JOB DESCRIPTION REPORTS TO: Team Leader JOB PURPOSE As part of the Payroll Section working within Financial Support Services and under the requirements of the Employment Rights Act 1996, provide timely and accurate payments to differing types of Education Authority employees and independent bodies within agreed deadlines, subject to varying conditions of service and statutory legislation; Provide information to professionals (internal and external) and outside agencies under statutory and non-statutory requirements. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Operate and maintain manual and computerised payroll records for various categories of employees, to ensure timely and accurate payments and deductions to Authority employees and independent bodies, under varying conditions of service. Process and input all prepared data to the specialised payroll system (currently Resourcelink) ensuring accurate reconciliation of details. Process and control the input of sickness and maternity records for all employees ensuring accurate calculation of occupational and statutory entitlements subject to timely receipt and authorisation of medical evidence. Verify the accuracy of all output reports, payments and deductions, reworking calculations where necessary, ensuring total accuracy prior to release for payment. Operate and maintain manual and computerised pension records, ensuring total accuracy of detail, which impacts on the level of pension benefits due to employees. Use own initiative in the planning and prioritising of daily workload to meet inflexible payroll deadlines and produce vital administrative documentation, to both statutory and non-statutory bodies. Scrutinise, prepare and interpret authorised prime documentation for input, including the verification of essential information provided by other related sections, which is required to make payment. Develop, maintain and have current knowledge of Pay As You Earn, National Insurance, Statutory and Occupational Sick Pay, Statutory and Occupational Maternity/Paternity Pay, Working Families Tax Credits, Student Loans and pension schemes requirements/ legislation. Also the varying conditions of service which is required to comply with statutory payroll and pension requirements. Provide advice and guidance about payroll and information regarding pension issues in response to queries (written, telephone and in person) from principals, secretaries, supervisors, Authority employees, ex-employees, other departments and external agencies. Provide confidential information both written and verbal to statutory/non-statutory, internal and external professionals and outside agencies, within the specified time constraints whilst complying with the requirement of the Data Protection Act (1998). Compose and reply to formal letters from professionals and outside agencies. Train, supervise, allocate and monitor the work of the sections clerical officers. Respond to and operate the delivery of new Government legislation/directives. Work in a team environment as well as use own initiative in the daily completion of tasks. Able to cope under pressure with conflicting priorities caused by frequent changes to work demands. Deal with customers in a sensitive, professional and caring manner under specific circumstances that are often stressful. Deputise for Team Leader on set tasks as required. Co-operate with rotation of responsibility commensurate with the level of post held. Comply with the Authority’s management attendance policy, with particular emphasis on flexible working time and return to work interviews. Any other similar duties as requested by management. This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times. To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here. PERSON SPECIFICATION NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS 1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant. 2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise. 3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. 4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. 5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. 6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria. Section 1 - Essential Criteria The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/ Experience Hold NVQ Level 3, BTEC National or two 'A' Levels or equivalent or higher qualifications and have a minimum of one year's administrative/clerical experience of working in a financial environment; OR have a minimum of three years’ administrative/clerical experience of working in a financial environment. Demonstrable experience of using computerised software packages including Microsoft Word and Excel. Shortlisting by Application Form S ection 2 - Essential Criteria The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage. The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Knowledge Knowledge of payroll statutory payments and deductions. Interview Skills/ Abilities In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: Ability to work under pressure to meet inflexible deadlines. Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team. Ability to be flexible. Ability to deal with the public in person and by telephone. Interview Values Orientation Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here. Interview Section 3 - Desirable Criteria Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment Experience Demonstrable experience of using Oracle or a similar computerised payroll system. Shortlisting by Application Form Our Values Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential. DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage. Further information can be accessed on www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks or www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-accessni APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here. To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here. The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer