Payroll Clerk

We are looking for a Payroll Clerk to support accurate and timely payroll operations for a busy Human Resources team in Salinas, California. This Long-term Contract position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, organized, and confident handling sensitive employee information while working through payroll questions and recordkeeping needs. The person in this role will partner closely with payroll leadership to help maintain compliance, resolve issues efficiently, and keep payroll data current across routine transactions and reporting activities.

Responsibilities:
• Manage payroll processing activities for employees across multiple states while following applicable federal and state regulations.
• Review and handle wage garnishments, employment verification requests, and related payroll documentation with accuracy and discretion.
• Serve as a point of contact for payroll-related questions, researching issues and providing clear, timely responses to employees and internal stakeholders.
• Enter and update payroll data in company systems to support personnel changes, earnings, deductions, and other administrative payroll actions.
• Assist with payroll reviews and audit activities by preparing records, validating data, and helping identify discrepancies.
• Maintain organized payroll files, reports, and supporting documentation while safeguarding confidential employee information.
• Generate and update payroll reports to support compliance, record retention, and departmental tracking needs.
• Contribute to additional payroll or administrative tasks as business needs require.• At least 1 year of payroll-related experience, with 3 or more years strongly preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, including pivot tables and commonly used formulas.
• Experience with payroll and accounting systems; familiarity with ADP, Ceridian, Dayforce, About Time, Workday, or similar platforms is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, stay organized, and produce accurate work in a deadline-driven environment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally across teams.
• Solid problem-solving ability and strong attention to detail when reviewing payroll data and resolving discrepancies.
• Bilingual skills are a plus, along with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times.