Senior Payroll and Personnel Clerk (1222)-Citywide Exam - (X00112)

Company Description

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.

1222 Senior Payroll and Personnel Clerk
THIS IS A CITYWIDE EXAM
Please note:  This examination announcement has been amended on 3/3/26 to update the verification and selection procedures sections.  

This is a Citywide Exam which means that multiple departments across the City and County of San Francisco will have the opportunity to hire candidates resulting from this recruitment.

City and County of San Francisco payroll positions may include but are not limited to the following departments:  Department of Public Health (DPH), Office of the Controller, City College of San Francisco, Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Public Works (DPW), San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), San Francisco Fire Department, Human Services Agency (HSA),  San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and Unified School District (USD). 

• Application Opening: March 2, 2026
• Application Filing Deadline: March 20, 2026 ,11:59PM (PST)

Job Description

Under direction, the 1222 Senior Payroll and Personnel Clerk is responsible for calculating, reviewing, verifying and posting payroll, timekeeping and personnel information.  The 1222 Senior Payroll and Personnel Clerk position is the advanced-journey-level position in the Payroll and Personnel Clerk classification series. It is distinguished from the 1220 Payroll and Personnel Clerk by responsibility for performing the more difficult work involved in the complex functions or issues.

The essential duties include:

• Serve as a lead worker over payroll and personnel clerks and other clerical staff.
• Calculate, record and audit payroll and timekeeping information into systems; document and assure the accuracy of employee work hours, leave credits, pay rate changes and other payroll and personnel related documents.
• Analyze and interpret economic provisions of collective bargaining agreements.
• Generate, interpret and maintain a variety of computer output reports in order to respond to employees' payroll and personnel problems and discrepancies.
• Respond to employees and departmental complaints/inquiries, in person, in writing or by telephone to resolve payroll and personnel transaction issues. 
• Prepare forms, correspondence, inter-departmental memos, input documents, problem reports concerning payroll and personnel transactions, employment and credit references and verifications.
• Prepare and record routine payroll and personnel transactions to employee records such as separation reports and leaves.
• Receive, distribute and file payroll and personnel related reports; maintain detailed files and recordkeeping systems to assure accurate and complete documentation of payroll/personnel transactions in original copy.

Qualifications

Two (2) years of experience preparing, calculating and maintaining payroll and/or personnel records.

Substitution:

• Completion of thirty (30) semester / forty-five (45) quarter units of coursework from an accredited college, university or business school with a minimum of twelve (12) semester / eighteen (18) quarter units of coursework in business administration, accounting, mathematics, human resources, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience; OR
• Possession of a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) Certificate issued by the American Payroll Association may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

VERIFICATION:

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or