Founded in 1987 by the late David Packard, MBARI is a nonprofit oceanographic
research center advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing
ocean. Located in Moss Landing, California, the heart of the Monterey Bay National
Marine Sanctuary, MBARI offers ready access to the open ocean and deep sea. Ongoing research programs range across autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicle systems, control technologies, ocean physics, chemistry, geology, biology, ocean instrumentation, and information management. MBARI hosts approximately 200 employees, with shore facilities that include state-of-the-art science and engineering laboratories, manufacturing and electrical fabrication shops, and dock facilities for MBARI vessels.

MBARI has a position open for a Payroll Specialist. This position ensures that payroll and payroll related transactions are processed and documented in accordance with federal and state regulations and MBARI policies and procedures. The incumbent must have skills in IRC regulations as they apply to payroll, California labor law as it is applied to hours worked, understanding of accrual accounting in relation to payroll transactions and the general processing of those transactions, communication, automated report generation and writing procedures. This position must maintain current and accurate desk procedures, utilize the automated systems and reports to maximize accuracy and efficiency, and be able to navigate regulatory changes as it applies to payroll processing.
The incumbent must have the ability to pay strict attention to detail, be solutions
driven, and hold a high level of professional standard and confidentiality.

Primary responsibilities:
1. Process Payroll – Using Deltek CostPoint, process payroll from over 200 timesheets
calculating gross payroll from hours worked, taxable fringe benefits, alternate pay
rates, adjustments as needed, and other transactions impacting the value of payroll
for a given period. Reconcile employee balances that are on medical leave and
received state benefits.
2. Process Insurance Payments – Calculate from reports and understand payroll related
payments such as federal and state payroll taxes, retirement contributions,
garnishments, health savings account contributions, flex account contributions, and
insurance payments. Review and pay monthly insurance bills related to employee
benefits.
3. Quarterly and Annual Payroll Filings – Timely prepare and reconcile quarterly payroll
filings, federal form 941 and CA DE9. Prepare and reconcile annual payroll filings,
form W-2 and W-3. File all forms electronically.
4. Employee benefits – Understand and review how benefits apply to employees given
changes in status. Includes health care eligibility for ACA compliance, appropriate
level of leave accrual, and retirement eligibility.
5. Process employee transactions – Monitor and maintain transactions that pertain to
employee’s payroll to ensure transaction are recorded and processed timely.
Including employee authorized deductions, taxed fringe benefits such as gift cards,
transfers of labor between projects and any elective deduction changes. Handle
forms related to court ordered garnishments. Verification of unemployment claims.
6. Monthly reconciliation – Reconcile on a monthly basis payroll accounts to ensure
zero accounts are properly maintained and all accounts balances tie to supporting
schedules.
7. External Audit – Maintain required payroll schedules for review under audit with
external agencies, including MBARI’s auditors and state or federal audits for specific
programs. Participate in audits as needed by providing schedules or pulling
necessary support from auditor selections.

Qualifications:
• A.A. degree in Business or related field, and 7-10 years demonstrated experience
required.
• Working knowledge of payroll, accounting software, and spreadsheet
applications.
• Must have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, as well as be able to
work with diverse groups of people.
• Have a strict attention to detail.
• Appropriate handling of confidential information is paramount.