This posting is for the Payroll Specialist position for the Chehalis School District for the 2026/27 school year. This is a Classified, Exempt, Non-Represented position. It is 8 hours per day, 260 days per year, which includes holidays and vacation days. The position is open until filled.

A completed application packet should include the following:

Resume
Letter of Interest including how the candidate meets the qualifications
Three (3) Reference Letters
Copies of academic transcripts

Position Summary:

The Payroll Specialist provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of district payroll and benefit functions. Position is responsible for accurate, timely, and legally compliant payroll processing for over 500 certificated, classified, and administrative employees, including substitutes and coaches. This position ensures compliance with Washington State laws, collective bargaining agreements and applicable federal and state regulations, while supporting district goals through effective systems, controls, and customer service.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Perform and direct all payroll operations for the district, including monthly payroll
Ensure compliance with Washington State requirements, including but not limited to:
- Department of Retirement Systems (PERS, TRS, SERS)
- WA Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)
- Labor & Industries (L&I)
- IRS, FLSA and applicable state and federal laws
- New Hire reporting
Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts, and district policies and procedures related to compensation and leave
Under direction of the Chief Financial Officer, prepare annual payroll budget within district’s financial system
Responsible for:
- SEBB Processing
- W-2s, payroll taxes and quarterly 941s
- Quarterly PFML and Unemployment reporting and payments
- VEBA administrative reporting and processing
- Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b)s & Deferred Compensation Program
- Leave cashout payments
- CRDC reporting
- Substitute reporting
- Employee leave accounting
Supervise, train, and evaluate payroll staff
Promote professional growth and high-quality customer service
Oversee payroll accounting, reconciliations, and reporting
Collaborate closely with Finance and HR departments
Lead payroll audits and respond to internal and external audit requests
Recommend policy and procedures as applicable to position
Maintain/archive payroll records as required
Manage payroll system configuration, testing, upgrades, and process improvements
Develop and maintain internal controls, procedures, and documentation related to payroll, benefits and related taxes and laws
Serve as a subject matter expert for payroll-related inquiries, contract negotiations and issue resolution
Disseminate payroll and benefit information to employees as appropriate
Other payroll related duties as assigned or needed

Job Requirements - Qualifications:

Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including supervisory or management experience
Experience with public-sector or school district payroll operations
Demonstrated knowledge of Washington State payroll laws and retirement systems (PERS, TRS, SERS)
Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet ongoing, frequent deadlines
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Ability to interpret contracts, regulations, and complex payroll data
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in a Washington State public school district
Experience with complex payroll environments and multiple bargaining units
Knowledge of school district accounting and budget practices
Proficient in Google Workspace
Experience with Skyward or Qmlativ

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

Primarily office-based with standard business hours; extended hours will be required during peak payroll cycles
Ability to sit for extended periods and work at a computer

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Compensation and Benefits:

The District complies with State Law regarding SEBB (School Employee Benefits Board) and DRS (Washington State Department of Retirement Systems) eligibility and benefits. If eligible, SEBB benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, AD&D Insurance, Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA), and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP). Retirement benefits, if eligible, may include membership in SERS retirement plans in addition to voluntary Deferred Compensation Program and 403(b) Annuity enrollments.

Notice of Non-Discrimination:

Chehalis School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, ethnicity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to youth development organizations listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society.

Chehalis School District offers classes in many career and technical education (CTE) program areas, including Agriculture, Business and Marketing, Family and Consumer Sciences, Skilled and Technical Sciences, Health Sciences and STEM. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

El Distrito Escolar de Chehalis no discrimina en ningún programa o actividad por sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, origen nacional, edad, etnicidad, condición de veterano o estatus militar con baja honorable, orientación sexual, expresión o identidad de género, falta de vivienda, inmigración o estatus de ciudadania, la presencia de cualquier discapacidad sensorial, mental o física, neurodivergencia , ni por el uso de un perro guía o animal de servicio entrenado, y garantiza el acceso equitativo a las organizaciones de desarrollo juvenil enumeradas en el Título 36 del Código de los Estados Unidos como sociedades patrióticas.

El Distrito Escolar de Chehalis ofrece clases en varias áreas con programas de educación vocacional y técnica (CTE), incluyendo Agricultura, Negocios y Mercadotecnia, Ciencias de la Familia y del Consumidor, Ciencias Técnicas y Calificadas, Ciencias de la Salud y STEM. La falta de dominio del idioma inglés no será una barrera para la admisión y participación en programas de educación profesional y técnica.

Title IX Coordinator: Tommy Elder, 360-807-7235, telder@chehalisschools.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Katie Howell, (360) 807-7245 option 3, khowell@chehalisschools.org

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Leslie Wohld, 360-807-7200, lwohld@chehalisschools.org

Career and Technical Education Coordinator: Don Bunker, 360-807-7235, dbunker@chehalisschools.org

Address: 310 SW 16th Street, Chehalis, WA 98532

Chehalis-Payroll Specialist-District Office 2026-27