Job Description

Definition & Distinguishing Characteristics

The Colusa County Auditor-Controller Department is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and dedicated individual to join our team. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to essential County operations, support the needs of County employees, and play an important role in delivering accurate, reliable, and professional service.

We value initiative, accountability, collaboration, and a willingness to learn. Our department is committed to providing the training and guidance necessary for employees to succeed while encouraging independent thinking, professional growth, and responsibility in their work. We strive to maintain a supportive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to the department’s success.

If you are committed to public service and professional growth, we encourage you to review the summary of our department’s values and workplace culture below. For more information about the opportunity and its responsibilities, please visit the full job description HERE.

This recruitment will be used to fill a current vacancy and establish an eligibility list to fill other openings without reposting.

What's this Job All About?
As a Payroll Specialist for Colusa County, you will support the administration and maintenance of payroll and employee records by processing personnel and payroll changes accurately and in a timely manner. Responsibilities include processing new hires, terminations, position and pay rate changes, deductions, and benefit enrollments and updates. You will maintain accurate payroll documentation, prepare and review payroll reports, and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state wage and hour laws, as well as County policies, procedures, and established guidelines.

Culture is at Our Core
Build a rewarding career while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. At Colusa County, we value both your professional growth and personal well-being. Join a supportive workplace that recognizes the importance of balancing career goals with life outside of work.

How do we make a difference?
If you are looking for a small, hometown, family-oriented community... then you have found it. Colusa County employees are not only here to provide for our community on a professional level, but on a personal one as well. If you are huge on giving back to those less fortunate in life then you have an opportunity to join our department family and assist us with our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive whereby, we collect non-perishable food products from our county staff and provide it to a local non-profit agency to help those in need around the holiday.

Do our values speak to you?

Deliver excellent Customer Service to Others & Our Community
Embrace and Drive Change
Create FUN and a Little Weirdness
Be Adventurous, Creative, Open-Minded
Pursue Growth and Learning
Build Open and Honest Relationships with Communication
Foster a Positive Team and Family Spirit
Be Passionate and Determined
Be Humble and Kind

What are the benefits?

A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve.
A caring, empathetic, & fun work family that you will be welcomed into - where we work hard, but play hard, too!
A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Competitive salary commensurate with education & experience
A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members)- As long as you work for 5 years and vest in the CalPERS system, you will receive a retirement paycheck for the rest of your life.
Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff.
457 Deferred Compensation.
PAID vacation, PAID holidays (15), and PAID leave if you get sick.
Vacation Parity - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County. A public agency includes cities, counties, districts, the military, and similar entities. To learn more about vacation parity, please see our benefit summary.

Supervision & Examples of Duties

SUPERVISION RECEIVED : Receives general direction from the Auditor-Controller.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED : None.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS :

The following requirements generally demonstrate possession of the minimum requisite knowledge and ability necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Associates degree in accounting, business administration or a related field.

Four (4) years of experience in payroll accounting and/or payroll-specific benefit administration. Public sector experience is preferred.

Supplemental Information

Based on a 37.5 work week
PAYROLL SPECIALIST: $4,674 - $7,670
(Plus 4% confidential pay that is not included in the stated salary. )

Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package. For a summary of benefits, please click here: 2026 Benefit Summary

Closing Date/Time: 11/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

COLUSA COUNTY, CA

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Payroll Specialist