Payroll Specialist

The Position
The Port of Portland is hiring a
Payroll Specialist

We're looking for a highly organized and proactive
Payroll Specialist III
to contribute to the organization's success through demonstrating Port values while successfully achieving or exceeding performance goals and objectives.

From the hiring manager:
At the Port, we are on the lookout for a talented payroll specialist who thrives on hard work, being proactive, curious, and who has a passion for solving problems, while providing excellent customer service to all levels of the organization. This role involves managing the entire payroll process from start to finish, ensuring accuracy and timely payments. You'll be responsible for processing bi-weekly payroll for seven union groups and administrative staff, as well as handling weekly certified payroll for our navigation union group. If you have a keen eye for detail and a drive to maintain seamless payroll operations, this is the perfect opportunity for you to excel and make a significant impact. Join us in delivering precise and efficient payroll services

Schedule:
We offer a flexible hybrid schedule to support both work-life balance and team collaboration. You'll be in the office three days a week, working alongside colleagues to support our various lines of business, and then enjoy the flexibility of working from home two days a week. We believe in fostering strong connections while also providing the balance you need to thrive both professionally and personally

Essential Job Duties

• Accurately process weekly and bi-weekly payroll, which includes processing all liabilities (regular and quarterly taxes, PERS contributions, garnishments, union dues, charities, HSA/FSA, and deferred compensation) and balancing and reconciling tax information. Calculate and process miscellaneous checks (retro checks, incentive payments, final checks, etc.) as necessary.
• Set up new plans, accruals, and pay types/tax types in timekeeping and HR system and correct issues that arise when processing payroll; highlight opportunities to improve payroll-related processes; troubleshoot- through problems or issues as they arise to determine the cause and identify a range of possible solutions as well as recommend the preferred approach to resolution; troubleshoot and correct timekeeping issues independently, if possible, or relay issues concisely and accurately to IT and assist in achieving a resolution. Document new processes and maintain/update existing processes as needed.
• Balance and reconcile tax information each pay period and file quarterly and annual tax reports; balance, reconcile, and process W2's on an annual basis, including the determination of taxable/non-taxable health reporting requirements and relocation expenses, in addition to 457 Plan Deferred Compensation limits; assist with annual total compensation statements as necessary.
• Full position description available upon request.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Experience:

• A high school diploma or GED is required.

• Minimum five (5) years of dedicated payroll experience or the equivalent combination of education and/or relevant experience.

• An ideal candidate will have experience in a multi-group payroll environment, worked in an environment with unions, and have experience working with PERS

Demonstrated Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of: HRIS systems and time and attendance systems, including configuration of pay types, deductions, and accruals as well as the interrelation among them; reporting and querying; and troubleshooting issues; making W-2 corrections; PERS reporting requirements; tax reporting requirements, garnishments.
• Working knowledge of: Spreadsheet software; PERS/OPSRP rules; accounting concepts; applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes related to payroll.

Supplemental and Selection Information
Selection Process: (tentative schedule):

• A minimum qualification evaluation of the education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources in the week of October 20, 2025.
• A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.
• Our goal is to schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation on October 28. Panel Interviews will be held afterwards on November 12.

About Us
At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have – our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them – to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to unlock new opportunities and ensure more people share in our region's success. With YOUR help – together with our partners, customers, and community – we'll help drive meaningful change

Do you have questions about this job?
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Safety:
The Port promotes safety as a Core value and we seek to eliminate harm through a culture of active prevention, curiosity, evaluation, and action. We comply with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently look for improvements that support operational excellence.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination.

Veterans Preference:
Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veteran's preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Background Checks and Drug Testing:
The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.

ADA Accommodation:
Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call or email