Manage daily payroll operations for timely, accurate pay; ensure federal, state, and union compliance; oversee tax filings (W-2, SUI), garnishments, reconciliations, timekeeping, process improvements, training, and internal controls while leading and coaching the payroll team.
** Applications will be received until July 8, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **
About this job:
Oversees daily payroll operations to ensure all district employees are paid on time and accurately. Prepares tax filings and assures the District is in federal, state, and union compliance. Focus includes semi-monthly and off cycle payroll processing, deduction and garnishment processing, employment verification, and employee inquiries and requests. Develops payroll processes, procedures and trainings.
What DPS Offers You:
- A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Salary Range $87,203 - $106,806. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles.
- In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.
What You'll Do:
- Manages the operations of the department to assure critical timelines are met; responsible for the effectiveness of the team
- Seeks for improvements in operational processes and design and implements workable solutions to business issues/problems with minimum referral to Director
- Develops and maintains data/information quality metrics to measure and validate improvements
- Partners with strategic stakeholders and subject matter experts related to district payroll integrated processes; provides technical/procedural assistance to staff and customers and trains and provides support on department procedures and policies
- Ensures legal compliance and adherence to district policies as well as federal, state, and local tax authorities
- Responsible for quarterly and yearly taxes and filings, including W2s and SUI reporting
- Conducts working planning, estimation, and prioritization to optimize performance of team and works with Director to define standards and reusable approaches for department operations
- Oversees reconciliation of district's employee overpayments and reporting of garnishment withholding and filing requirements
- Provides support for district time keeping software and maintains business requirements to ensure we are in compliant with federal, state, and union regulations
- Provides leadership for and oversight of district's payroll policies and procedures; develops and monitors internal controls
What You’ll Need:
- Bachelor's Degree - Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources or related field and/or Certified Payroll Professional Accreditation - Required
- Master's Degree - Preferred
- Three (3+) plus years of related experience in related field, including two years of supervisory responsibilities - Required
- Previous HRIS administration experience - Preferred
- Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations
- Strong organizational and analytic skills and strong attention to detail
- Superior leadership, coaching and mentoring skills
- Ability to develop and interpret data and manage resources
- Ability to motivate and influence others
- Ability to effectively lead a team
- Demonstrated proficiency with Google products including docs, sheets, slides and gmail
- Ability to multi-task and juggle management of several high-priority projects in parallel
- High degree of integrity in handling confidential information
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to lead a high-performing team
- Familiarity with ERP systems and time keeping systems
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
About UsDenver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.
DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.
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