Lake County, IL – Payroll Specialist

• Accurately and timely calculates and process multistate biweekly payrolls for hourly and salaried employees which includes entering, reviewing and importing hours, in accordance with all Federal, State and Local laws.
• Manages assigned employee groups to ensure accurate processing of all timekeeping, payroll, and benefit related data.
• Provide excellent customer service to employees and managers with respect to education, training and ongoing support of payroll and timekeeping needs.
• Manage payroll data entry of new hires, terminations and status changes and coordinate all the processing of these transitions with her/his Service Team.
• Responsible for accurately and timely performing various record keeping and payroll processing activities. This includes computing wage and overtime payments, calculating and recording payroll deductions, entering and remitting garnishments, calculating and processing retroactive payments, processing terminations, processing jury pay, calculating and processing military differential pay.
• Accurately and timely processes manual checks and on demand payrolls (election workers, union retro-pay, state judges pay) as needed directed by Supervisor or Director of Human Resources.
• Meet with military employees to provide a positive experience while ensuring they understand the processes and procedures prior to their leave of absence.
• Accurately and timely reconciles , prepares and files quarterly multi-state payroll tax returns in a timely manner.
• Accurately and timely reconciles, prepares and files annual W-2’s.
• Maintains employee records and ensures he/she makes changes to employee records accurately and timely.
• Document and respond to employee inquiries regarding paycheck calculations, direct deposit issues, tax questions, garnishments, military and jury pay questions in a timely manner.
• Establish and maintain a positive and collaborative working relationship with her/his Service Team, the Human Resources Management Team Finance, Treasurer’s Department and other internal teams regarding payroll inquiries and audit requests.
• Delivers high-quality customer service while researching, resolving, and responding to customer questions and issues.
• Seeks out and recommends solutions to potential problems and works on special projects related to process improvements and enhancements.
• Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time or notifies appropriate party with an alternative plan.

• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to Payroll. 
• Good knowledge of payroll principles and record keeping functions.      
• Knowledge of and the ability to apply research methods and data analysis techniques.
• Direct experience in the preparation of quarterly/annual payroll tax returns (including Forms 941, W-2 and W-3).
• Skilled in problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Precise attention to detail and exceptional organizational and administrative skills.
• Follows policies and procedures and supports organization’s goals and values.  
• Team oriented and committed to maintaining a positive work environment.
• Demonstrates respect and consideration regardless of others status, or position. Accepts responsibility for own actions. 
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines within a time sensitive environment.
• Ability to work well independently and take initiative.
• Ability to exercise discretion and confidentially handle information, records and issues.
• Ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively both verbally and in writing; ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, correspondence and documents.
• Ability to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives. Gives and welcomes feedback.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and employees.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, organization, staff, representatives of other governmental agencies, the public and others encountered in the course of work.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse groups of people, including constituencies which may have been underrepresented,
• Ability to facilitate inclusive participation in programs and activities and communicate cross-culturally.

Posted: 2025-01-14