Payroll Clerk

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) located at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT is recruiting for Payroll Clerks to work in our Payroll Unit within the Financial Services Division. The hours are 40 hours per week, Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

DSS delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency.  DSS serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns.  We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities.  Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, and online and phone access options.

We are looking for 2 Payroll Clerks to join the team and provide a full range of self-service payroll processing, benefits and support services for multiple offices and programs. We are seeking candidates who has strong payroll and accounting experience and who is able to independently guide employees in resolving payroll issues.

Follow us on twitter@ctdss and see what we are all about! We are seeking outgoing applicants to join our dynamic and talented Payroll Unit. 

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current state employee, who has permanent state status and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

If selected to interview, please provide the following at the time of interview:

• Last 2 performance appraisals.
• Last 2 years of attendance reports.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Meiko Chandler at Meiko.Chandler@ct.gov.

In a state agency this class is accountable for preparing and maintaining biweekly regular, overtime and supplemental payrolls for an assigned group of employees and performing various payroll support activities.

Prepares biweekly regular, overtime, and supplemental payrolls: reviews employee time cards and/or timesheets for accuracy and completeness and posts hours worked to master payroll cards; reviews personnel and/or payroll change notices and posts changes and/or adjustments to master files, e.g. new hires, transfers, reclassifications, terminations, retirements, overpayments and/or underpayments, wage increases, deduction changes (health insurance, union dues and/or fees, credit union payments, charitable contributions, bond or sheltered tax annuity payments, group life insurance payments, etc.); calculates gross wages; notes deductions on worksheets and deduction summary sheets; prepares and balances prelists for Central Payroll (Office of State Comptroller), noting both salary and deduction data OR codes standard payroll action forms in conjunction with computerized payroll system; prepares and totals various deduction worksheets, e.g. Credit Union, Medical and/or Insurance Providers, etc.; prepares and submits summary sheets and transmittal certificates OR detailed analysis of expenditure reports and expenditure certificates to Central Payroll; verifies check register and printouts from Central Payroll against worksheets and records; performs various clerical accounting functions such as calculating balances and posting charges to expenditure accounts; prepares supplemental payrolls such as longevity payments, vacation pay, promotional adjustments, etc.; calculates and processes retroactive payments, collective bargaining increases and annual increments; performs various clerical accounting functions such as calculating balances and posting charges to expenditure accounts; verifies provider checks issued by Office of State Comptroller against own records; verifies providers' bills in same manner; keeps abreast of collective bargaining contract requirements and restrictions as related to payroll (dates for salary increases; overtime, shift differential and holiday pay restrictions, etc.); responds to employee inquiries regarding paychecks and payroll practices and procedures; maintains various records and files for payroll data and forms; may calculate workers compensation and/or retirement payments; may calculate and monitor payroll deductions for court ordered wage executions (garnishments); may consult division or facility supervisors regarding employee time recorded; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of payroll terminology, practices and procedures; knowledge of basic accounting and bookkeeping principles and procedures; knowledge of general office procedures; skill in performing arithmetic computations; basic interpersonal skills; ability to read, understand and apply applicable contract guidelines and regulations; ability to maintain records and files; ability to follow complex oral and written instructions; ability to operate office equipment which includes personal computer and other electronic equipment.

Three (3) years of experience in bookkeeping, accounts payable or clerical work involving finances.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have involved payroll preparation.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.
2. One (1) year as a Financial Clerk performing payroll duties may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

Knowledge of payroll terminology, practices and procedures; knowledge of basic accounting and bookkeeping principles and procedures; knowledge of general office procedures; skills in performing arithmetic computations; basic interpersonal skills; ability to read, understand and apply applicable contract guidelines and regulations; ability to maintain records and files; ability to follow complex oral and written instructions; ability operate office equipment which includes personal computer and other electronic equipment. Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to exercise sound judgment based upon policies, procedures, practices, union contracts, State statutes, risk factors in implementing effective solutions quickly and efficiently. Must have ability to use internet and web based resources including Microsoft Office skills; Outlook, Word, Excel and CORE. Must have experience in processing and creating workforce reports and queries and analyzing/interpreting relevant data, with the utilization of Core-CT Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) and/or State Analytical Reporting System (STARS). Experience in employee benefit services. Preference will be given to candidates who are proficient in using PeopleSoft (Core-CT).

Persons having responsibility for supervising or observing the behavior of inmates or custodial individuals will be required to possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification by the time of permanent appointment.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.