Payroll Specialist

POSTING DATE:     3/3/2023
CLOSING DATE:     3/27/2023, 5:00 p.m.
POSITION TYPE:     12-month, SHRA, FLSA Non Exempt, 1.0 FTE
HIRING SALARY RANGE:     $42,559 - $48,943

NCSSM and the Business Office foster an environment of collaboration across departments and divisions and support community-engaged service and research. NCSSM is proud of the diversity of its student body and we seek to attract an equally diverse applicant pool for this position. NCSSM is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and we are strongly committed to increasing faculty and staff diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. If you are an individual with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process, please contact us at hr@ncssm.edu. 

Description of Duties:

After the initial training period, this position will have remote work options and work/life flexibility. 

Position is located on the Morganton campus and reports to the Accountant located in Durham, NC. The position is responsible for processing all payroll for up to 100 temporary employees combined on both campuses.  Biweekly payroll is processed in the Integrated HR/Payroll System formerly known as BEACON. This position is responsible for the following tasks:  

• Track each payment against contract dates and amount to make sure payment doesn't go over the contracted amount. 
• Manually enter timesheet hours into the payroll system.
• After processing payroll, run reports to verify data matches projections and resolve any discrepancies before payroll finalization.  
• Bill receipt-supported payroll items for reimbursement to the State from Foundation and other funding sources.
• Provide technical guidance and troubleshooting questions concerning payroll, benefits, time and leave.
• Coordinate the processing of dual employment payments and receivables with other agencies.
• Crosstrain with the Payroll Technician responsible for monthly payroll processing on the Durham Campus.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The Payroll Specialist must have an in-depth knowledge of payroll processing and reporting and exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures.  The selected candidate must be able to organize workload to meet stringent payroll deadlines; work with employees and Best Shared Services to resolve discrepancies before payroll finalization. This position assists employees while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism. The Payroll Specialist must interpret and apply Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) policy and procedures and have strong attention to detail. Must have the ability to learn and train on the North Carolina Accounting System (NCAS), and Integrated HR/Payroll System (formally called Beacon). A working knowledge of the following Google Apps: Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Forms and Microsoft Office Products (Excel and Word). 

Management prefers: 

• Knowledge and application of OSHR policy and procedures related to payroll and time entry.  
• Working knowledge of FLSA exempt and non-exempt employment status.
• Training in OSC Integrated HR Payroll System (formerly Beacon).
• Payroll processing and determining pay calculations for employees. 
• Experience entering time and leave into a payroll system.

Minimum Education and Experience:

High school diploma or General Education Development Diploma (GED) and three (3) years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Preference will be given to candidates who have graduated with an Associates Degree with a major in business or accounting; two (2) years of payroll processing experience; and working knowledge of the State’s Integrated HR/Beacon Payroll system. 

Team NCSSM Benefits:

Free On-campus Parking

Vacation: Varied based on EHRA or SHRA Classification. For SHRA and Faculty, earn from 14 days to 26 days per year based on years of state service (part-time employees are pro-rated).  EHRA SAAO Group I, receives 26 days per year and EHRA SAAO Group II/Instructional (IRIT), receives 24 days per year. Leave is earned monthly.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year.

Additional Leave: Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL), Civil Leave, Extended Illness, Short/Long Term Disability, Family Illness Leave, Military Leave, Community Service Leave, Bonus Leave, Voluntary Shared Leave and Leave Without Pay.

Holidays: 12 days per year

Retirement: Required participation for all employees working 3/4 time or more. Option (1) Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees are vested for retirement after 5 years. Option (2) The Optional Retirement Program (ORP) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees in ORP are vested after 5 years of participating in ORP. As a participant in either retirement program, you are automatically covered for short-term disability (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost), long term disability (eligible after 5 year of service/no cost). Death benefit of minimum $25,000/maximum $50,000 based on previous 12 month salary (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost).

Supplemental Retirement Plans: Supplemental retirement plans provide an additional opportunity to help you reach your retirement goals.  Supplemental Plan offerings such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) on a Roth (after-tax) or pre-tax contributions from several different vendors.

Health Insurance: Employee only coverage under the State Health Plan (PPO) is provided to employees that work 30 or more hours a week. The cost is determined by the type of coverage elected by the employee. Dependent coverage is available by payroll deduction.

NC Flex Plan: Plan offers Health Care Flexible Spending, Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending, Dental Insurance, Vision Care Plan, Critical Illness, Cancer Insurance, Core Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Accident, and Group Term Life. All plans are pre-tax basis / Cost varies depending on selections, 

Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance: Securian (This is an after-tax plan and is portable)

Longevity: Payable to SHRA employees after 10 years of creditable state service (EHRA employees are not eligible).

Tuition Waiver: Three courses per academic year tuition free (at any of UNC 17 campuses that offer courses) for permanent full-time employees. Under Educational Assistance, tuition reimbursement may be available for attendance at Community Colleges provided courses taken pertain to current job or upgrades current job skills.

State Employees Credit Union: Membership welcomed. Contact the SECU Credit Union for information.

Community Service: 24 hours leave credited each calendar year (prorated for part-time) unless you choose the Mentoring/ tutoring option – 1 hour each week up to a max of 36 hours that schools are in session as documented by the elected board of the local education agency or the governing authority of any non-public school.

Facilities: Library & Gymnasium - other athletic facilities available at no cost to employees. Cafeteria on site.

About NCSSM:

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is a world-class public high school with statewide reach empowering academically talented students from diverse backgrounds from every corner of the state to design their own future. We offer residential high school programs in Durham and Morganton for juniors and seniors or virtual high school courses and programs that students can take alongside their local curriculum, all tuition free. Our wide array of summer offerings for rising 5th- through 12th-graders includes free opportunities for in-state students alongside paid options for students from anywhere in the world. NCSSM Extended Learning partners with communities and regions to advance student learning and outcomes.

Specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math, and embracing the fine arts and humanities, NCSSM has become the model for 18 such specialized schools around the globe since its founding in 1980 and is a full constituent of the University of North Carolina System. NCSSM’s Ignite + Transform comprehensive campaign seeks to raise $50 million in private support for our mission.

The new NCSSM-Morganton campus opened in 2022 for summer programs and its first fall academic term. NCSSM-Morganton focuses on the booming fields of data science and artificial intelligence, preparing the leaders of tomorrow to navigate a future driven by data and machine learning, with emphasis on the humanistic implications and ethical use of these tools.

Nearly two-thirds of NCSSM graduates earn a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field -- over three times the national average, including 58 percent of our underrepresented minority graduates, which is nearly four times the national average. Nearly three-quarters have earned or are seeking a graduate degree. A 2020 economic impact study found that 54 percent of our alumni continue to live and work in North Carolina, catalyzing nearly $1.3 billion in annual economic activity. NCSSM embraces equity, diversity, and inclusion, and seeks to recruit employees who share these values.

For more information, please read the NCSSM strategic plan and visit ncssm.edu.

How to Apply:

Submit electronic application via: http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/. Please create an account, search for the Payroll Specialist position vacancy, and submit the online application.

Please complete your application in full. All required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear on the application in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State Application form in its entirety. “See Attached Resume or an Embedded Text Resume” will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If applicants are a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least six years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22 along with their state application.

Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require a motor vehicle check. If the highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. NCSSM participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Please refrain from submitting multiple applications. However, if multiple applications are submitted to a posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be accepted. There is a 24 hour waiting period before an applicant can re-apply to a position.

If you have questions, please contact Eric Hunsley, Assistant HR Director, at eric.hunsley@ncssm.edu

NCSSM is an EEO/eVerify/VEVRAA Employer