Payroll Operations Specialist

Position Title:Payroll Operations Specialist Location:Big Rapids (Main Campus) Department:

56300 - Disbursement Office

Advertised Salary:$50,000.00-$55,000.00. Salary commensurate with education, experiences, and other requirements. Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans

FLSA:Exempt Temporary/Continuing: Continuing Part-Time/Full-Time:Full-Time Union Group:N/A Term of Position:12 Month At Will/Just Cause:Just Cause Summary of Position:The Payroll Operations Specialist is responsible for the biweekly completion of the payroll cycle for 3000+ hourly and salaried employees. The position will monitor assigned payroll activities and program components essential for effective departmental functioning. Position Type:Staff Required Education:Required

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Business with an Accounting/Finance or Business Administration emphasis or a closely related field. Required Work Experience:3-5 years of recent work experience primarily focusing on payroll operations. Experience working with integrated ERP systems with a primary focus on payroll.

Experience in an educational setting such as Higher Education or K-12, specifically finance business office activities. Required Licenses and Certifications: Physical Demands:

• Office Environment
• Reaching
• Sitting
• Twisting
• Repetitive movement

Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered:Experience using Banner ERP system, Adobe Acrobat Writer for form development, or Time Clock Plus timekeeping system.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:Collaborate to develop, maintain, and ensure timely payroll processing and direct deposit submission. Monitoring and processes for special pay situations, including military leave, FMLA, and special agreements. Demonstrates an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially in working relationships with students, faculty, staff and community members. Develop methods and regularly audit employee data to verify the accuracy and integrity of the payroll system data.

Manage, research, answer, or refer inquiries from faculty, staff, students, and outside stakeholders regarding payroll policies, procedures, and documentation discrepancies. Maintain payroll records in ERP platform regarding:
Pay schedules, Holidays, Voluntary deduction tables, Earnings codes and leave time.

Preparation of quarterly informational payroll reporting, including 941, Unemployment, State, and Local submissions. Develop methods and regularly audit employee data to verify the accuracy and integrity of the payroll system data.

Understanding, preparation and processing of annual changes set forth in collective bargaining units. Process biweekly payroll, including application and oversight of elective deferrals, payroll taxes and mandator deductions. Monitor application of student employment data into ERP systems.

Troubleshoot errors and system failures related to ERP.

Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.

Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.

Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. Marginal Duties/Responsibilities:Report directly to Payroll Manager and collaborate to resolve payroll related issues.
Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of designated information.
Perform all duties in compliance with applicable University policies and procedures and state and federal requirements.
Other duties as assigned. Skills and Abilities:Positive, solution-focused attitude.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Strong communication skills, including verbal, written and analytical thinking.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to be a team player.

Effective self-management skills such as time management, organization, and self-motivation.
The ability to problem-solve and adapt as new and unprecedented situations arise
Focus on customer service that is reliable and proactive under pressure.

Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic and life experiences. Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript 1

Optional Documents: Special Instructions to Applicants:Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED):
Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcript of their bachelor degree. Transcripts must include Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript. Initial Application Review Date:
February 2, 2026 Open Until Position is Filled?:Yes Posting Close Date:
EEO Statement:Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing…