Payroll Analyst
Location : Salem - Central Office
The Oregon Youth Authority is looking for a detail-oriented Payroll Analyst to join our Financial Services team in Salem. This position plays a vital role in ensuring that OYA's 1,100 employees across close custody facilities, parole and probation offices, and our Salem Central Office are paid accurately and on time. You will help process over $12 million in payroll monthly, support staff with payroll and benefits questions, and ensure compliance with state and federal rules, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
At OYA, our mission is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable while providing opportunities for reformation in safe, supportive environments. We believe in positive human development, cultural responsiveness, and equity in everything we do. By joining our team, you will help support a workforce that is dedicated to shaping brighter futures for Oregon's youth.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of historically marginalized communities, including people of color, women, and individuals with lived experience.
What You Will Be Doing :
- Process and audit payroll, benefits, and timekeeping in Workday, ensuring accuracy in employee pay, leave accruals, garnishments, and deductions.
- Interpret and apply payroll rules, laws, and collective bargaining agreements while providing excellent customer service to staff across the state.
- Support employee benefit programs (PEBB, PERS, COBRA, FMLA / OFLA, CBIW), including leave tracking, insurance enrollment, and retirement data.
- Provide training and assistance to staff and managers on the Workday payroll and time entry system, troubleshooting errors, and ensuring compliance with policy.
- Serve as a payroll subject matter expert and back-up lead analyst, coordinating special projects, resolving complex payroll issues, and supporting management with recommendations.
Additional Information :
Hybrid Telework : This position is required to work at the Salem Central Office 4 or more days a month depending on business needs.Limited Duration : This is a limited duration appointment that is expected to end on or before one (1) year of appointment. Limited duration appointments are benefits eligible and have a designated maximum length of service. This position has the potential to become permanent.This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill current and future vacancies.Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. For more information on pay equity, click here.The salary range listed is the non-PERS participating rate. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.This position receives annual increases on the anniversary date until the maximum of the salary range is reached.Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.Tentative Interview Dates :
Video interview : October 10, 2025In-person interview : October 16-17What You Need To Qualify :
Two years of experience in analyzing, calculating, recording, and maintaining routine financial information and must include accounting, data, or payroll processing; ORAt least 94 quarter (63 semester) credit hours or associates degree from an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school that includes 12 quarter (9 semester) hours in accounting, business, or finance; ORA Certified Payroll Professional's (CPP) certificate; OROne year of experience analyzing, calculating, recording, and maintaining routine financial information and must include accounting, data, or payroll processing; ANDAt least 43 quarter (29 semester) credit hours from an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school that includes 8 quarter (6 semester) hours in accounting, business, or finance; OROne year of experience analyzing, calculating, recording, and maintaining routine financial information and must include accounting, data, or payroll processing; ANDPayroll certification from an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical schoolTraining or experience must include using a computer to enter, update, or retrieve information. To receive credit for required courses, submit a photocopy of transcripts.
Desired Attributes / Application Scoring Criteria : In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use the attributes below to determine whom to interview.
Excellent customer service skills with the ability to clearly communicate payroll policies and technical information both orally and in writing.Demonstrated experience working with time entry in Workday Payroll for the State of Oregon.Knowledge and experience applying protected leave laws (FMLA, OFLA, Affordable Care Act).Strong ability to interpret and apply payroll rules, policies, collective bargaining agreements, and retirement benefit programs.Skill in identifying and resolving payroll errors, balancing accounts, and maintaining accurate records.Strong organizational and decision-making abilities, with a proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet strict deadlines.How To Apply :
Complete the application fully or upload a complete resume including dates of employment and duties / responsibilities of each position.Complete the questionnaire / supplemental questions.Cover Letter Required : In your cover letter, please describe your experiences, skills, and knowledge as they relate to the desired attributes under the 'What We Are Looking For' section of the announcement and explain why you are the best fit for this role. Please ensure it is in PDF format for accessibility.After you submit your application please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This step will come after you submit your application and will complete the process. If you are an employee, the tasks can be found in your Workday inbox. If you are a veteran, you may receive preference.Applications with generic cover letters may be considered nonresponsive and could eliminate the application from further consideration.
About OYA
The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is a national leader in the juvenile justice field, pioneering the implementation of a positive human development framework for its work with staff and youth, and using data to match the right youth with the right services. We seek to foster cultural competence and pursue equitable solutions to support youth under our care. Our agency mission is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments.
If you are looking to join a team that values individual and cultural differences and the opportunity to contribute in the success of youth reformation by enriching our workforce with diversity, OYA wants to hear from you! People of color, women and other members of historically underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply!
For more information please visit www.oregon.gov / oya.
Would you like to learn more about this position or how our application process works? Join our Recruitment team on Wednesday, September 17 during our OYA Career Chat Sessions. We can assist you with all your application and agency questions!
Join us this Wednesday from 11 : 00am-11 : 30am. Click Here to Register for OYA Career Chats!
What's in it for You?
OYA values our employees. We believe that your time outside of the workplace is as valuable as it is inside the workplace. We offer a great work / life balance with flexible work schedules on most positions and a competitive benefits package, including low-cost, high-coverage health insurance, generous time-off, and a competitive retirement plan.
This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU / OPEU). By joining and maintaining your membership with SEIU Local 503, the following benefits are available to you such as :
$2,500 life insurance policy paid for by your union, SEIU Local 503. This policy is in effect if you are an active member.Up to $200,000 of additional life insurance can be purchased. Up to $100,000 member life,