Payroll Specialist

PAYROLL SPECIALIST
Full Time – In-Person | Oakland, CA

Mission: Safe Passages disrupts the cycle of poverty by engaging youth and families to build and drive a continuum of services that supports student success and community development.

Safe Passages is a non‑profit organization committed to disrupting the cycle of poverty by supporting our local community. We serve over 5,000 children and families annually through strategies that span the life spectrum from birth through young adulthood, including Early Childhood, School Linked Services, Juvenile Justice, and Career Pathways. Safe Passages’ work is grounded in the belief that access to educational opportunity, health services, and family support should not be dictated by race or socio‑economic status, and that healthy and supported youth are better prepared to learn and succeed.

The Payroll Specialist plays a key role in our Fiscal Team, ensuring accurate and timely payroll, maintaining records, resolving discrepancies, and supporting audits. Collaborating with HR and Finance, this role handles employee status changes, benefits deductions, and tax filings while ensuring compliance with all payroll regulations. This position offers hands‑on experience in payroll and finance within a mission‑driven organization, providing opportunities for professional growth, skill development, and making a meaningful impact on the well‑being of our employees.

At Safe Passages, you’re not just joining a workplace; you’re joining a community. Our team is deeply committed to equity, collaboration, and meaningful impact. You’ll work alongside passionate professionals who care about the work as much as they care about one another. Here, your expertise contributes directly to creating safer, healthier, and more equitable opportunities for children, youth, and families across Oakland.

• Process weekly, semi‑monthly, and off‑cycle payrolls for all Safe Passages employees accurately and on time.
• Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date payroll records and ensure all data is properly coded for processing.
• Maintain compliance with all payrolls, wage, and hour regulations at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Collaborate with HR to process employee status changes, including new hires, terminations, promotions, and leave of absences.
• Enter and verify timekeeping records, ensuring accurate hours worked, PTO, and holiday pay.
• Process wage garnishments, benefit deductions, retirement contributions, and other required with holdings.
• Assist with payroll tax filings and stay updated on tax regulation changes.
• Support payroll audits, maintain audit‑ready documentation, and review payroll correspondence to resolve notices with the Fiscal Team.
• Assist the Controller and Finance director in implementing payroll policies and procedures.
• Generate reports to identify discrepancies, correct errors, recover over payments, and maintain accurate financial records.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and address time‑sensitive payroll inquiries from employees, staff, and Ameri Corps members.

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent work experience) in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in full‑cycle payroll processing, accounting, or finance.
• Proficiency with payroll software, timekeeping systems, and Microsoft Excel.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent customer service availability.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality.

• Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Full FDA‑approved COVID‑19 vaccination.
• TB test within the last 3 years.

• 13 paid holidays.
• 1 Floating holiday.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Paid time off and sick leave accruals.
• Employee Assistance Program.

This position is based on a 40‑hour work week. Must be able to work a flexible schedule with some evening and weekend hours as needed, especially on days with hard payroll deadlines. Some local travel may be required.

Annual salary of $65K – $75K.

Safe Passages is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.