DSO & Payroll Specialist

Make a difference at one of Florida’s premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.

The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly’s deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation.

   

JOB TITLE

   

DSO & Payroll Specialist

   

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

   

The DSO & Payroll Specialist administers the University's international employment and student immigration programs while supporting payroll administration and HR operations. The position serves as the University's Designated School Official (DSO) and provides expertise in immigration compliance, employment eligibility, and international employee services.

Working collaboratively with the Human Resources Business Partner, Immigration and HRIS, and Payroll Program Director, this position ensures compliance with federal and state regulations while delivering exceptional customer service to faculty, staff, students, and campus departments. The position will learn payroll administration responsibilities through structured on-the-job training.

   

JOB DESCRIPTION

   

Responsibilities:

Global Talent & International Services - 50%

• Serve as the University's Designated School Official (DSO) and maintain compliance with SEVIS and federal immigration regulations.
• Assist international students, faculty, staff, and hiring managers regarding immigration requirements, employment authorization, and visa processes.
• Process and maintain SEVIS records and ensure timely reporting.
• Coordinate employment-based immigration matters, including H-1B, TN, OPT, CPT, J-1, and permanent residency cases in collaboration with legal counsel.
• Prepare and review immigration documentation and maintain confidential records.
• Monitor changes in immigration laws and recommend policy and procedural updates.
• Develop and deliver immigration orientations and informational sessions.

Payroll Administration - 30%

• Support payroll processing under the direction of the Payroll Program Director.
• Review personnel actions affecting payroll for accuracy and completeness.
• Process employee transactions related to hires, separations, and employment changes.
• Assist with payroll audits, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and resolve discrepancies.
• Coordinate payroll matters affecting international employees and foreign national taxation requirements.
• Participate in payroll processing during peak periods and assist with year-end activities.
• Maintain GLACIER software to produce 1042-S tax documents that are filed with the IRS
• Maintain GLACIER Tax Prep software, which assists foreign nationals in preparing their tax returns

HR Operations & Collaboration - 20%

• Partner with the HR Business Partner to support employee onboarding, employment changes, and compliance initiatives.
• Collaborate with the HRIS team to maintain accurate employee and immigration data within university systems.
• Participate in HR projects, process improvements, and system implementations.
• Assist with audits, reporting requirements, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Maintain confidential personnel records and documentation.
• Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience serving as a Designated School Official (DSO) in a higher education environment.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal immigration regulations and SEVIS requirements.
• Experience working with confidential records and regulatory compliance.
• In lieu of a degree, we may consider an appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications.

*Payroll experience is not required. The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in university payroll administration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a State University System (SUS) or public higher education environment.
• Experience with employment-based immigration sponsorships.
• Experience with Workday HRIS or payroll systems.
• Experience with I-9 compliance and E-Verify.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or related professional certification.
• SHRM Immigration Certification
• Experience working collaboratively with HR Business Partners, HRIS professionals, and payroll teams.

• Experience in payroll.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of federal immigration laws, SEVIS regulations, and employment eligibility requirements.
• Ability to interpret complex regulations and communicate them effectively.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and enterprise HR information systems.
• Ability to establish collaborative working relationships across departments.
• Ability to learn in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting. 
• Ability to adapt to constant change.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF LAW:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• This position requires a criminal background check.
• This position is subject to federal and state privacy regulations.

NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE: This position is exempt/salary exempt.  The normal work schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. However, occasional overtime (weekends and evenings) may be required.

TARGET HIRING SALARY: $50,200 - $54,000 commensurate with experience.

LOCATION/WORK MODEL: Full-time/On-site

Note: Employment-based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position.

 

Application Deadline Date: The position may be open for 14 days with a minimum of 7 days; however, the review of applications will commence immediately.

Application Process:

In addition to completing the online application, all applicants are required to upload the following as attachments to the application (preferably in PDF format):

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three (3) Professional References

If any of these three items are missing, you will not be considered for the position.

References will not be contacted unless you are selected as a finalist for the position.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.

Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. An appointment is not final until proof is provided.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS INFORMATION

Florida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation.

Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre-tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. EST, at 1-866-663-4735.

RETIREMENT

Florida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future. Click Here for more information. 

OTHER BENEFITS

• Discounts & Perks

• Annual Leave

• • To help promote work-life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holidays. Qualified employees may accrue 22 days of annual leave. In addition, the University observes the holidays listed in our University Holidays policy FPU-1.008.

• Sick Leave

• • Qualified employees may also accrue 12 days of annual sick leave and participate in our Sick Pool Program.

• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

EXPLORE LAKELAND FLORIDA

Conveniently located along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is home to Florida Polytechnic University and many other businesses and attractions. Click here to explore Lakeland, Florida.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ATTACHMENTS:

 

Required attachments are listed on each posting.   Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered. 

 

An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire. 

 

Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline.

 

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.

  

This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute §435.04.