Human Resources Analyst I/II (Payroll Analyst)

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (District) is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices.
The District's jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others - southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.

The District is conducting an open recruitment for the position of Payroll Analyst in the Finance Office. There is one (1) vacancy. This is a full-time, confidential position.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Payroll Analyst is responsible for processing and analyzing payroll in compliance with applicable laws, policies, and labor agreements. This role ensures accurate and timely compensation for employees, interprets union contracts and civil service rules, and prepares reports for internal divisions and external agencies. The analyst supports audits, reconciles payroll data, responds to employee inquiries, and maintains payroll records. Attention to detail, knowledge of public sector payroll practices, and the ability to work with confidential information are essential.

The work associated with this position will be performed through a hybrid work model that will require both onsite and remote work with 2-3 days on site per week. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.

DEFINITION

Under direction, performs a variety of payroll administration duties including calculating wages, deductions, and benefits; maintaining payroll records; reconciling payroll transactions; and preparing reports for internal and external use. This position also supports audits, assists with payroll system updates, and responds to employee inquiries related to compensation, leave balances, and deductions. and performs related work as assigned a

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Analyst I is the entry-to-journey level class of this series. Initially under direct supervision, incumbents perform a wide range of routine to difficult professional human resources duties within limited program areas. As experience and proficiency are gained, duties become progressively more diversified and difficult, until they are performed under general supervision at the journey level. This class may be alternately staffed at the Human Resources Analyst II level and incumbents may progress to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency sufficient to meet the qualifications for the higher level.

Analyst II is the journey-to-senior level class in this series, fully competent to perform a full range of difficult assignments in a majority of the human resources program areas requiring a higher degree of working knowledge, ability, and initiative. As incumbents master a broader scope of responsibilities they are expected to take assignments and projects that have a higher consequence of error from beginning to end with minimal day-to-day supervision while exercising significant initiative, independent judgment and decision-making.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (Illustrative Only)

Administers and processes payroll; receives, reviews, verifies and processes payroll records, documentation, and related paperwork; audits documents for completeness, accuracy and conformance with policies and procedures; inputs payroll information; generates payroll warrants; and researches and resolves complex payroll issues.

Calculates and prepares payroll journal entries to the general ledger as necessary; audits and reconciles balances with accounts and system records.

Analyze payroll data, prepare payroll reports to support cost recovery, grant accounting and general reporting, and other cost analysis that are critical in Air District financial operation.

Calculate and process pay adjustments and deductions changes, including acting pay assignments, deferred compensation, benefits, and 401a/457 deductions, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, Administrative Code, and other federal and state laws.

Inputs employee bi-weekly wages into CalPERS website as well as entering other special compensation as needed. Processes service credit purchase as they are submitted.

Prepares warrants for payment of payroll liabilities, including taxes, retirement contributions and garnishments.

Interprets, explains, and implements Air District policies and state and federal laws regarding payroll and relevant benefits.

Provides information to employees and consults management staff on payroll, including interpretation and application of various Air District policies and procedures such as the Memorandum of Understanding and Administrative Code.

Maintains payroll records, including employee accruals and balances.

Responds to payroll-related requests in writing or by telephone from outside agencies, such as the credit unions, retirement system, insurance companies and auditors.

Compiles, generates, and prepares payroll data for a variety of state and federal mandated reporting.

Develops and recommends procedures and controls for payroll processing and distribution.

Provides technical assistance, training, and support to Air District staff as it relates to the use of the payroll and timekeeping system.

Assists the Air District's HRIS Administrator with system enhancements and improvements.

Develops strategies to reduce payroll costs and/or improve processes while maintaining or improving payroll service levels; analyzes and reviews payroll/HRIS contracts for renewal, legal compliance, and daily administration.

Assists in maintaining the District's Human Resources Information System and database and uses System as needed to perform assigned work; develops non-standard reports by determining needed data fields and format; enters select data types.

Assists the Finance Division in the formulation of policy, goals and objectives, and the annual budget for the Air District.

May provide day-to-day direction to other analysts, paraprofessional and clerical staff and review their work on special projects as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, public or business administration, or a closely related field, and four years of payroll processing experience, preferably in the public sector.

Substitution: Relevant experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, up to two years.

How To Apply:

Interested individuals must submit a completed BAAQMD application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Applications are accepted online. Please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply or to download an application. Resumes must be included, and not in lieu of the required application materials. Postmarks, faxes, and E-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Except as requested in this announcement, do not include any additional documents, such as letters of recommendation, performance evaluations, work samples, etc. They will not be considered or returned. Applicants submitting paper applications must also complete an official BAAQMD application. Postmarks, faxes, and e-mails will not be accepted.

Supplemental Questionnaire Instructions:
Individuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the supplemental questions. Both paper and online applications must be received by the Human Resources Office no later than the time and date specified in the vacancy announcement. The responses to the supplemental application questions will be used in accordance with the procedures indicated under the Selection Criteria in the vacancy announcement.

Instructions: Please limit your responses to no more than one page (<500 words) per question. Do not combine your responses, or reference your application, resume, or any other requested documentation that you have included with your application packet to answer a question. Please be advised that the information you provide will be evaluated "as is" and incomplete or illegible applications will likely receive lower ratings. Therefore, it is very important to provide a concise, organized, and easy to follow response to each question.

You must provide the following for each question regarding experience: The name of the employer where you gained your experience, your job title, length of time in years/months performing the specific function, and detailed examples that illustrate your duties and responsibilities.

Selection Criteria:
Selection may be based upon a competitive examination consisting of a written exercise, interview, or combination of the two. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, an application screening and/or panel interview may be used to determine the most qualified applicants. If a panel interview is utilized it will be weighted 100%, and it may include a work exercise that will be scored as a percentage of the total score.

The District may hire from this recruitment process to fill future vacancies occurring within the next 18 months.

Updates regarding your status in the recruitment will be sent via email, unless you indicate a different preference on your application.

Persons with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations during the application and/or selection process should notify the Human Resources Office at (415) 749-4980.

The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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