Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. This recruitment may close at any time without notice. The first review of applications is scheduled for March 27, 2026.
The City of Ontario has an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional to supervise, plan, and coordinate the activities and operations of the City’s centralized payroll function for one of the economic leaders in the Inland Empire! This position is an integral member of the Financial Services Agency and Payroll Division. The Payroll Supervisor supervises a staff of Payroll Coordinators, Technicians, and clerical staff, and processes payroll on a bi-weekly basis for approximately 1,800 full-time and part-time employees using Workday.
The Ideal Candidate
The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate The Following
- Strong payroll background using Workday.
- High ethical standards.
- Serve as a mentor to department staff.
- Work effectively under pressure while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
- Knowledge of bargaining units and memorandum of understanding interpretation.
- Provide excellent customer service as a departmental standard.
- Hands-on, flexible, and creative analytical problem solver.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Additionally, the successful candidate will embody the qualities of a
"Five Tool Player" - Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant - and the principles of the
City's Customer Service Philosophy – Empathy, Respect, and Problem Solving.
The Following Procedures Will Apply
- The Eligibility List will consist of both internal and external applicants who meet the qualifications and successfully complete any required selection processes.
- The hiring department has the discretion to consider internal applicants on the Eligibility List prior to considering external candidates on the Eligibility List.
- The City of Ontario reserves the right, if necessary, to accept only the first one hundred (100) applications from applicants that meet the qualification guidelines below.
- Completed applications will be reviewed and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the City will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
The Financial Services Agency
The Financial Services Agency provides support services to the citizens and businesses of Ontario, as well as to City Departments, with financial affairs, budget development, procurement, accounting, payroll, and revenue services. The Agency’s service objective is to direct the financial affairs of the City of Ontario, under the direction provided by the Mayor and City Council through their goals and objectives, in a timely, accurate, cost effective, and efficient manner. Financial Services Agency includes the following divisions: Accounting, Accounts Payable, Business License/ Central Cashiering, Budget, Revenue and Grant Management, Accounts Receivable, Investments, Debt Management, Payroll, Purchasing, and Special Districts/Development Impact Fee (DIF) Administration.
The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including, but not limited to: Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City’s team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.
About
The City’s vision for the future is very exciting, and we foresee tremendous growth within the years to come. We welcome you to view the City of Ontario’s 2026 State of the City video by clicking on the link below as well as the other links to learn more about the City:
State of the City The Ontario Plan
Smart Ontario Downtown Ontario
The essential functions typically performed by the
Payroll Supervisor include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Plans, supervises, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Payroll Division, including the preparation, processing, analysis, monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping of payroll and tax information.
- Supervises and directs the activities of staff, including employee selection, work assignment, performance evaluation, employee development, disciplinary action, and complaint resolution.
- Participates in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities.
- Supervises and ensures accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payroll for all City employees.
- Reviews payroll data for errors and inconsistencies and takes corrective action; researches and resolves complex payroll-related issues.
- Facilitates timely reporting and payment of miscellaneous withholdings to appropriate agencies.
- Oversees and analyzes and prepares complex compensation data to report to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), California State Controller's Office, and other federally and state-mandated reporting agencies.
- Oversees the preparation of tax statements, W-2s, and other tax-related documents; audits, reconciles, and prepares payroll tax reports for submission to federal and state agencies.
- Interprets and applies MOUs, job profiles, policies, procedures, and regulations related to payroll processing.
- Ensures payroll operations comply with CalPERS regulations, as well as federal, state, and local laws.
- Researches and analyzes current and proposed legislation and taxation rules and implements recommendations that may impact payroll operations and reporting.
- Identifies needs and assists in developing, coordinating, and implementing improvements to the payroll system.
- Updates computer database tables related to benefits, leave accrual rates, and payroll tax changes.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Education
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
Experience
Four (4) years of progressively responsible payroll administration experience, including one (1) year of lead or supervisory level experience.
Desirable
- Experience in payroll in governmental setting.
- Experience in CalPERS Reporting.
How To Apply
Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com, you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise, log in with your username and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:
- List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.
- List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).
- Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.
A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.
NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit required certification(s) or other required documentation as outlined in the Qualifications Guideline section of this bulletin. Please use the attachment function found on the City's online application to attach copies of the requested certification(s) or other documentation. Failure to attach required documentation may result in the rejection of your application. Please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency if you have any questions regarding the application process.
Your application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Failure to complete these sections may result in the rejection of your application.
Supplemental Questions
To complete your application for this position, you may be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.
Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.
Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
Email Notices
Email is the primary way that the Human Resources/Risk Management or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the City of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
