The Role
Processes payroll for assigned schools and departments, including employee transactions, time cards, contract pay, leave management, audits, corrections, overpayments, garnishments, and tax adjustments. Investigates discrepancies, maintains payroll data integrity, advises employees and school leaders, collaborates with HR and Finance, and supports payroll system improvements, testing, transitions, and training.
Summary Generated by Built In
** Applications will be received until November 13, 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:
Payroll activities for an assigned number of schools and departments with minimal guidance and a high degree of independence. Processes all employee transactions, employee time cards, contract pay module, health leave management, and payroll processing for all district employees. Partnering with school leaders with regards to employee transactions and processing, including coordinating with other departments to ensure payroll data is correct and accurate for processing. Completes post payroll auditing, payroll corrections and overpayment processing.
What DPS Offers You:
- A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Salary Range: $57,069 - $68,484/annually. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles.
- This position is represented by an employee association (bargaining unit). Please see the Employee Associations Page for the current master agreement and important documents associated with your bargaining unit.
- In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement. For more information visit our New Employee Resources.
What You'll Do:
- Performs independent analysis of payroll data and applies judgment to identify, correct, and prevent payroll errors across assigned employee groups
- Control payroll data integrity by performing daily audits of employee records and time card transactions. Proactively collaborate with Human Resources, Benefits, Compensation, and Finance teams to research, resolve, and correct discrepancies across systems
- Serve as a subject matter expert for issue resolution, handle employee pay concerns, overpayments, garnishments, and tax adjustments while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with labor laws and district procedures. Responds to employee inquiries by interpreting pay calculations, explaining complex procedures, and ensuring clear communication of payroll policies
- Act as a liaison between schools, central office, and cross-functional teams to provide guidance and expertise in payroll matters, promoting operational consistency and high-quality customer service
- Analyze and implement process improvements within payroll operations, contributing to ongoing system optimization, data accuracy, and efficiency across departments
- Conduct post-payroll audits and prepare adjustments, off-cycle corrections, and manual transactions to ensure financial integrity and accuracy of employee payments. Analyze pay discrepancies to determine root causes and apply corrective actions using payroll processing system
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll systems, laws, and best practices, serving as a subject matter expert and supporting payroll-related projects, including system transitions, testing, and training
- Other duties as assigned
What You’ll Need:
- High School Diploma/GED required
- Associate's Degree in Accounting or related field preferred
- Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible experience, in payroll administration and processing, preferably within a large school district or public sector employer
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) designation is desired but not required
- 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 Us
With 193 schools, over 89,000 students and over 10,000 staff members, Denver Public Schools is the largest urban school district in Colorado. We’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re-focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon. Visit the Denver Public Schools website for more information.
Skills Required
- High School Diploma or GED
- Associate's Degree in Accounting or a related field
- Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in payroll administration and processing
- Experience within a large school district or public sector employer
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) designation
- Permanent home address in Colorado while working for Denver Public Schools
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the position with or without accommodations
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The Company
What We Do
The mission of Denver Public Schools is to provide all students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing citizens in our diverse society. In DPS, we’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re-focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon. In the last ten years, DPS has experienced unprecedented growth and an expansion of programs. Building on the strong progress we’ve made, we want to continue transforming DPS into a school district grounded in equity. This districtwide focus on equity will be embedded in everything we do, so that we can help break historical patterns and become a school district that is designed to inspire every student to dream big and make their own future. View all of our current career openings here: https://careers.dpsk12.org/
