Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Executive Office of Health and Human Services Looking for Payroll Specialist at Boston, MA  Full Time

The Payroll Specialist for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans’ Services (DVS) is responsible for entering and maintaining all aspects of weekly payroll for the department, including entering new hires, promotions, demotions, transfers, and verifying time and attendance exceptions in HR/CMS. May process alternative work schedules, overtime, differentials, hotline, standby, step delays, and special pay situations in a timely and accurate manner, while reviewing and monitoring salary increases and processing retroactive payments as required. Shall access reports from the Commonwealth Information Warehouse and prepare statistical reports using various databases including HR/CMS. As well as research and provide responses to complex payroll inquiries. Performs other duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Enters all new hires, promotions, demotions, transfers, etc. into HR/CMS.
• Enters and verifies time and attendance exceptions into HR/CMS on a weekly basis to ensure timely and appropriate processing payment of each employee’s time for the pay period.
• Processes overtime, differentials, hotline, standby, and special pay situations timely and accurately to ensure that affected employees are properly compensated and that appropriate rules and/or bargaining contracts are followed.
• Processes retroactive payments as required; completes forms pertaining to unemployment claims and verifications of employment.
• Enters and verifies all deductions into employee records to ensure proper payment of taxes, insurance premiums, and other benefits funded through employee deductions.
• Reviews reports to ensure accuracy of department payroll; audits records, both paper and electronic, to ensure that the payroll has been processed in accordance with all pertinent rules and regulations.
• Maintains employee calendars and monitors employee benefit balances, accruals, and vacation status, adjusting as needed.
• Processes Payroll Receipt Vouchers and Unemployment Insurance Request for information forms.
• Requests checks for emergency payment due to payroll error or separation, as needed.
• Reviews and monitors salary increases, including union/contract increases, step raises, and reallocations; delays steps due to being off the payroll and/or below ratings on EPRS.
• Performs other HR projects and other related work as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Human Resources Compensation Management System (HRCMS.)
• Knowledge of Labor Cost Management (LCM) system, rules, terminology, and business functions.
• Knowledge of employee benefits available to Commonwealth of Massachusetts employees.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations related to personnel/payroll processing.
• Knowledge of bargaining unit contracts as they pertain to various types of leaves and employee benefits affecting payroll.
• Ability to explain the procedures, guidelines, and policies governing personnel and payroll processing.
• Ability to work in a team setting.
• Ability to deal tactfully with other employees, team members and other members of the staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of personnel data, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to create, input, and maintain accurate excel spreadsheets.
• Ability to access reports through the Commonwealth Information Warehouse.
• Knowledge of HIPAA Privacy rules as they pertain to employee health benefits.

About The Department of Veterans’ Services:

The mission of the Department of Veterans’ Services is to advocate on behalf of all the Commonwealth’s veterans and provide quality support services and to direct an emergency financial assistance program for those veterans and their dependents who are in need; an outreach program for homeless prevention, suicide prevention, two State Operated Veterans’ Homes and two Cemeteries.

The state-operated veterans’ homes were established as multifaceted healthcare facilities available to eligible veterans of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The mission is to provide long-term care and support services with dignity, honor, and respect. in the best possible healthcare environment for eligible veterans who reside in the Commonwealth.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the

For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #2.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum entrance requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in personnel work, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

A Bachelor’s degree or higher may be substituted for the required experience.*

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics?

Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.