Job Details

Join to apply for the Senior Payroll Specialist role at Berkeley Lab.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Senior Payroll Specialist within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. We are seeking a highly detail-oriented, reliable, and experienced payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines. The successful candidate will report to the Payroll Lead and be responsible for executing and managing complex payroll functions, developing, implementing, and enforcing payroll processes, timekeeping policies and procedures, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and University of California regulations.

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on. Our organization is associated with 17 Nobel Prizes and is dedicated to advancing scientific solutions worldwide.

Benefits

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension and 401(k)-style plans
• Opportunities for career growth—check out our Tuition Assistance Program
• A culture where you'll belong—our team is invested in each other
• Accrued vacation and sick time, plus a Winter Holiday shutdown every year
• Parental bonding leave for both mothers and fathers
• Pet insurance

You Will

• Oversee, execute, and monitor payroll transactions, processes, and systems to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Reconcile biweekly and monthly payrolls to corresponding UCPath invoices and the general ledger
• Research, analyze, and resolve discrepancies and reconciliations in system outputs and reconciliations
• Develop and implement solutions for complex payroll issues through detailed evaluation and analysis
• Collaborate with Human Resources and the UCPath Service Center to resolve sensitive and complex employee inquiries
• Manage AskUs tickets and liaise between employees and the UCPath Center for escalated issues
• Use computer databases (e.g., PeopleSoft FMS) to analyze complex financial data and work with programmers to create custom reports; prepare regular, non-standard, and ad hoc reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Oversee monthly and year-end payroll close activities
• Coordinate the processing of fringe benefits and imputed income
• Reconcile quarterly 941 reporting and year-end W-2 reporting
• Conduct system testing for payroll-related applications, including the Lab Employee Time System (LETS) and UCPath

We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent training and experience with a minimum of 3 years payroll processing experience
• Comprehensive understanding of payroll practices, tax regulations, and compliance requirements
• Experience developing and implementing policies and procedures; confident in owning processes and acting as a resource
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines; excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Handle confidential information with utmost discretion and security
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Hands‑on experience with HRIS systems, preferably PeopleSoft
• Advanced proficiency in Excel for data analysis (including pivot tables, V‑lookups, etc.)
• CPP certification preferred

Additional Information

• Application deadline: 11/30/25 — priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by this date. Applications will be accepted until the posting is removed.
• Appointment type: Full‑time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay
• Salary range: $102,946.00 to $120,103.00 annually, commensurate with qualifications, experience, skills, and certifications.
• Background check: The position requires a background check; convictions that directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements may be considered.
• Work modality: Hybrid schedule—teleworking and on‑site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA). Employees must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab and present a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification to access sites.

Want to learn more? Visit careers.lbl.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. In accordance with State and Federal law, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. The University of California undertakes affirmative action and anti‑discrimination efforts consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist must disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years related to misconduct, investigations, or appeals with a previous employer.