Payroll Assistant

Job Description:
Title: Payroll Assistant
Unit: Non-Unit
Department: Human Resources Department
Reports to: Payroll Supervisor
Date: 2026
Position Overview
Payroll Assistant at Roxbury Community College will play a vital role in initiating daily payroll lifecycle duties for our workforce, which would include employee/student employment onboarding. Reporting directly to the Payroll Supervisor, this position owns the day-to-day administration of student employee operations, new hire onboarding, and essential payroll transactions. This role will act as a key institutional resource, ensuring seamless, accurate, and timely payroll processing while delivering exceptional support to student employees, staff, and departments.
Key Responsibilities
Onboarding & New Hire Operations

• Own the onboarding lifecycle and payroll setup for all student employees and newly hired staff.
• Audit hiring documents for compliance, including tax forms, direct deposit setup, and employment authorization (I-9 verification).
• Manage data integrity by entering and maintaining employee records within payroll and HR information systems.
• Enforce institutional policies regarding student employee eligibility, tracking work-hour limits, and employment status.
• Partner with hiring managers, supervisors, and HR to ensure timely, efficient setup for all new hires.
• Serve as a primary resource for student employees, guiding them through forms, timesheet access, and paycheck inquiries.
• Lead operational support during peak seasonal hiring cycles.

Payroll Processing Support

• Collaborate with the Payroll Supervisor to execute accurate biweekly payroll runs.
• Audit employee time entries, reviewing timesheets and approvals for completeness and accuracy.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies proactively by partnering with individual departments to correct missing data.
• Generate payroll reports, summaries, and critical audit documentation for leadership.
• Execute payroll adjustments, including off-cycle checks, retroactive pay, and corrections as needed.
• Manage the payroll calendar to keep departments informed of upcoming submission deadlines.

Administrative & Compliance Duties

• Safeguard confidential files, maintaining secure and organized payroll and employee records.
• Ensure strict compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations governing payroll and student employment.
• Support year-end processes, assisting with W-2 preparation, data reconciliations, and formal audits.
• Deliver prompt, professional customer service to all payroll and employment-related inquiries.
• Drive process improvements by identifying ways to increase efficiency and accuracy in daily workflows.

Requirements:
Qualifications

• Education: REQUIRED - Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree preferred;
• Experience: 1-3 years of administrative support, Payroll/HR, or office operations experience.
• Direct experience utilizing payroll systems, HRCMS, or automated timekeeping software.
• Direct experience utilizing payroll systems, HRCMS, or automated timekeeping software.

Preferred Skills

• Detail Orientation: Exceptional attention to detail with a proven track record of data accuracy.
• Organization: Strong time-management skills with the ability to handle peak seasonal workloads.
• Trustworthiness: Demonstrated ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong customer service orientation.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, with intermediate to advanced Excel skills.

• Prior experience in higher education or managing student employment administration.

Additional Information:
Employees of Roxbury Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits that include:

• High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
• Reasonable Dental Plan and Vision Discount
• Flexible Medical Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance Account Through Ameriflex
• Low-cost basic and optional life insurance, including other supplemental products, through AFLAC.
• Retirement (Defined Benefits) and Retirement Savings Plans (Defined Contribution): Massachusetts State Employees Retirement System (MSERS) or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) offered through Department of Higher Education (Alternative Retirement Plan) and SMART PLAN - Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b) (Fidelity, TIAA-CREF).
• 12 paid holidays per year, along with earned Competitive Sick, Vacation, and 5 days of Personal Time per calendar year.
• Tuition Benefit for employees and dependents at state community colleges and universities.
• Short-Term Disability and various program participation options offered by AFLAC.
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities.
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
• Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Free employee parking on the Roxbury Campus
• Public Transportation is available to the College via the MBTA Orange Line Roxbury Crossing Station, a ten (10) minute walk to MBTA Orange Line Ruggles Station, and connecting bus stops to and from Nubian Square (Dudley)

Location: Roxbury Community College, 1234 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02120
Unit Status: Non-Union
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Position Offers Hybrid/Remote Work - 1 Day Per Week
Compensation Range: $52,000-$56,000 per year
Application Instructions:
All applicants must apply online by submitting:
Cover Letter
Resume
Names and contact information for three (3) professional references
Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) request.
After completing all the steps above, please go back into the newly created account and double check that your resume and cover letter uploaded as you intended.
Roxbury Community College understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact Pat Noel, ADA Coordinator, at or
ADA Compliance:
The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education - Roxbury Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education - Roxbury Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Roxbury Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at