Senior Payroll Specialist at Stillwater Sciences in Berkeley, CA

Stillwater Sciences is looking for an experienced Senior Payroll Specialist to join our Financial Accounting team. In this role, you’ll lead accurate, timely, and compliant multi-state payroll processing for approximately 150 employees across seven states while supporting payroll taxes, reconciliations, reporting, and internal controls. If you bring deep payroll expertise, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to operational excellence, please apply! This is a full-time, exempt, 40 hours/week position based out of our Berkeley or Sacramento office, with a preference for Berkeley.

What You’ll Do

• Own full-cycle, multi-state payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees.

• Ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and timely tax filings across jurisdictions.

• Reconcile payroll-related accounts, deductions, and benefits information.

• Support audits, reporting, and month-end and year-end payroll activities.

• Help strengthen payroll systems, documentation, and internal processes.

What You’ll Bring

• 10+ years of payroll experience, including at least 5 years with California payroll requirements.

• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll, payroll taxes, wage and hour laws, and reconciliations.

• High attention to detail, sound judgment, and discretion with confidential information.

• Experience with payroll systems and reporting tools; ADP and Deltek Vantagepoint experience is a plus.

• Experience with project/job costing and prevailing wage is a plus.

• CPP certification and experience in consulting or professional services are preferred.

Location and work schedule:

• This role is based out of Berkeley or Sacramento (preference for regular work out of our Berkeley office) and requires 5 days per week office-based work.
• This role is eligible for a hybrid schedule after 6 months.

Compensation and Benefits

• For the full-time exempt Payroll Specialist position, we anticipate the range to have an annual base pay of $85,000-$105,000.

• Pay within this range is determined in good faith and based on a combination of factors, which may include relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance expectations, shift and travel requirements, and business or organizational needs. For candidates who meet the stated qualifications and experience, Stillwater typically targets pay near the midpoint of the range, recognizing that individual placement may vary.

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees, which includes paid time off; health, dental, life, and disability insurance; paid family leave; paid professional development; a 401(k) with employer match; and participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Program (upon meeting eligibility requirements). Stillwater covers 100% of employee medical, dental, life, and disability insurance premiums and 40% of dependent premiums.

Application:

• Please provide a one-page resume, one-page cover letter, and written responses to the prompts. Only applications with the requested materials will be considered.

• We request that you do not use AI tools in preparing your written responses. We do not use AI screening for applicants.

• Applications must be submitted through the company’s official Application Tracking System, BambooHR-linked here. We prioritize a secure and transparent hiring experience. Our recruiting team reaches out only through verified company communication channels, such as official email domains and authenticated LinkedIn profiles. All members of our recruiting staff are listed on our website so you can easily confirm with whom you’re speaking. At no point in the hiring process will we request payment, personal financial details, or other sensitive information. If you ever have concerns about the legitimacy of an interaction, you can contact our team directly at recruiting@stillwatersci.com for verification.

• The position will remain open until filled.

• We encourage applicants with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification.

• To request accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact recruiting@stillwatersci.com.

Interview Process:

• First Round Video Interview [45 minutes]
• Panel Interview [60 minutes]
• Skills Assessment [30 minutes]
• Reference Check

About Stillwater Sciences:

Stillwater Sciences is an employee-owned environmental consulting firm specializing in scientifically based solutions to aquatic, terrestrial, and watershed resource management. We assist government agencies, NGOs, and private clients with environmental problem solving, planning, and permitting using a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates physical and biological processes. We have approximately 120 full-time dedicated and enthusiastic employees throughout the Western U.S. in nine offices. We maintain a collaborative work environment that promotes productive and rigorous applied scientific research. We pride ourselves on defining and shaping our individual careers in a way that provides a healthy rhythm of work and life responsibilities. Success at Stillwater requires a blend of passion, initiative, commitment, flexibility, and teamwork.

Stillwater Sciences is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to protected characteristics including race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. Stillwater is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact recruiting@stillwatersci.com.