Payroll Specialist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office of the Controller is responsible for the financial operations of Chicago Public Schools, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Internal Accounts, and Corporate Accounting.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Payroll Manager, the Payroll Specialist assists the Payroll team in reviewing the way we process payroll for employees and ensuring payments are accurate and timely. The Payroll Specialist reviews payroll data and notes any errors, validates amounts, hours worked, rate of pay, and deductions, and ensures payments are made on time. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Payroll Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Record duties below - do not add rows.

• Assign % to each duty, totaling 100% (not applicable for SG1, SG2, or union positions).

• Provide Tier II support for employee questions

• Review timesheets and attendance records for accuracy, making corrections as necessary

• Review compensation-related data including wages, retroactive payments, bonuses, and benefits

• Assist the payroll team in reviewing payroll transactions and running and/or reviewing related exception reports to ensure anomalies are researched, explained, and/or resolved

• Assist with researching and resolving pension and benefit-related issues

• Assist with audits of payroll procedures and records

• Assist with making improvements to business processes and systems

• Other duties as assigned

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office of the Controller is responsible for the financial operations of Chicago Public Schools, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Internal Accounts, and Corporate Accounting.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Payroll Manager, the Payroll Specialist assists the Payroll team in reviewing the way we process payroll for employees and ensuring payments are accurate and timely. The Payroll Specialist reviews payroll data and notes any errors, validates amounts, hours worked, rate of pay, and deductions, and ensures payments are made on time. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Payroll Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Record duties below - do not add rows.

• Assign % to each duty, totaling 100% (not applicable for SG1, SG2, or union positions).

• Provide Tier II support for employee questions

• Review timesheets and attendance records for accuracy, making corrections as necessary

• Review compensation-related data including wages, retroactive payments, bonuses, and benefits

• Assist the payroll team in reviewing payroll transactions and running and/or reviewing related exception reports to ensure anomalies are researched, explained, and/or resolved

• Assist with researching and resolving pension and benefit-related issues

• Assist with audits of payroll procedures and records

• Assist with making improvements to business processes and systems

• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Payroll Specialist must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent is required

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of related professional work experience, including the following, is required: