Payroll Technician

Salary:
With HS Diploma $21.00
With Associate’s $23.00

FLSA Status:  This is a non-exempt position.

Work Schedule:  Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
This position works 260 days per year, 8 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work assignments
and projects.

Department: Early Learning

Location: Avondale Head Start, 2302 Ocoee Street

SUMMARY:
Chattanooga Head Start is a grant-funded program, and is subject to reapplication every 5 years.
The Payroll Technician supports the Manager of Financial Operations in executing a full range of payroll
functions and contributes to the accuracy of financial reporting for the federally funded Head Start
program. Responsibilities include processing payroll data, coordinating with Compliance and Operations
to reconcile employee and leave records, and preparing financial reports. This role ensures payroll
operations are aligned with grant requirements and internal fiscal policy while serving as a liaison with
the City payroll department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all
employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and
responsibilities. 
The following is a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Additional duties
may be required.

• Processes bi-weekly payroll in coordination with the City’s payroll department, ensuring
  accurate entry of timecards, leave balances, pay adjustments, and deductions.
• Enters and maintains payroll data in Oracle, including assignment changes, compensation
  updates, garnishments, and court-ordered deductions.
• Enters a variety of fiscally related information into applicable databases; verifies the accuracy of
  information.
• Coordinates with Compliance & Operations to verify personnel actions (e.g., FMLA, PTO, leave
  status) and reconcile discrepancies.
• Maintains and tracks hours for equalized pay employees and prepares necessary adjustments.
• Review payroll journals, deduction registers, and reconciliation reports to ensure accuracy.
• Prepares and posts journal entries, supports payroll allocations, and assists with reconciliation of
  payroll accounts in collaboration with fiscal staff.
• Tracks and processes employee-related expenses, and purchasing card transactions.
• Prepares supporting documentation for internal and external audits; ensures proper filing and
  record retention in compliance with federal and city policies.
• Supports special fiscal projects as assigned by the Manager of Financial Operations.
• Manage inventory for Chattanooga Head Start.
• Develops documentation and procedures to support training and consistency in payroll
  practices.
• Serves as a point of contact for payroll-related questions from staff and departments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or G.E.D. is required.
• Associates degree in Accounting, Business Administration or similar, and 2 years related
  accounting (fiscal) and/or payroll experience.
• Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions of
  the position will be considered.
  LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: None.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of budgeting principles and processes.
• Knowledge of payroll policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of accounts payable/receivable procedures and practices.

Skills in:

• Ability to perform simple accounting procedures.
• Basic data entry and/or word processing skills.
• Ability to read, sort, check, count, and verify numbers.
• Ability to prepare routine administrative paperwork.
• Account balancing skills.
• Ability to use an automated accounting system.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require: walking, standing, reaching, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking,
hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force
frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
This position is classified as Medium Work in accordance with Head Start Program Performance
Standards, which require all staff—regardless of job function—to support the health and safety of
children. This may include the direct supervisi