Payroll Coordinator

JOB TYPE: FULL-TIME

STATUS: NON-EXEMPT, HOURLY

COMPENSATION: THIS IS A UNIONIZED POSITION. THE SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS ARE BASED ON THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT

REPORTS TO: FINANCE DIRECTOR

APPROVED BY: WATERTOWN TOWN COUNCIL

APPROVAL DATE: 03-25-2025

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for performing administrative and technical tasks of confidential and complex nature related to payroll functions. Duties include collecting payroll information, preparing payroll, processing payroll, maintaining payroll records, preparing payroll reports and other routine clerical tasks.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages workflow to ensure payroll is processed accurately and timely
• Performs calculating, posting and verification of bi-weekly payroll
• Runs and balances quarterly/yearly payroll reports
• Balances, prepares, and files timely W-2s and required IRS, Social Security and State filings i.e. 941s
• Works in conjunction with the Director of Human Resources to ensure payroll for active, terminated, and leave employees is processed timely and accurately
• Collects all time entry information and verify payroll for the accuracy of pays that have been approved by a supervisor prior to importing into IV/Tyler Software System
• Ensure payments are properly maintained and coded for the Town, Police & Fire Department is timely and accurately
• Enters, retrieves, imports and exports data from computer systems and software
• Tracks, updates and maintains a variety of personnel records to include but not limited to: Sick Leave, Vacation, Personal Time, Holidays, Compensatory Time, etc. in the software system
• Works in conjunction with the Director of Human Resources to track and accurately reflect employee's salary and personnel changes such as general wage increases, retroactive payments, longevity, leave absences, terminations, etc.
• Responsible to verify the accuracy of payments prior to the processing of payroll and initiates corrections and adjustments as needed after confirming and validating employee’s register reports
• Performs annual updates to reflect changes in provisions of employee contracts, union contracts, tax tables, and employee benefits per the Director of Human Resources
• Participates in the budgeting of wage-and-payroll related costs
• Calculates employee unused sick leave payment at fiscal year-end
• Completes various quarterly and annual surveys for the State Department of Labor and other agencies as required
• Distribute checks to each department
• Responsible for assisting in administrative tasks related to payroll processing and Human Resources functions
• Runs and prepares payments for pensions
• Works with the Board of Education on alternating payroll weeks of the Town to ensure appropriate filings are made on their behalf

The above duties describe the most significant responsibilities performed and are not to be considered a detailed description of every duty of the position. Other related duties may be assigned by the Finance Director.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are also representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

• Working knowledge of payroll processing and procedures from best practices and financial terminology
• Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize and schedule work
• Ability to maintain complex and varied clerical records and prepare reports
• Strong knowledge of Federal and State payroll and taxation laws and reporting requirements
• Knowledge of payroll and time and attendance policies and proficient in technical applications and requirements related to electronic payroll and timekeeping systems
• Ability to keep projects on schedule and complete assignments in a timely manner
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and respond to changing priorities
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a time sensitive environment
• Ability to interpret instructions and use good judgment in applying them
• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, employees, and supervisors.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Provide outstanding customer service to internal and external customers
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office products and computer software systems preferred

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Must be a graduate of a high school or technical secondary school business program with bookkeeping courses and three (3) years of experience in payroll for a municipal department or state agency; OR any combination of training and experience which provides a demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the position.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be bondable in accordance with the General Statues of the State of Connecticut. Must be able to pass a thorough background investigation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk; use hands and fingers, handle or operate objects, controls or standard office equipment, reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, and or possibility crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK: This is a full-time position. This position occasionally requires long hours beyond those scheduled hours, including evening and weekend work as job duties demand.

TRAVEL: NONE

EEOC STATEMENT: It is the policy of the Town of Watertown to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Town of Watertown will provide reasonable accommodations, that does not present an undue hardship, for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Employee’s signature below indicates an understanding of the requirements and essential duties of the position.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Please send Watertown Job Application to the Town Manager’s Office, Town of Watertown, Watertown Town Hall 61 Echo Lake Road, Watertown, CT 06795 by 2:00 P.M., March 23, 2026. Town of Watertown Job Applications are available at the Town Hall or online at www.watertownct.org

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $51,065.72 - $68,571.57 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Supplemental Pay:

• Overtime pay

Work Location: In person