Payroll Manager (youth Services & Hospitals)

Payroll Manager (Youth Services & Hospitals)

Salary: $82,836.00 - $110,172.00 Annually

Location: Denver Metro, CO

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: IHA 05489

Department: Colorado Department of Human Services

Division: Financial Services

Opening Date: 08/21/2025

Closing Date: 9/4/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation

Primary Physical Work Address: 3814 W. Princeton Circle Denver, CO 80236

Department Contact Information: Gerald.Barajas@state.co.us

How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado

This position is open to current Colorado residents only. Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Remote Work/Hybrid: In office 2 days a week, Remote 3 days a week

About this Unit: The Payroll and Timekeeping Unit at CDHS is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll for over 5,500 employees across the state of Colorado.

About this Position:

The Payroll Manager exists to (a) supervise assigned payroll supervisor's and float position staff, (b) ensure accurate and timely payroll and timekeeping functions are performed effectively, efficiently, timely and in a professional manner to provide accurate payroll payments to employees and to ensure accurate deductions for all applicable taxes, insurance, and other payroll deductions; proper payments are made to third parties; accurate reporting for management, W-2s, and other reporting purposes, (c) prepare documents and reconciliations to respond to audit requests as received by the Office of the State Auditor or other outside auditors (d) advise staff on areas within the department, to correct audit deficiencies, and other issues that arise, (e) ensure critical procedures updated based on current applicable regulations, are trained to necessary staff and are ultimately put into place for performance to maintain the operation of the systems, functions and operations of the Payroll and Timekeeping department. (g) function as back up for the Department Payroll Administrator and subordinate staff in their absence. This position is fully accountable for the work product of three direct subordinate positions as well as second level reporting staff. This position assigns tasks, monitors progress and work flow, verifies, schedules work, and establishes work standards.

Summary of Duties:

Review and Analysis:

Determines compliance/noncompliance of payroll/timekeeping practices by researching federal and state rules, accounting practices and regulations. Identifies and resolves management issues that need improvement. Develops, establishes, modifies and implements procedures to maintain compliance.

Analyzes problem areas and devises resolutions that assure the integrity of the resulting information. Implements altered or new procedures. Analyzes and formulates needed process changes within payroll/timekeeping, based on attendance at meetings requiring the payroll/timekeeping unit's input, view point, participation, or concerning topics that may impact payroll/timekeeping functions and staff. Designs and implements appropriate plans of action.

Participates in system assessment, design and roll out as applicable to assigned duties for both departmental and state wide systems and projects. Provides insight on over all impacts and participates in a leadership capacity within the payroll department

Supervision:

Evaluates employee performance and completes PMAP ratings and assessment rubrics for subordinate staff on a quarterly basis and identifies areas for both professional improvement and areas of high performance that can be used to assist other staff in areas of weaknesses. Conducts pre- and post-evaluation meetings with employees.

Coordinates and distributes workload to employees to assure work is completed in an accurate and timely manner, taking advantage of each employee's individual expertise. Assesses and rebalances staff workloads to ensure equitable distribution.

Compliance and Customer Service:

Applies generally accepted accounting principles, federal, state and department rules and regulations to resolve non-routine issues, disputes and questions concerning hours worked, leave and overtime calculations, and payroll calculations and adjustments for employees. Reviews points in contention, negotiates and mediates a reasonable resolution while assessing if departmental process or procedure changes are necessary. Provides guidance and expertise to subordinate staff and customers in the areas of department assigned duties.

Meets with employees and/or supervisors as necessary to explain generally accepted accounting principles, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures that apply to payroll and timekeeping functions. Ensures ongoing compliance with all relevant federal and state legislation, policies, and procedures affecting the assigned areas of responsibility, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA), Colorado Code of Regulations, Colorado WINS agreements, Department of Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, and the State of Colorado Fiscal Rules.

Promotes and maintains positive and effective relationships between the payroll team members, human resources, department timekeepers, supervisors, employees, Central Payroll, and other stakeholders. Acts as a liaison with Human Resources and Benefits/Risk Management. Establishes and implements appropriate procedures to prevent and/or resolve issues.

Interface with auditors:

Gathers and analyzes requested documentation for auditors. Has final accountability for submission of the work product including timeliness, correctness, and soundness. Serves as an expert to auditors in matters concerning payroll and timekeeping procedures.

Back up CDHS Payroll Supervisors (Accountant II's) @ CDHS Payroll Administrator:

Serves as a back up to the other CDHS Payroll Supervisors (Accountant II's).

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights:

Experience Only: Eight (8) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, specifically accounting, finance, payroll OR Education and Experience: A combination of related education (coursework requires 27 semester hours completed in accounting or auditing) and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to eight (8) years

Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy will count for six (6) years of the requirement

Please note: This experience must be clearly documented on your application and the supplemental questions must be answered.

Definition of Professional Experience: While not fully encompassing, professional accounting experience is defined by the Colorado Department of Human Services as work that typically involves the following components:

Analysis of financial transactions to determine accuracy, completeness, and conformance to established policies and procedures and generally accepted accounting standards

Preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial reports, statements and records, (e.g. balance sheets, profit and loss statements, amortization and depreciation schedules)

Assembling data and creating financial projections

Developing, implementing, modifying and documenting accounting systems

Reconciliation of accounts

Calculating and estimating effects of proposed changes in operating programs or accounting operations;

Auditing processes

Revenue recognition & contract completion recognition

Account troubleshooting and problem solving

Implementing and/or designing of financial controls

GL system maintenance

Making account recommendations

Preferred Qualifications (preference will be given to candidates with these qualifications):

Great attention to detail

Understanding of details and system interactions

Excellent communications skills

Experience dealing with difficult situations and customers

Great data analytic skills

2 years of supervisory experience

Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel and Access and/or google products

Demonstrated experience working with CORE (Advantage)

Preference will be given to candidates with public-sector and/or government accounting experience

Demonstrated knowledge and experience with program accounting principles and practices with human-services related programs

Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate having greater depth of experience and knowledge related to accounting principles and practices.

Conditions of Employment:

Standard Background – Name check, TRAILS, CMS and JBITS

Occasional travel, as needed, to facilities or other offices related to training and department requirements

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application