Payroll Clerk / Payroll Specialist (Agriculture) Needed in Santa Maria

Location: Santa Maria, CA (in-person only)

Pay Range: $25.00 - $35.00 per hour DOE

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM (overtime may be required)

Position Summary

A growing agricultural organization in Santa Maria is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Payroll Clerk / Payroll Specialist to support payroll operations for a large workforce. This role is responsible for processing payroll accurately and timely while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and company policies.

The ideal candidate will have experience with payroll processing, employee record maintenance, payroll audits, and labor tracking systems. Candidates with agricultural payroll, piece-rate payroll, and H-2A workforce experience are strongly preferred. This position requires strong organizational skills, accuracy, discretion, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Process weekly, bi-weekly, and semi-monthly payrolls accurately and on schedule.
• Review, verify, and reconcile timecards, crew sheets, labor records, and payroll data.
• Enter and maintain payroll information within Paylocity.
• Utilize PickTrace labor tracking data to ensure accurate payroll processing.
• Audit payroll reports to verify hours worked, overtime, deductions, benefits, taxes, and wage calculations.
• Process direct deposits and assist with payroll check distribution.
• Maintain employee payroll records, personnel files, and I-9 documentation.
• Process new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, garnishments, and employee status changes.
• Assist with payroll tax reporting and remittance activities.
• Administer 401(k) deductions, loans, withholding orders, and benefit-related payroll changes.
• Process final paychecks in compliance with California labor laws.
• Support employee benefit enrollments and payroll-related reporting.
• Respond to employee and management payroll inquiries in a professional and timely manner.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Accounting, and Operations teams to resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee and payroll information.
• Perform additional payroll and administrative duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of payroll processing experience.
• Experience in agriculture, produce, food processing, farming, or labor-intensive environments preferred.
• Previous H-2A payroll and workforce administration experience strongly preferred.
• Experience processing piece-rate payroll highly preferred.
• Experience with Paylocity payroll software preferred.
• Experience with PickTrace labor tracking systems preferred.
• Knowledge of payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, payroll taxes, and employee deductions.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office and Excel skills.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication in both English and Spanish.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Compensation & Schedule

Pay: $25.00 - $35.00 per hour, depending on experience

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Overtime: May be required during peak seasons, audits, month-end close, and payroll processing periods.

Preferred Experience: Agriculture Payroll | Piece-Rate Payroll | H-2A Workforce Administration | Paylocity | PickTrace | Bilingual English/Spanish

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.