Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

Salary

$59,987.00 Annually

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Grant-funded Full-time

Job Number

16810

Department

Juvenile Probation Department

Division

Administration Services

Opening Date

06/12/2026

Closing Date

7/12/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

About Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD)

Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) is the third-largest juvenile justice agency in the country and the second-largest department in Harris County, employing over 1,200 professionals dedicated to youth justice transformation and reform. HCJPD is committed to improving outcomes for youth, reducing racial disproportionality, and ensuring a safe environment for both staff and residents. We continuously innovate by implementing systemic changes to lower detention populations and promote positive youth development.

About the Human Resources (HR) Division:

The Human Resources (HR) division provides overall policy direction on human resources management and administrative support to all staff. It oversees various actions to develop the human capital and talent of Harris County Juvenile Probation (HCJPD). This division is responsible for recruitment, hiring, benefits, compensation, organizational development, employee relations and training. HR plays a strategic role in business management and the fostering of a positive workplace culture, which contributes significantly to HCJPD's overall success.

Position Overview:

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for managing and executing all aspects of the payroll process, including ensuring compliance with payroll laws and regulations, verifying that employees are paid on time and correctly, maintaining and updating employee payroll records, handling and resolving payroll-related inquiries from employees, validating and confirming reports, and by providing exceptional service to employees regarding payroll matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Processes bi-weekly payroll accurately and on time for all employees in the department, including coordinating, entering and submitting payroll for employees, as needed.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and county payroll laws and regulations.
• Resolves payroll discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information.
• Communicates with managers for any missed times or payroll issues.
• Handles and resolves payroll-related inquiries from employees.
• Processes all paperwork associated with hiring, salary, and position changes.
• Visit residential facilities to address employee payroll inquiries and provide updates on payroll policies and procedures.
• Tracks attendance for Residential Services and files payroll records.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or emailADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

Requirements

All applicants must register and take the HRT Clerical Skills Test and score a minimum of 85%.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx/jobs/998426/hrt-clerical-skills-test

Please see testing instructions in the General Information section below.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent with a minimum of

• Two (2) years of progressive work experience in payroll processing (as a payroll specialist).

• Thirty (30) hours of education from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrate proficient use of the personal computer by passing the clerical exam with a score of at least 85%.

• Proficient use of the county payroll system.

• Working knowledge of county, state and federal payroll regulations.

• Broad working knowledge of divisional and departmental policies and procedures.

• Able to effectively communicate payroll matters to members of the management team and department administration.

• Must be 21 years of age.

Additional Requirements:

• Upon receiving a conditional job offer, all applicants must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening.
• All employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, as well as testing based on reasonable suspicion that the employee may be under the influence of a substance prohibited by the county's drug and alcohol policy during the course and scope of employment.
• In the event of a public emergency declared by the county, staff may be assigned to other duties, facilities, or departments under the supervision of another county department.
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
• Employees in this position must possess and maintain a valid Texas Drivers license and maintain liability insurance coverage at least equal to the minimum amounts required by law.
• Certified copies of educational transcripts and/or college credits will be required during the hiring process.
• This position involves working with challenging youth where the use of crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies may be necessary to ensure the safety of both youth and staff.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

• Experience with time clock software, such as IntelliTime, is preferred.

General Information

Register Online for the HRT Clerical Skills Test using the following link:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx/jobs/998426/hrt-clerical-skills-test

• Click the above link to the HRT Clerical Skills Test registration page.
• Click on "Apply" to submit your request for testing.
• You will receive a test invitation and instructions via e-mail within 48 hours.
• You will have no more than 5 business days to access and complete testing.
• Your score will be automatically uploaded to your application.
• The test may be taken once every 30 days.
• Most recent test scores are retained for up to 6 months.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Grant-funded Full-time | On-site Position

• Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

• Hours may vary based on the needs of the department.

Salary:

• $59,987.00 Annually

Open Position Location:

• Human Resources (1200 Congress)

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*
• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the Countys behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed?

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency
• Some college (at least 30 hours)
• Associates degree or higher
• None of the above

02

Which of the following best describes your verifiable years of progressive work experience in payroll processing (as a payroll specialist)? To be considered, qualifying experience MUST be documented in your applications employment history)

• Less than one (1) full year
• One (1) year but less than two (2) years
• Two (2) years but less than three (3) years
• Three (3) years but less than four (4) years
• Four (4) or more years
• I do not have this experience

03

Do you have experience with time clock software, such as IntelliTime?

• Yes
• No

04

In which of the following areas do you have experience? Select all that apply.

• Processing new hire paperwork
• Entering and submitting payroll for a department or division
• Filing payroll records
• Collecting, analyzing and reporting data
• Resolving payroll discrepancies
• None of the above

05

Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Basic
• Entry Level
• Not proficient

06

Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No

07

This position requires possession of a valid Texas-issued drivers license upon the start date. Do you currently have a valid Texas Drivers License?

• Yes
• No, but eligible to obtain by start date
• No, not eligible to obtain licensure

Required Question

Employer Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx