be verified prior to scheduling an oral board interview.

• Yes
• No

04

The background of all King County Sheriff's Office employees and applicants are thoroughly checked.
The required
background investigation
will review and evaluate driving records, criminal records, criminal behavior, employment histories, military records, personal and employment references, and related information. Candidates who pass the initial background investigation will be required to complete a polygraph.
Are you willing to undergo a background investigation and polygraph examination as part of the employment process?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years' experience do you have performing financial/payroll processes?

• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• 4-5 years
• None but quick learner

06

What experience do you have with the following? Please check all that apply.

• Experience processing payroll for 200 or more employees
• Knowledge of payroll compliance laws including FLSA and FMLA
• Experience working with union contracts
• Experience working with large payroll systems such as PeopleSoft and Enterprise

07

Please describe your experience and/or skills working with payroll processes.

Required Question

Employer King County

Address King Street Center

201 South Jackson Street

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Phone

Website