Lead Benefits and Payroll Specialist

Start Date: July 1st or as mutually agreed upon.

Position Type: Full-time, 261 days per year

Location: District Administration

Salary: Pay for this position is determined by the 261-day Year Round Accounting/Executive Secretary Salary Schedule and based on education and experience. Salary Range $23.66-25.55/hour

Benefits Include: Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, PERA retirement, paid time off, as well as other optional benefit elections. Longevity and professional development incentives.

Purpose of the Job:

The Lead Payroll Accountant is under the general direction of the Accounting / Payroll Manager and will assist with the new year roll over of the accounting system for payroll and include the budget preparation including Charter School payroll. Will provide direction and assistance to the payroll process, responsible for performing critical complex procedures of the payroll department. The Lead Payroll Accountant will be responsible for completing quarterly and yearly multi-state reports and oversees accuracy and submitting employee information.They will provide direction and assistance to department staff regarding payroll processes.

Minimum Requirements:

Education: High School Diploma. Post-Secondary Accounting or equivalent experience preferred.

Experience: Accounting experience preferred.

Licenses/Certificates: Colorado Driver License preferred.

Other: Must qualify for fidelity bonding requirements of the district

Other Criteria:

• Knowledge of accounting principles, methods, practices, and modern techniques for recording and interpreting financial and statistical data
• Knowledge of data entry methods and modern office practices and procedures
• Knowledge of rules, regulations, and auditing principles applying to payroll accounting, financial transactions, and records
• Ability to act in a lead capacity, including planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating the work of others
• Ability to apply accounting principles to the maintenance of fiscal records and the preparation of fiscal reports
• Ability to perform detailed work involving written or numerical data with speed and accuracy
• Ability to interpret written and numerical data and process it into specified formats via data entry
• Proficiency in using a calculator and computer terminal to process financial data and perform rapid mathematical calculations
• Ability to analyze and resolve various payroll discrepancies
• Ability to interact professionally with the public and departmental personnel in person and over the telephone
• Experience with computerized double-entry bookkeeping systems for small to medium-sized entities
• General knowledge of payroll laws, School Board Policies, Fair Labor Standards, and Federal Income Tax laws
• Ability to perform routine and highly complex accounting support, including posting, calculating, auditing, and verifying data accuracy
• Experience overseeing the processing of court orders, garnishments, employee status research, and the distribution of third-party checks
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and maintain positive relationships with peers, staff, and the public
• Must qualify for district fidelity bonding requirements
• Demonstrated reliability and commitment to producing high-quality work in all situations
• Maintenance of a professional appearance and a clean, professional work area
• Comprehensive knowledge of job-specific duties and a consistent focus on staying on task
• Ability to model and uphold the District’s Mission and Belief Statements
• Must pass a criminal background check as a condition of hire

Essential Functions of the Job: Under the direction of the Accounting / Payroll Manager, shall be responsible for assisting with all accounting functions, specifically for the whole process of payroll including rollover and budgeting preparation, and other duties as assigned.

• Responsible for running Canon City School District’s monthly payroll.
• Leads, instructs, and reviews the work of entry level professionals; Assists with highly complex payroll functions.
• Enter new positions under the direction of the Accounting / Payroll Manager. This includes all supplemental pay stipends.
• Performs verification and reconciliation tasks according to department checks and balances; Investigates audit discrepancies, including the Charter School payroll process.
• Oversee an up-to-date accounting for all leave benefits on the employee’s data records.
• Pull reports from the Absence Management system and process reports to update employees' leave for posting and tracking purposes.
• Oversees the accuracy of reconciling and payment of payroll expenses.
• Oversees the accuracy of new employee payroll setup
• Assist/create with new year calendars
• Assist the Accounting / Payroll Manager in creating salary schedules and providing support for budget scenarios during negotiation season.
• Support to the Accounting / Payroll Manager with the fiscal year set up for the Charter School.
• Oversees the accuracy of the Payroll Payables wire transfers information to be given to the Manager of Payroll and Accounting
• Performs routine and highly complex accounting support work in payroll services, e.g., posting/data entry, calculating data, verifying accuracy, audits, and/or reviews source documents.
• Oversees and directs the accuracy of following Colorado PERA regulations.
• Oversees and checks accuracy and may prepare forms for employees in the retirement process, including the final six months.
• Oversees and checks the accuracy of the submission of State and Federal monthly tax reports.
• Oversees the accuracy of the updating of the yearly medical, dental and vision deductions in the accounting software.
• Prepare and review reports for district use, as assigned
• Document key dollar amount of position changes for the fiscal/budget procedures and amendments.
• Forecast spending and on future payroll changes, for ex…Sub rate increase.
• Receives, responds accordingly, and/or directs to the appropriate entity on inquiries, requests, and concerns regarding the payroll functions, e.g., timesheet preparation, school board policies, budgetary coding, various government tax forms, garnishments, disabilities, and employee verifications.
• Performs other duties as may be directed by the Accounting / Payroll Manager and the Director of Business Services.

Entry Level Criteria: (Note: These are the physical and mental abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the job.)

• Character, personality, and proper social capability to relate effectively with staff and the public
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide variety of community groups and organizations.
• Working knowledge of laws related to school accounting and grant accounting
• Demonstrated ability to effectively resolve conflict
• Ability to present information effectively, both orally and in written communication
• Possess skills to be able to utilize technology as directed by the District to communicate and function effectively as a 21st century employee
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment physical

Equipment: Various office equipment and technology as directed by the District.

Work Environment: Office, building, and school environments

Requirements for Essential Functions of the Job: (The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; feel or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds from floor to waist, waist to overhead, waist to floor and overhead to floor. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work in a school setting. Travel from site to site may occasionally; be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment ranges is generally quiet with occasional increase when working events or with equipment. Must be able to work in person.

Mental Functions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to analyze and compute. Frequently required to compare, communicate, coordinate, instruct, evaluate, use interpersonal skills and compile. Occasionally required to copy, synthesize and negotiate.

This description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements essential for making compensation decisions. This job description is subject to change in accordance with the needs of the District.

TO APPLY:

A district application must be completed online at: https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/canoncityschools

Anticipated Timeline for Hiring: Open until filled
Screening of Applications: Friday, May 22, 2026
Applications must be complete and submitted to be considered

Inquiries may be made to Jamie Davis, Director of Human Resources, 101 North 14th Street, Cañon City, CO, 81212, 719-276-5700.

Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity

In compliance with Titles VI; VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, School District Fremont RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to, treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates.

School District Fremont RE-1 has established complaint procedures for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. Complaints may be filed verbally, in writing, or anonymously. If you wish to file a complaint using the district complaint form, please submit it to: Ms. Jamie Davis, Director of Human Resources, Title IX, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, 101 North 14th Street, Cañon City, Colorado 81212 – Telephone: (719)276-5700, Email:jamie.davis@canoncityschools.org.