Senior Help Desk Specialist

Department

F&A FIN - Payroll Compliance

About the Department

The primary goal of Financial Services is to support the core mission of the University through exemplary fiscal stewardship. Our services and programs are geared toward providing our customers outstanding response and service while fulfilling compliance and fiduciary obligations. Among many duties, Financial Services has responsibility for accounting and financial reporting; cash, endowment, and debt management; payroll; sponsored award accounting; and purchasing and paying for goods and services.

Job Summary

Under general supervision, performs payroll and HRIS-related payroll activities requiring strong analytical ability and understanding of payroll processes, time tracking, and compliance requirements. Reviews time tracking, absence and payroll inputs for accuracy and completeness prior to processing. Analyzes payroll and time-related data, identifies discrepancies, and resolves issues by determining root causes rather than applying one-off fixes.

Responsibilities

• Oversees pre- and post-payroll audit processes to ensure accurate processing of biweekly and monthly payrolls for academic, staff, and student employees. Analysis includes identifying underpayments, overpayments, and inconsistencies driven by compensation, time tracking, absence, and payroll inputs.
• Reviews and validates payroll-related payment requests to ensure required documentation is present, such as W-9s, receipts, business purpose; and payments meet internal and external policy and tax compliance requirements prior to processing.
• Analyzes Workday Time Tracking and Absence data to ensure proper flow into payroll results.
• Responds to and resolves payroll-related inquiries from faculty, staff, and administrators, with a focus on identifying root causes of issues rather than applying transactional fixes.
• Provides guidance to departments on payment processing requirements, documentation standards, and proper time and absence entry to reduce recurring errors.
• Runs audit and validation reports to identify issues early in the payroll cycle.
• Supports payroll adjustments and corrections, including off-cycle payments and mass updates where appropriate.
• Cross-trains on specialized payroll functions, such as foreign tax, independent contractor payments, student payments, to provide backup support as needed.
• Must be able to work varied schedules to meet payroll processing deadlines.
• With limited direction from others, performs a variety of IT support activities for end-user hardware/software resolution, and guides end-users through troubleshooting procedures. Uses fundamental knowledge of University software systems to recommend system modifications to reduce user problems. Simulates or recreates a range of straightforward user problems to resolve operating difficulties. Performs analyses and assists in a variety of IT support activities including, but not limited to, developing troubleshooting scripts for the help desk; and providing technical assistance in setup, installation, and configuration of desktop hardware and software in compliance with internal controls, policies, and standards.
• Coordinates and implements updates to network hardware, software systems, and applications. Maintains currency and high level of technical skill in the IT support field. Refers more complex problems to the Supervisor. Researches and analyzes computer products and systems available in the marketplace and makes recommendations to management.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

• --

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Degree in accounting, business administration, information systems, or a related field.

Experience:

• Background in payroll, HRIS, and time-tracking, or a related analytical role.
• Working with timekeeping systems and payroll interaction.
• Reviewing transactions for compliance, documentation, and policy alignment.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Information Technology

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Range

$26.75 - $34.50

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.