About This Role
The Payroll & Certified Payroll Specialist will manage certified payroll and prevailing wage reporting, ensure accurate employee payments, and keep tax obligations current. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented payroll professional who can handle multiple projects and deadlines.
Responsibilities
- Prepare, review, and submit weekly certified payroll reports for multiple active public works projects, using California DIR systems (such as eCPR) and compliance platforms like LCP Tracker
- Apply prevailing wage determinations, worker classifications, and fringe benefit requirements correctly to each project, including Davis-Bacon where federal funds apply
- Track DIR registration and project registration requirements, apprenticeship requirements, and training contributions
- Reconcile timecards with project managers and field supervisors, and ensure certified payroll matches actual payroll before submission
- Respond to audits, agency inquiries, and requests from general contractors and labor compliance programs
- Keep project files and records complete and audit-ready
- Process weekly payroll for field and office staff, including hours, overtime, bonuses, deductions, and garnishments
- Verify timecards, resolve discrepancies before payroll closes, and answer employee wage questions
- Maintain compliance with California wage and hour law, including meal and rest breaks, overtime, and final pay requirements
- Partner with HR and accounting on onboarding, offboarding, and benefits deductions
- Calculate, deposit, and reconcile federal and state payroll taxes, and file quarterly and annual returns on time
- Reconcile payroll tax liabilities and payroll accounts to the general ledger, and resolve discrepancies
- Handle year-end reporting, including W-2s and annual tax reconciliations
- Respond to tax agency notices and correct filings as needed
Requirements
- 5+ years of payroll experience, ideally in construction or another prevailing wage environment
- Hands-on experience with California certified payroll reporting and prevailing wage requirements, or a strong willingness to learn them quickly with training
- Working knowledge of federal and California payroll tax requirements, deposits, and filings
- Working knowledge of California wage and hour law
- Strong accuracy and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines at once
- Comfort with payroll and accounting software and strong Excel skills
- Clear, professional communication with field staff, managers, and agencies
Nice to have:
- DIR and LCP Tracker experience
- Davis-Bacon experience
