Senior Payroll Specialist

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Senior Payroll Specialist within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. We are seeking a highly detail-oriented, reliable, and experienced payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines. Reporting to the Payroll Lead, the Senior Payroll Specialist will be responsible for executing and managing complex payroll functions, including the development, implementation, and enforcement of payroll processes, timekeeping policies and procedures, in compliance with federal, state and University of California regulations.

We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• Opportunities to grow in your career - check out our Tuition Assistance Program 
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams! 
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
• Pet insurance

You will:

• Oversee, execute, and monitor payroll transactions, processes, and systems to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Reconcile biweekly and monthly payrolls to corresponding UCPath invoices and the general ledger.
• Independently research, analyze, and resolve discrepancies and reconciling items in system outputs and reconciliations.
• Develop and implement solutions to complex payroll issues through detailed evaluation and analysis.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and the UCPath Service Center to resolve sensitive and complex employee inquiries.
• Manage AskUs tickets and serve as a liaison between employees and the UCPath Center for escalated issues.
• Use computer databases (e.g., PeopleSoft FMS) to analyze complex financial data, working with programmers to create and develop custom reports. Prepare regular, non-standard, and ad hoc reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee monthly and year-end payroll close activities.
• Coordinate the processing of fringe benefits and imputed income.
• Reconcile quarterly 941 reporting and year-end W-2 reporting.
• Conduct system testing for payroll-related applications, including the Lab Employee Time System (LETS) and UCPath.

We are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent training and experience with a minimum of 3 years payroll processing experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of payroll practices, tax regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures.  Confident in owning processes and acting as a resource for others.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently within tight deadlines.  Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
• Handle confidential information with the utmost discretion and security.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Hands-on experience with HRIS systems, preferably PeopleSoft. 
• Advanced proficiency in Excel for data analysis (including but not limited to Pivot Tables, V-lookups).
• CPP certification preferred.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by 11/30/25. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary range: Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and also aligned with the internal peer group. The budgeted annual salary range is $102,946.00 to $120,103.00.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule - a combination of teleworking and performing work on site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.