Payroll Specialist (Senior)

Description

We are hiring Payroll Specialists (Senior and Intermediate) to support the administration of federal payroll operations for employees under various hiring mechanisms. Personnel utilizes automated payroll and personnel systems to execute routine and complex payroll functions in accordance with federal laws, regulations, and Agency policies. The role performs accurate and timely payroll processing while providing responsive customer service in a high-volume, time-sensitive environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage multiple processes such as the bi-weekly payroll process, including time and attendance, leave audits, payroll adjustments, allotments, pay differentials, lump-sum payments, state tax resolution, and liaise with the National Finance Center (NFC).
• Review and execute retirement-related payroll actions, including retirement deductions, allotments, and coordination of retirement and survivor benefit applications.
• Perform complex payroll disbursement activities, including prior service costing actions based on determinations from HCTM, recalculation of payroll deductions associated with retirement code changes, and processing payroll components of retirement and survivor benefit forms (e.g., DS-765, DS-2896, DS-3100).
• Research, analyze, and resolve payroll discrepancies, including suspense items, manual salary payments, adjustment reports, and system-generated errors.
• Resolve payroll issues related to incentive programs, separation benefits, tax withholding, direct deposit, benefit premium contributions, bills of collection and refunds, and paid leave accruals.
• Maintain and reconcile payroll records and reports, including retirement-related data for employees, ensuring accurate posting of payroll and retirement transactions.
• Apply working knowledge of federal payroll policies and procedures, NFC directives, OMB guidance, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the CFO Act, and the Debt Collection Improvement Act, when executing payroll actions.
• Utilize federal payroll systems, NFC and associated tools such as PowerTerm, SPPS, EPIC, and GovTA (or equivalent USG time and attendance system), to process, research, and correct payroll transactions.
• Analyze payroll data to identify inconsistencies, research root causes, and apply established procedures to support accurate resolution of payroll issues.
• Respond to employee and Agency payroll inquiries and provide professional customer service through the Agency’s payroll ServiceNow ticketing system.
• Perform payroll reporting, documentation, and record retention in compliance with federal requirements and internal controls.
• Perform duties independently in a high-volume, time-sensitive environment while managing multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Follow established procedures and internal controls while maintaining confidentiality of payroll and personnel data.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• Personnel shall possess at least 5 for mid and 10 years for Senior of direct experience supporting federal payroll operations at a USG department or agency. Personnel must demonstrate experience with federal payroll policies and procedures, and NFC management directives, OMB guidance, the Code of Federal Regulations, the CFO Act, and the Debt Collection Improvement Act and possess knowledge of federal payroll systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of federal payroll policies and procedures.

Skills:

• High-level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently in a high-volume environment.
• Strong communications and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Security Clearance

• Public Trust

Experience Level

Expert Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Washington, DC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $38.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job

classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be

subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits

available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Washington,DC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 26, 2026.

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