The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main is the largest U.S. consular post and one of the largest diplomatic missions in the world. Due to Frankfurt's international airport - the Consulate plays a key role in the supply chain and provides a wide array of services and support to over 100 other U.S. missions around the world. The Consulate is also a major regional conference and training center for staff from other embassies and consulates, and it provides consular-services support functions for the region.
The incumbent of the position serves as post Frankfurt's expert on all payroll related questions and the main timekeeper for time and attendance (T&A) record for approximately 350 locally hired employees and 550 U.S. Direct-Hire employees.
The incumbent serves a definitive point of reference for all USDH, EFM, and LE Staff for Frankfurt’s main timekeepers and all sub-timekeepers, for all questions and problems they may have in connection with payroll matters. The incumbent researches causes for the problems brought to his/her attention, and refers all matters requiring correction or adjustment to the Global Financial Services Center in Charleston (GFSC) for their final action. The incumbent corresponds with GFSC and the DOS to clarify difficult payroll problems and related subjects. Examines and checks itinerary information of officers transferring to post for leave accounting arriving officers), and adjusts their leave records accordingly. Incumbent checks itinerary information provided by USDH and LE Staff in connection with the State Department’s compensatory time for travel policy. Incumbent is responsible for processing USDH and LE Staff requests for specific allowances such as danger pay/UCWB, advance pay (USDH) and restoration of annual leave.
The incumbent collects all time and attendance data and reports them electronically to the GFSC via the secure web. S/he reviews the sub-timekeepers’ submissions and examines them for correctness prior to transmittal to the GFSC. Incumbent processes requests for allotments and tax withholdings. Receives earnings and leave statements, pay checks, and spot-checks them for discrepancies in leave balances, premium pay etc. prior to distributing them, especially in cases where there was a change or where problems have occurred previously.
Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in determination that the applicant is not qualified.
Education: A certified completion of a full-fledged vocational training in a commercial work area (kaufmännische Ausbildung) or two (2) years of college/university studies with coursework on Business Management, Economics, Human Resources, Social Sciences or Liberal Arts is required.
Experience: Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in payroll or accounting in a business is required.
Language: English and German Level III (good working knowledge) speaking, reading and writing is required. (this may be tested)
Knowledge:
- A thorough knowledge is required of the Standardized Regulations, the T&A manual, and Win T&A and other payroll management systems as they relate to payroll issues and related matters is required.
- Thorough knowledge of local system payroll accounting as well as USDH payroll matters.
- Knowledge of German Labor, Social Security, Maternity, Part-Time and Inheritance Laws, as well as the German Health Insurance system is required.
Skills and Abilities:
- Skilled use of the most common Microsoft Office applications such as Microsoft Word, Outlook and of the Mission's HR management and administration applications required.
- Expert use of Microsoft Excel.
- Skilled use of the specialized Department of State pay management applications.
- Very good organizational skills are required to enable the incumbent to organize and carry out duties and projects precisely and in a timely fashion.
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills are required for all aspects of the position.
- Tact and diplomacy and cross-cultural skills in dealing with all Mission employees and all outside contacts are essential.
- The quality of the written and oral communication handled by the incumbent of this position must generally correspond to the role and complexity level of the position: Good oral communication skills with a view to providing payroll related information to all LE Staff and USDH employees.
- Written communication focuses on e-mail correspondence with customers and GFSC, and revolves around inquiries and presentation of problems customers may have with their pay.