Payroll Specialist

Salary: $28.50 - $44.00 Hourly
Location : Bartow, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202500164
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 05/05/2026
Closing Date: 5/27/2026 8:00 AM Eastern

Job Summary

The City of Bartow Payroll Specialist processes payroll on a bi-weekly basis, verifies data, and ensures compliance with laws, union contracts and city policies. Inputs, reviews, and produces data necessary to complete all payrolls. Reviews output for accuracy and merging with general ledger. Administers timekeeping records as well as all leave records. Prepares state and federal tax reports including payment and/or deposit of all related taxes and employer payroll costs. Maintains confidential payroll records. Key duties include calculating wages and overtime, processing tax withholdings, managing benefit deductions, managing timekeeping systems, maintaining employee payroll files, and resolving discrepancies. The Payroll Specialist will also process and reconcile all payroll general ledger related entries. This role requires strong attention to detail, time management, organizational skills, and the ability to handle confidential information while interacting with employees and city leadership.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Ensures all aspects of payroll processing are completed in a timely manner. Trains and guides payroll personnel in all activities related to payroll processing including timekeeping, paid leave activities, tax reporting, garnishments, additive payments, payroll records, etc.
• Computes wages, overtime payments and all related deductions.
• Audits automated timesheets for FLSA and union contract compliance.
• Checks timesheets for incorrect input of hours and corrects errors to timesheets and automated master file.
• Verifies leave is used in accordance with City policies and regulations.
• Performs random audits of system computations of wage and differential pay.
• Checks work for compliance with state and federal regulations and computerized payroll system output.
• Prepares state and federal tax reports by extracting the data and information from the payroll system. Pays taxes and records wages per scheduled deadlines.
• Assists in creation and maintenance of payroll related standard operating procedures and policies. Responsible for conducting research on payroll related topics and making recommendations. Prepares special management reports by researching regulations, system operations and output.
• Assists all employees with payroll-related questions by researching data and responding in a timely and professional manner.
• Assists and provides technical system maintenance and development for existing on-line payroll system.
• Prepares various payroll-related reports for state and federal agencies.
• Manages/coordinates the payroll business function
• Participates in special payroll projects requiring research and analysis of payroll and technical system information.
• Compiles and processes annual City pension reports.
• Reconciles various payroll deduction accounts monthly.
• Researches records and compiles data for the annual financial statement audits.
• Prepares the annual Compensated Absence schedule in compliance with GASB Standard #101.
• Researches, compiles, analyzes data as needed
• Prepares comprehensive reports
• Interprets and applies complex principles, policies and practices
• Trains/educates staff and customers
• Interfaces with managers/directors
• Responds to complex personnel related payroll issues
• Participates in budget and union negotiation planning
• Prepares responses to Commission and/or administrative assignments
• Identi?es and addresses operational issues
• Coordinates with external resources/vendors
• Assists with quality assurance
• Conducts continuous improvement projects

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:Not applicable
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Superior time management skills and prioritization of work tasks
• Knowledge of research techniques
• Accounting and budgeting skills
• Project management skills
• Microsoft Office skills
• Ability to handle difficult situations
• Ability to organize and present information
• Skillful in responding to executives
• Takes initiative
• Possess technical knowledge

Education and Experience:• Associates degree or 60 hours of course work
• 4 to 6 years of experience
• Some lead or supervisory experience
• Years of experience can substitute for degree

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:• Knowledge of NeoGov Human Resources Management platform preferred

Physical and Mental Demands:The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, as established in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Essential Physical Skills:• Not applicable

Mental Demands:• Time management
• Prioritization skills
• Public speaking
Supplemental Information

Work Environment:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Payroll Specialist works in an office setting and is eligible for remote work.

Other Duties:Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Performs other related duties as assigned.

All City of Bartow employees are considered EOC essential in times of emergency. An e-role will be provided to each employee when an emergency is declared.

As a City of Bartow employee, you are a public servant of a local entity and are responsible to adhere to the Florida State Statute governing the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees Florida State Statute Chapter 112. Additionally, all Bartow employees are subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida State Statutes which governs public records.
Benefits are for regular full-time employees.
Types of Benefits:
Insurance: Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
Retirement: Pension, 457(b) deferred compensation plan
Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick leave, holiday and personal time
Other: Educational assistance program and wellness programs