Payroll Technician 2/3

Overview

This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place on January 15, 2026.

The salary range for this position is dependent upon qualifications, classification, and internal equities and is as follows:

PR Tech II - $24.00 - $27.68

PR Tech III - $28.25 - $31.50

This position works a hybrid schedule of two in-office days per week. 

Established in 1943, the mission of the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is to support the research objectives of San Diego State University by helping faculty and staff find, obtain, and administer funding for their research and sponsored programs. SDSU is one of the top public research universities in the nation, furthering discoveries, interventions, and solutions that improve communities and change the world. SDSURF provides the full life cycle of grants services to faculty and staff to further their important work.

Our vision is to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration with integrity and respect for individuals that results in the delivery of superior service to support the university’s strategic aspirations.

Our core values:

Service: We are a service organization that strives to provide superior support to the university community to achieve SDSU’s goals; we are committed to being professionally competent by setting high standards and working hard to achieve results; and we continually seeking to improve our skills and capabilities by valuing education and professional development.

Collaboration: We seek to actively engage with our stakeholders and employees to identify issues and design solutions, build strong relationships grounded in trust, openness, and inclusion and achieve the best results by taking pride in the accomplishments of our colleagues.

Innovation: We work towards inspired solutions to improve and adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges, creative ways to streamline and enhance our delivery of services through resourceful and proactive problem solving and strategic use of technology and reduction of obstacles.

Respect: We promote a culture where every individual is valued and treated with dignity, we honor open-mindedness toward different viewpoints and ideas and have a genuine appreciation for varied backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking.

Integrity: We are committed to act with the highest ethical standards, with honesty, integrity, and transparency, provide consistent and accurate information and value and respect all individuals.

WHAT OUR DEPARTMENT DOES

The Payroll Department is responsible for managing SDSU Research Foundation’s payroll systems and ensuring that employees are paid on time and accurately, while ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and policies.

Responsibilities

YOUR ROLE IN CREATING THE UNIVERSITY’S PRESENT AND FUTURE

Providing excellent payroll service for all SDSU Research Foundation employees, including projects, KPBS, Extended Studies and Campanile Foundation staff.

THE WORK YOU WILL DO AND MANAGE

• Processing semi-monthly payroll of roughly 2,000 employees twice a month.
• Processing data changes (W-4 information, direct deposit, address changes in banner system.
• Assist in software testing and report writing.
• Perform payroll audits and compliance checks.
• Assist in additional audits, non-resident compliance and processing.
• Various other tasks as assigned.
• Perform general office duties (incoming mail, employee email requests and questions, verifications of employment).

Qualifications

THE SKILLS WE NEED

• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and practices pertaining to payroll, time reporting and benefit plans.
• Knowledge of computing skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of and understanding of tax deductions and paid time off accruals.
• Ability to interpret payroll policies and procedures to employees through instructions, procedures, or other means.
• Ability to establish and maintain strict confidentiality of personnel and payroll documents and records.
• Ability to work under pressure and can prioritize the workload to meet payroll deadlines.
• Ability to review payroll documents for accuracy, completeness, validity, and adherence to standards.
• Ability to learn the Banner finance system, Workforce, and additional systems as it relates to payroll.
• Ability to work well in a team environment to expedite audits needed for payroll and tax preparation.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills to interact with administrators, faculty, staff, and employees.
• Ability to exercise tact, courtesy, alertness, and good judgment in responding to others.

Experience and Education

Payroll Technician II

• Any combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• Two years of payroll and personnel experience.

Payroll Technician III

• Any combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• Three years of payroll and personnel experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or related.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner, Etrieve, JIRA or other related electronic systems
• Payroll Certification (FPC or CPP)
• Previous experience using a time keeping system such as Workforce Software for payroll processing.
• Experience working in a diverse academic or public organization.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life and disability insurance plans
• Generous employer contributed 403b retirement plan. We match 200% on the first 5% of contributions, up to 10% maximum employer matching contribution. All contributions are 100% vested.
• Vacation and sick leave accruals
• 14 paid holidays and 1 annual personal holiday
• Hybrid in-office/telework arrangements
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Access to campus amenities, including Love Library, Aztec Lanes bowling alley, SDSU transit center, and a variety of coffee shops and eateries.
• Discounted Aztec Recreation Center gym membership and SDSU events
• Wellness workshops

HOW TO APPLY AND TIPS FOR MAKING IT THROUGH OUR HIRING PROCESS

You must apply through the SDSURF Career Page. Make sure your application is complete.  Including a resume and cover letter is recommended. Respond to supplemental questions thoroughly.

WHAT OUR HIRING PROCESS IS LIKE

We work as fast as we can to make hiring decisions. However, it may take several weeks for all the parties involved to review your application. We keep in touch each step of the way and inform you of the status of your application.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• The salary range for this position is $24.00 - $31.50 per hour depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable. 
• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII 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), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.