Payroll Analyst

About the Department

The Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services (CGFS), specifically the Global Compensation unit, delivers comprehensive compensation services to U.S. Foreign Service personnel, Department of State Civil Service staff, and Locally Employed (LE) employees. Operating from locations in Charleston, South Carolina, and Bangkok, Thailand, this unit manages one of the world's most intricate compensation systems, covering 180 countries and handling payroll in 140 different currencies.

The range of services includes time management, payroll processing, annuity payments, customer support, tax withholding, benefits administration, record maintenance, and reporting for domestic and international personnel at U.S. Embassies and Missions. The overarching mission is to provide unparalleled compensation service quality to all customers.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Provide project-based financial assistance within various sectors of Global Compensation.
• Support initiatives related to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
• Assist in Reduction in Workforce (RIF) procedures.
• Handle Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) actions and documentation.
• Extend extra support as needed to Funds Control (accounting) and Variable Contribution Plan teams, which oversee overseas retirement contributions and payments.

Annuity Pay Support:

• Manage new Foreign Service retirement case processing and maintain over 17,500 Foreign Service Retiree records.
• Oversee financial records for Foreign Service Survivors and Child Annuitants.
• Process Civil Service retirement packages and prepare Individual Retirement Records (IRRs) for Civil Service employees departing from the Department of State.
• Conduct audit and review of annuitant records, prepare detailed spreadsheets and annuity start-up documentation, communicate with annuitants and internal agency contacts, input data precisely into the annuity roll system, and draft formal correspondence.
• Initiate Foreign Service retirement payments accurately.
• Scan and archive incoming mail, DRP files, and retirement packages.
• Ensure accuracy in retirement pay calculations and processing.
• Investigate, evaluate, and process pay related to Deferred Resignation Program actions.

American Payroll Support:

• Guarantee timely and accurate salary and entitlement payments for Department of State employees and other covered personnel.
• Ensure compliance with tax reporting mandates.
• Efficiently manage payroll and retirement system operations.
• Administer Reduction in Workforce processes and calculate severance payments.

Locally Employed (LE) Payroll:

• Support payroll operations for LE employees governed by diverse local compensation plans adhering to labor and employment laws of host countries, supplemented by applicable U.S. and Department of State regulations.
• Timely and precise calculation and processing of severance and termination payments following post compensation plans and Directorate guidelines.
• Gain comprehensive understanding and operational capability of all LE Payroll systems, procedures, and policies.
• Investigate compensation and leave policies locally to resolve concerns proactively.

Funds Control Support:

• Assist accounting and financial reconciliation activities within Global Compensation.

Variable Contribution Plan (VCP) Support:

• Aid in closing VCP accounts.
• Process payments associated with the VCP.
• Monitor and address inquiries received through the VCP organizational inbox.

Security Clearance

All contractors must be capable of obtaining or currently possess a Secret level security clearance to support this department.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is preferred.
• Prior experience in reviewing and processing accounting or payroll data and running related reports is desirable.
• Capacity to manage multiple concurrent tasks independently without reliance on extensive supervision.
• Possession of an active Secret Security Clearance is advantageous, or the ability to secure one.

Work Schedule and Location

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Charleston, South Carolina. The standard workday is an 8-hour shift from Monday to Friday, scheduled anytime between 6:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., with a 45-minute unpaid lunch break. Additional work hours may be required with proper authorization from management.