CSE Purchasing and Payroll Specialist

This is a temporary position for one year, with the possibility of extension depending on the needs of the college.

Description:
This position is a part of the College of Science and Engineering's Payroll and Purchasing Support Team, and duties will cover process management and coordination in both purchasing and payroll support as needed by the college.

In a purchasing capacity, this position may be responsible for receiving purchasing requests directly from employees within departments, ensuring the correct purchasing method is being used, corresponding with, and providing guidance to the requestor to resolve issues, and reviewing the request in terms of departmental and University policy and procedure before submitting the request to the University's financial operations team for entry into the financial system. This position will also include tracking and monitoring the progress of system statuses to ensure compliance with departmental and University deadlines as needed.

As a payroll specialist, this role may work directly within CSE departments to manage their internal payroll tasks and is responsible for tasks such as payroll on-boarding for new employees, I9 coordination, visa requests, coordinating appointments for graduate students and fellowships for each term, and reviewing payroll data on a regular basis.

Breakdown of Duties:
Purchasing (15-85%, depending on assignment)

• Management and review of ePurch tickets to include:
  • Appropriate purchasing method
  • Completeness (chart-field string, justification, purchase details)
  • Appropriate approvals have been received
  • Additional required forms completion
• TDX "Order Goods and Services" ticket submission to request purchasing entry by the FinOps team
• Non-employee expense reimbursements, to include:
  • Collection of receipts and any needed forms and documentation with the reimbursee
  • Coordination of approvals with departmental accounting staff
• PCard purchases on behalf of end users, including recurring PCard payments (e.g. cell phone plans, subscriptions, etc.) and ad hoc, as appropriate
• Point of contact for unit staff requesting purchases, to include:
  • ePurch training
  • Issue resolution
  • Consultation for purchasing policy and procedure, and appropriate purchasing method
• Point of contact for FinOps purchasing staff, Tax Management office, OGC, and other University offices, as the need arises through the purchasing process
• Point of contact for department accountants regarding purchases
• Attendance at unit finance staff meetings
• Monitor "Manage Requisitions" to ensure budget check completion and address returned requisitions
• Inbox management for unit purchasing email address
• Receipt entry in EFS
• Assist with vendor set up and supplier document preparation
• Coordinate creation of IT software and hardware quotes with CSE-IT as needed
• ePurch training and navigation guidance
• Purchasing training for new faculty and staff
• PCard transaction status monitoring/reporting to ensure timely reconciliation by FinOps

Additionally, some units may require support in the following areas:

• Check deposits
• Ad hoc Chrome River Navigator support
• Annual training for graduate students
• Non-PO voucher request submission

Payroll (15-85%, depending on assignment)

• Appointment coordination within the department, including direct collaboration with supervisors, faculty, accountants, and other administrative staff to hire employees across all job families, and modify/manage payroll appointments
  • For graduate appointments, this includes coordination with accountants, GPCs, and other faculty to determine the appropriate job code and percent appointments, and ensuring offer letters are sent pursuant to the GLU-UE contract
  • For faculty summer appointments, this includes coordinating with faculty and accountants to determine their percent appointment and appropriate distributions each pay period
  • For fellowships, this includes coordination with accountants, faculty, external fellowship providers, and various offices at the University (IBAF, provost's office,etc.) to determine appropriate fellowship placement
  • For staff hires, this includes coordinating with the employee and their supervisor to ensure personnel data is gathered and entered into the appropriate data management system
• Time and absence administration
• Payroll pre-confirmation report review
• Payroll verification report review
• Pay forms completion for: payroll updates, stop pay requests, overpayment corrections, and off-cycle check requests
• I9 verification
• TDX submission for the following ticket types to the University's HR-Ops center for processing:
  • Hire
  • End of Appointment
  • Mass Changes
  • Modify an Appointment
  • Person of Interest and UNS Fellowship
  • Update inactivated/suspended appointment
• Coordination of merit entry process to include faculty payroll actions (e.g. sabbaticals, return from SWB, etc.)
• Serve as point of contact for general employment questions from employees and supervisors within the department
• Serve as a point of contact for the PEAK central-ops payroll specialists
• HR approval of TDX tickets submitted by payroll coordinators, to include a review of:
  • Hiring approval
  • Salary approval
  • Approval for special pay scenarios
  • Completed I9 verification
  • That any required departmental approvals/reviews have been completed
  • That any collegiate review/approvals have been completed (remote work approval, concurrent GA/Fellowship approval form)
• Time and absence updates and exception reporting
• Appointment entry audits
• Expected job end date management
• I9 management
• Reporting, clean-up, and general data management

Additionally, some units may require support in the following areas:

• Offer letter creation for "unit-recruited" appointments (including graduate students)
• Visa management (under discussion)
• "Internal Billing Authorization" (FA864) forms for UNS fellowships
• "Graduate Assistant Health Plan Department Authorization Form" (GHAP) for fellowships
• TDX submission for the following ticket types:
  • Post: Coordinate with unit admin, CSE-HR, and supervisors to request position postings
  • Payroll Accounting: Determine the need for, and request, distribution and retro-distribution updates
• Complete and submit internal CSE approval request forms (as they exist in the future state):
  • Salary approval
  • Hiring approval
  • Concurrent GA/Fellowship approval form
  • Remote work approval form
• Background check TDX form submission for employees who need background checks not covered during the recruiting process
• Scholarship uploads

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years
• Must be able to pass competency-based testing upon completion of training.
• Documented problem-solving, attention to detail, and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Transactional experience in payroll, I9, or the J1/H1B visa application process in higher ed or similar industry
• Experience with payroll systems and complex payroll transaction processing.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience with the University's HRMS to include appointment entry.
• Experience with University payroll and budgets for a variety of appointments and funding sources.
• Experience with 9-over-12 appointments.
• Experience with Pcard reconciliation OR requisition processing.
• Knowledge of University policies, procedures, and systems.
• Ability to be highly organized, detailed-oriented, and capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) is ranked among the top engineering and science academic programs in the country. The college includes 12 academic departments offering a wide range of degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels.

For more information about the College of Science and Engineering Office of the Dean, visit https://cse.umn.edu/.

Pay Range: $25.49-$31.25 per hour ($53,019.20-$65,000 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).