Payroll Technician I

Payroll

Job # 554968

Close Date: March 5, 2026

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future. 

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

(Job # 554968) Payroll Technician I, Payroll Tech I, Salary Range: $3,738 (Step 1) - $5,446 (Step 20), Anticipated Hiring Range: $3,738 (Step 1) - $4,210 (Step 7). Final salary placement is commensurate with experience, internal equity, and budget considerations. This is a full-time, benefited, non-exempt, 12-month, permanent position, with a one-year probationary period in the Payroll Department. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 15 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits.

Position Summary:

Incumbent initiates, processes and completes routine payroll and related personnel transaction documents for specific categories of Cal Poly Humboldt employees. Incumbent ensures that all information on these transaction documents are accurate and conform to all relevant regulations. Incumbent provides information and assistance on payroll processing matters to faculty, staff, student and auxiliary employees.

Key Responsibilities:

Student Payroll Processing – 35%

Responsible for processing all student classified payroll. This includes adherence to all state, CSU and union established policies and procedures. This task handles the entire cycle from the management of appointment documents within Content, dual keying of onboarding documents collected via Human Resources. Double checking that all required documentation has been obtained and is valid for employee status. Reviews and audits all-time entry on a monthly basis, contacting department coordinators when there are errors and following through until a resolve is reached. Completes the life cycle of the payment from entry to upload to payment reconciliation and delivery of warrants to the cashiering office for distribution. Monitor hours worked by students in compliance with regulation that students not exceed 20 hours of work a week while classes are in session.

Academic Student Appointment Processing – 15%

Responsible for coordinating with Payroll Tech II in the review and appointing of all contractual data pushed to payroll via Academic Personnel Services (APS) for the Teaching Assistant and Graduate Assistant academic student employees. This includes adherence to all state, CSU and union established policies and procedures in regard to these two classes of employees. Completes the life cycle of the payment from entry to upload to payment reconciliation and delivery of warrants to the cashiering office for distribution.

Data Processing - Onboarding Documents – 30%

This position is the primary processor for all onboarding documents collected from Human Resources. This includes SPARS, EARS both new and updated, EIF’s, I-9 documents. Will flag for the initial check of all non-resident onboarding documentation to be passed for more detailed inspection to the SR payroll technician III for full tax analysis. Information must be entered and maintained in three distinct programs. Content document manager, PeopleSoft HRIS system and PIMS, the State Controller’s Office official system of record. In addition, this position is the main processor for all direct deposit initiation and changes. Keeping up to date with the most current fraud protection policies and procedures outlined by both the CSU, SCO and campus IT security.

Parking Deduction – Accounts Receivable Management & Support – 5%

This position will work closely with Student Financial Services for the initial set up, change, termination, refund and collection of retro automatic Parking Deductions per union and campus regulations. In addition, this position will be assisting the management of all campus and state Accounts Receivables established by our Benefits & Payroll staff.

General Office Support Front Desk Management - 10%

This position functions as our primary point of initial contact for all phone, email and foot traffic within the Payroll/Benefits office suite. This requires a cursory understanding of all aspects of payroll in order to answer general questions, concerns and basic explanation of all pay and remunerations. In addition, this position will be well versed in understanding where to direct calls for questions that require a subject matter expert.

Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

Included but not limited to vacation and sick coverage for payroll tech II as well as impromptu projects and data gathering.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

As listed in Classification Standards:

• Ability to acquire working knowledge of, and independently select and apply, CSU policies, procedures, programs, guidelines, applicable state and federal laws, educational codes, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to, or acquire the skill to, use web browsers, electronic calendaring programs, ERP/HRIS, and data management systems.
• Ability to audit and reconcile data; interpret and apply written rules and regulations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; exercise tact, courtesy and good judgment in responding to others; use current computer word processing and spreadsheet software programs; perform mathematical calculations; accurately enter data; follow oral and written instructions; communicate effectively with others; and read and write at a level appropriate to the position.

PREFERRED skills, knowledge, and abilities required for this position:

• Current computer word processing and spreadsheet software programs, web browsers, electronic calendaring programs, ERP/HRIS, and data management systems. Bonus if familiar with Kronos/UKG, PIMS, PeopleSoft.

Minimum Qualifications:

Equivalent to one year of general administrative experience in payroll and human resources recordkeeping and data entry.

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on March 5, 2026.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude, we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long-lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Humboldt complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.  Cal Poly Humboldt is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly Humboldt, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

Class Code: 1100
Publication Date: 02/19/2026