Compensation Specialist

Compensation Specialist

Salary

$63,897.60 - $91,104.00 Annually

Location

Des Moines, IA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

S2012-X314 06.2026

Department

Human Resources

Division

HR001000 - Human Resources

Opening Date

06/17/2026

Closing Date

7/6/2026 4:00 PM Central

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Non

Occupational Group

Civil Service

Location of Vacancy

Human Resources

Recruitment

Entrance

Selection Method

Applicants deemed most qualified based on qualifications may be contacted for an interview. Qualified applicants who need a reasonable accommodation must inform this office at (515) 283-4213 or TTY at Iowa Relay at 711 or 1-800-735-2942 prior to closing date.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Distinguishing Features of the Class

The City of Des Moines is recruiting for a Compensation Specialist. Depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate, the position may be filled at one of two levels. Salary and job responsibilities will vary based on the level for which the candidate qualifies. Applicants are encouraged to review both job descriptions for additional details.

The primary responsibility of this position is processing the Citys bi-weekly payroll and ensuring payroll operations are completed accurately and efficiently. Additional duties, responsibilities, and compensation will vary based on the qualifications of the successful candidate and the position level to which they are appointed.

Compensation Specialist I : Non-Exempt Position, Hourly pay rate: $30.72 - $38.87

Compensation Specialist II: Exempt Position, Annual pay rate: $71,906 - $91,104

The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Residency Incentive Program
• Alternative Work Schedule Options
• Paid Volunteer Time-Off
• Parental Leave
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance
• Wellness Programs and Activities
• Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan through IPERS
• Deferred Compensation Plan with City Match up to 2.5%
• Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options
• Employee Discount Program

Acceptable Experience and Training

Compensation Specialist I

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associates Degree in Finance, Accounting or a related field; and
• Considerable (3 Years) experience in enterprise payroll and benefit systems; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Compensation Specialist II

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's Degree in Finance, Accounting or a related field; and
• Substantial (5 Years) experience in enterprise payroll; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Required Special Qualifications

• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

Compensation Specialist I

• Coordinates and processes the City-wide bi-weekly payroll process.
• Receives payroll authorization forms from City departments, employees, and vendors (i.e. W-4, direct deposit, deferred compensation, etc.), reviews them for accuracy and adherence to policies, and makes updates as necessary.
• Updates all changes into employee files based on information from payroll authorizations.
• Prints final payroll checks, sorts and distributes accordingly and secures authorized signature as receipt.
• Maintains payroll and employee benefit files, including confidential personnel matters and other information deemed public domain, maintaining the responsibility to release only the appropriate information.

Compensation Specialist II

• Performs duties of Compensation Specialist I.
• Plans, organizes and directs functional activities related to maintenance and operation of the human resources and payroll functions of the Citys ERP System.
• Serves as lead for payroll functions.
• Acts as liaison between payroll, Information Technology (IT) and end-user departments to ensure understanding and implementation of payroll system requirements and revisions.

Shared Responsibilities

• Complies with State and Federal regulations.
• Responds to other employers requests for information on employees records, such as length of employment with the City, and other releasable public information.
• Collects, compiles and interprets data for records and reports as required by state and federal law.
• Resolves discrepancies and problems arising from payroll processing procedures.
• Oversees and processes IRS levies, payroll garnishments, child support garnishments and related financial deductions from employee pay.
• Runs bi-weekly vendor reports to submit with payroll vendor payments.
• Processes W-2 and 1095 forms and oversees withholding of all taxes.
• Processes completion of all official records associated with the hiring, termination and/or retirement of an employee.
• Prepares special reports on payroll activities as directed.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.
• Assists timekeepers as needed and loads time entry batches.
• Enters specialty pays and prior pay period adjustments and completes off-cycle payrolls when needed.
• Completes IPERS qualification and adjustment reporting.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Responds to citizens and employees questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

Click here for Benefit Summary

01

I understand that such responses as "see resume", "see application", etc. to the following supplemental questions are not acceptable. Responses must be thorough, clear and concise to receive credit.

• Yes
• No

02

Have you graduated from an accredited college or university with an Associates Degree in Finance, Accounting or a related field or higher education level? If yes, submittal of college transcripts is required by application deadline to receive credit. Please submit to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department; electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1200 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309 by the application deadline date.

• Yes
• No

03

I understand that college transcripts are required by the application deadline. If substituting education for years of experience, FAILURE TO SUBMIT REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION MAY CAUSE APPLICATION DISQUALIFICATION.

• I understand college transcripts are required by the application deadline.
• I do not have college transcripts to provide.

04

Describe your experience in processing payroll. Include in your response the employer(s), size of the organization and employment dates.

05

Describe the software you have used to process payroll and your role in utilizing the software. Include in your response the employer(s), size of the organization and employment dates.

Required Question

Employer City of Des Moines

Address 1200 Locust St.

Des Moines, Iowa, 50309

Phone (515) 283-4213

Website http://www.dsm.city