Payroll Specialist Senior

As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage. Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.

To learn more about Macomb County benefits click here

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

Payroll Specialist Senior

SALARY:

$66,559.45 - $86,089.08

DEPARTMENT:

Finance Department

Opening Date:

02/26/2026

Closing Date:

03/12/2026 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt Overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) position. The starting time for this position is currently 8:00 a.m.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under direction, calculates, processes, reconciles and distributes Countywide payroll and monthly pension payments. Prepares and processes employee W2’s and retiree 1099R’s. Prepares, audits, and submits various payments and reports for local, state, and federal taxes, and other required deductions. Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws as well as County policies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Calculates, audits, and processes Countywide payroll, monthly pension payments and supplemental payroll runs, including the processing and distribution of checks and direct deposit payments.

Processes leave time, overtime, and other special pay for employees.

Prepares and processes payments and required reports for payroll or pension related deductions such as taxes, garnishments, third-party voluntary benefit programs, and other deductions.

Supports Human Resources and Labor Relations operations with payroll changes, new deductions, new hires, terminations, retirements, monthly medical waivers, and yearly deduction changes. 

Assists all County departments with payroll related functions and inquiries.

Processes year-end reports and maintains historical files.

Performs year-end payroll and pension account reconciliation.

Calculates, processes and distributes employee W-2 and retiree 1099R tax documents.

Verifies and processes new deductions and updates tax tables for the upcoming fiscal year.

Prepares annual payroll schedule.

Prepares special reports as required.

Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.  

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or related field
• Five years of experience administering end-to-end payroll processing for a medium to large sized organization
   

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or related field
• Experience administering end-to-end payroll processing for a public or non-profit organization
   

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel
   

Preferred Licenses or Certifications

• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
   

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Payroll processing procedures and best practices
• Applicable payroll systems and software used for processing and reporting, including Workday
• County payroll policies, labor agreements, and relevant regulations
• Accounting principles related to payroll and financial transactions
• Wage, tax, and deduction calculations, including overtime and special pay
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment

Skill in:

• Data entry
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships

Ability to:

• Understand collective bargaining agreement language regarding payroll items
• Maintain accurate records
• Prioritize incoming communications based on time sensitivity
• Establish strong rapport with other departments and develop collaborative relationships across the County
• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Work independently

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: N/S

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: O

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: N/S

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: N/S

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85+ decibels): N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand:

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: F/C

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): F/C

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees): N/S

Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging:  N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: N/S

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: O

Kneeling to work at low levels: N/S

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another:

Up to 10 pounds: F/C

Up to 50 pounds: O

More than 50 pounds: N/S

Over 100 pounds: N/S

Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: O

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): F/C

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: F/C

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations. 

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 411 bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.