PRINCIPAL PAYROLL CLERK / CLERK 3

Code: 04939 Unknown Unknown

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under general supervision of a Supervisory Payroll Clerk or other supervisor, performs complex and highly responsible clerical work involved in and relating to the review, verification, and preparation of payroll or personnel records which require the frequent exercise of independent judgment, and/or supervises a small group of clerical workers in a payroll or payroll and personnel unit; does related work as required.

Under direction, performs varied, complex clerical work involving the processing of documents in a variety of functions; takes the lead and/or performs the more difficult and complex clerical work; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Assigns and instructs individuals and groups engaged in payroll or personnel activities and supervises the performance of their work.
• Reviews and checks payroll or payroll and personnel records, statements, documents, certificates, or time and attendance records.
• Prepares regular, supplemental, and overtime payrolls, adds or deletes employees, makes other appropriate changes including union deductions, taxes, charities, pension, and so forth.
• Processes pension membership applications, beneficiary changes, retirement, and loan applications as well as health insurance applications and changes.
• Completes unemployment requests for wage and separation information.
• Computes overtime, emergency rates, and leaves of absence requiring the interpretation and application of relevant rules and regulations.
• Personally receives, reviews, and checks regular and supplemental paychecks from centralized payroll and separates by payroll and region prior to distribution.
• Prepares and processes personnel and/or payroll forms with responsibility for ensuring that all pertinent information has been included and is accurate and ensures that all applicable rules, regulations, and procedures are adhered to.
• Reviews the work of the unit.
• Works with and advises department employees.
• Keeps the supervisor and/or management informed of relevant deadlines, changes in rules and regulations, and related pertinent information.
• Assists the professional staff in the development of new and revised personnel and/or payroll policies and procedures.
• Makes initial determination and correct application of a variety of pay schedules, grades, and rates of pay involving the interpretation and application of related rules, regulations, and instructions relating to varied types of nonstandard pay actions and pay plans.
• Consults with representatives of the Department of the Treasury or other outside agencies to exchange information and discuss problems related to payroll rules and standards.
• Assists employees in completing and processing forms and applications relating to retirement, insurance, payroll deductions, and record changes.
• Keeps abreast of changes in rules and regulations.
• Operates various office machines.
• Maintains and ensures the confidentiality of essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Interprets and applies organizational rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Receives, screens, reviews and verifies documents.
• May take the lead over clerical staff.
• May provide assignment, instruction, and on-the-job training to clerical staff.
• Reviews and checks assigned reports, applications, and other documents for corrections and completeness; refers the more complex problems to supervisor for resolution.
• Opens, time stamps, sorts, numbers, and distributes mail.
• Maintains prepared mailing lists.
• Sorts, indexes, and files checks, cash stubs, vouchers, requisitions and other materials numerically, alphabetically, or according to other predetermined classification, and maintains such files.
• Receives applications, documents, forms and fees; screens, sorts and assembles this information for further processing.
• May wrap packages for shipment by mail or express.
• Assembles materials for distribution.
• Hand stamps letters, papers, and other documents.
• Fills in and checks form letters, circulars, and forms as directed.
• Compiles information and/or numerical data.
• Provides information in person and over the telephone.
• May enter and/or retrieve information on a computer terminal.
• May occasionally perform keyboarding/typing duties, but not as the primary function of the position.
• Stores and distributes office supplies.
• Prepares and verifies payrolls and makes simple arithmetic calculations.
• Schedules administrative proceedings; may process requests for scheduling changes.
• May participate in the interviewing and training of new employees.
• Receives, logs in and reviews permit applications for completeness and accuracy; issues permits for construction, repair, installation, and demolition operations.
• Coordinates the scheduling of various activities for a park, recreational site, school district or other government entity.
• May transfer information onto forms, form letters, cards, envelopes, labels, charts and transmittals.
• When assigned to a court, prepares the docket (or schedule) of cases to be called and contact witnesses, attorneys, and other parties to collect or provide information; calls court to order, administers oaths to jurors, witnesses, court officers and others, announces postponements, and adjourns court; assists the judge both on the bench and in the chambers.
• When assigned to a tax office, computes and record tax payments.
• When assigned to a finance or tax office, may perform specialized clerical work involving the preparation and maintenance of assessment rolls and records.
• When assigned personnel duties, processes personnel action forms, maintains personnel records and gathers sensitive or confidential information or data.
• When assigned to a hospital, health care, or long-term care facility, may interview patients or relatives of patients to obtain admission information; performs other clerical functions involving the admission of patients.
• When assigned to a finance office, may perform specialized clerical work involving the cancelation of mortgages.
• When assigned to a Sheriff's Office, may perform specialized clerical work involved in the advertising and sale of real estate and chattel.
• Prepares reports or assists in the preparation of reports by gathering data, tabulating results, and/or preparing charts.
• Operates various types of office and mail processing machines such as a keyboard equipment, calculators, computer printers, sorter, photo-copier, fax machine, stamping machine, labeling machine, etc.; may perform simple maintenance tasks such as adding toner, paper or changing ribbons.
• Maintains records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in work involving payroll processing or personnel work.

Two (2) years of experience in clerical work; one (1) year of which must have been perfoming duties at or equivalent to the Clerk 2 level.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of modern office methods, practices, routines, and equipment.
• Knowledge of relevant rules and regulations concerning salary increments, bonuses, and authorized deductions.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply rules and regulations in accord with established procedures and policies of the unit.
• Ability to accurately prepare detailed, technical, and confidential payroll forms and documents.
• Ability to assign and instruct individuals and groups engaged in the payroll and/or personnel work of the unit with that of other units in the department and with outside agencies.
• Ability to make mathematical calculations.
• Ability to check and verify payroll, overtime, and supplemental payments.
• Ability to consult with representatives of the Department of the Treasury or other state and municipal agencies to exchange information and discuss problems related to payroll rules and regulations.
• Ability to use various office machines.
• Ability to maintain confidential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODE: 2/09/2013
• <b>CLERK 3</b>
• Knowledge of office routines, equipment, and practices.
• Knowledge of organizational rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to comprehend established office routines and department regulations.
• Ability to organize assigned clerical work and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to take the lead over lower level clerical staff.
• Ability to assign work, instruct and provide on-the-job training to clerical staff.
• Ability to make simple arithmetic calculations and tabulations.
• Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written directions.
• Ability to perform tasks accurately within prescribed time frames.
• Ability to work effectively with associates, superior officials, and members of the public concerned with the work of the department.
• Ability to sort, index, file, and pull varied types of materials using an established filing system.
• Ability to operate and perform routine maintenance on office machines and other equipment.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units after a period of training.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known abilities. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODE: 6/07/2011
• <b>DUAL TITLE CODE: </b>

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Incumbents may be required to utilize keyboard equipment to input and/or retrieve information on a computer console, typewriter or other key entry device used by the agency. Keyboarding/typing duties may or may not be assigned depending on the needs of the employing agency. Incumbents are not expected to perform keyboarding/typing tasks with the speed and accuracy required of a Keyboarding Clerk.

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Positions in this title perform varied, complex clerical work requiring knowledge of the organization's rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Employees frequently exercise independent judgment and make decisions concerning processes to be followed, the appropriateness of the information to be processed, and the actions to be taken. Work is performed independently requiring minimal review upon completion.

Positions reside in various State and local government departments/ agencies and may perform clerical tasks specific in a County or Municipal department/agency (e.g. municipal courts, libraries, election offices, tax collection/assessment, code enforcement, administrative or personnel offices, hospitals, recreation offices, and other regulatory agencies.)

<b>NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills.

Bilingual in Spanish and English. SPECIAL SKILL</b> Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.