Join the vibrant community at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)!

Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB offers an inspiring workplace and an exceptional Southern California lifestyle. Our 322-acre campus—one of the largest in the CSU system—serves more than 42,000 students and is known for its commitment to student success, innovation, and impactful academic and research initiatives.

As a member of the CSULB community, you’ll experience a dynamic environment filled with cultural landmarks, collaborative energy, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

Work-life balance thrives here. Long Beach blends coastal relaxation with urban vibrancy, offering miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, a thriving arts and food scene, and convenient access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. It’s an ideal place to grow your career while enjoying everything Southern California has to offer.

Job Summary

Under the broad supervision of the Supervisor, Payroll Services, the Payroll Technician III serves as the technical expert for complex and sensitive payroll and personnel matters. The incumbent independently performs comprehensive reviews, analyzes unique or unprecedented payroll issues, and resolves highly complex transactions involving leaves of absence, final settlement payments, dockings, workers’ compensation, retirement adjustments, and leave accrual calculations. This role requires considerable judgment, initiative, and independence, as well as an in‑depth knowledge of CSU payroll and personnel policies, procedures, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements. In addition to full‑journey payroll processing responsibilities, the Payroll Technician III functions as a subject matter expert and may serve in a lead capacity, providing training, guidance, and day‑to‑day direction to other payroll technicians. All duties may be performed for any CSU campus participating in the Cross‑Campus Collaboration Project.

Key Responsibilities

• Personnel/Payroll Information Management System (PIMS) Processing. Under the general direction of the Payroll Supervisor, the Payroll Technician III independently performs the full range of payroll/personnel processing for salaried and hourly employees using the State Controller’s Office (SCO) PIMS/PIP systems and the campus PeopleSoft HRIS.
• Customer service to assist employees and departments. Explaining payroll procedures and policies clearly and tactfully to employees and departments with varying levels of payroll knowledge.
• Payroll accounts receivable (AR) processing. Ensuring due process when establishing AR accounts related to employee overpayments, including preparing written notifications and maintaining appropriate documentation.

Department

HR Service Group

Time Base

1.0 time-base, 40 hours per week.

Duration of Appointment

This is a temporary position for one year with no permanent status granted. Temporary assignments may expire prior to the ending date.

Classification

Payroll Technician III

Compensation

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

CSU Classification Salary Range: The CSU Classification Salary Range for this position is $4,570 (Step #1) - $6,658 (Step #20) per month.

Benefits

At California State University (CSU), we prioritize the health, growth, and success of our employees. Our benefits program reflects our commitment to your overall well-being.

To be eligible for full benefits, employees must be appointed at least half-time (.50 FTE) with an appointment lasting more than six months and one day. Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on appointment type, classification, and applicable collective bargaining agreement. Eligible employees may have access to a comprehensive benefits package that can include:

• Paid Time Off: Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service), 14 paid holidays, and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
• Health Coverage: A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan, along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
• Educational Benefits: Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Additional Benefits: Wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.

Candidates are encouraged to review the appropriate CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details specific to their position. Additionally, the CSU Total Compensation Calculator is available to help prospective employees understand the full value of the CSU benefits package and how it complements base salary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Adequate, transferable and related experience with HR, Payroll, financial or related administrative responsibilities.  Ability to take direction, assimilate information and learn all of the responsibilities of the position. Ability to select, understand and consistently apply policies procedures according to, directives or CSU guidelines. Ability to accurately enter data with zero errors input a computer database. Ability to learn the PJMS and PeopleSoft HR systems as used by CSULB Payroll Services. Ability to review detailed numerical records or transactions in order to identify, trace and correct processing errors and take appropriate action to remedy problems. Ability to work with detailed information and meet deadlines.

 Ability to work under pressure with constant interruptions. Must be able to perform complex arithmetic computations. Knowledge of grammar, spelling and punctuation skills at a level appropriate to the position. Knowledge of general office procedures and practices. Team player and self-starter. Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community.  Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures.  Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."

Education and Experience

Equivalent to three years of increasingly responsible, specialized experience in preparing and processing payroll/personnel transaction documents required.

Application Procedures

Click “Apply Now” to complete the CSULB Online Employment Application.

Please fill out the application completely. It is important that all sections of the online application are completed fully and accurately. Be sure to include all relevant education and experience. Your application will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Physical Summary

Sedentary work - Involves mainly sitting. Walking and standing are minimal. Lifting is limited to lightweight objects (10 pounds or less).

Additional Information

CSULB is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSULB will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Equal Employment Statement

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, CSULB provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected status. CSULB complies with Title VI 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), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

California State University Long Beach expects respectful, professional behavior from its employees in all situations. Acts of harassment or abusive conduct are prohibited. Demonstrated appropriate professional behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate abusive conduct is expected of all employees.

Accommodations

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact StaffHR-Accommodations@csulb.edu.

Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Long Beach, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California.

As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.