Payroll Specialist - Prevailing Wage

Overview

A company specializing in public works projects is seeking a Prevailing Wage / Certified Payroll Compliance Specialist to lead compliance efforts for California projects. The role is open to either a full-time employee or an experienced consultant who can establish and oversee the prevailing wage compliance program.

This position requires comprehensive knowledge of state and federal prevailing wage compliance processes and the ability to independently manage complex public works requirements. It is not a data entry role.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary contact for all prevailing wage and public works compliance matters
• Review project bid documents, contracts, and Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) to identify prevailing wage obligations, labor classifications, apprenticeship requirements, and compliance risks
• Determine applicable wage determinations based on project scope, county, craft, shift, and other project-specific factors
• Process and oversee bi-weekly payroll for over 150 employees, ensuring accurate pay, prevailing wage rates, overtime calculations, union deductions, fringe benefits, certified payroll requirements, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Collaborate with HR and Operations to ensure employee records, job assignments, labor classifications, and payroll data are accurate before each payroll cycle
• Verify employee hours by project, job number, classification, location, overtime, shift differentials, and other reporting requirements
• Manage California DIR compliance, including certified payroll reporting through DIR eCPR, LCPtracker, or similar platforms
• Ensure compliance reporting for other states including Oregon, Washington, and Nevada
• Oversee apprenticeship compliance, including DAS forms, apprentice ratios, dispatch documentation, and related reporting
• Maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with prevailing wage laws, union obligations, and public agency requirements
• Respond to labor compliance inquiries from public agencies, prime contractors, auditors, unions, and internal stakeholders
• Identify potential compliance issues early and recommend corrective actions
• Develop and improve internal compliance processes, documentation standards, and reporting workflows
• Utilize technology, AI, and automation tools to enhance reporting accuracy and efficiency

Required Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience managing California and federal prevailing wage and certified payroll compliance for public works projects
• Strong knowledge of California and federal prevailing wage laws, wage determinations, labor classifications, overtime rules, fringe benefits, apprenticeship requirements, and certified payroll reporting
• Experience reviewing contracts and Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for labor compliance
• Proficiency with California DIR eCPR, LCPtracker, or comparable certified payroll and labor compliance systems
• Ability to work independently as the organization's prevailing wage compliance expert
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, payroll systems, document management platforms, and AI productivity tools
• Experience collaborating with Payroll, HR, Operations, Finance, and field teams
• Background in construction, vegetation management, forestry, utilities, infrastructure, or other field-service industries

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience with California DIR regulations, DAS apprenticeship requirements, training fund contributions, labor compliance audits, and public agency reporting
• Experience working with school districts, municipalities, utilities, state agencies, prime contractors, or other public works owners
• Familiarity with UKG Ready, ERP systems, project management software, or certified payroll software
• Experience building or improving prevailing wage compliance programs and internal processes

Employment Type

• Full-time employee to own and manage prevailing wage compliance internally
• Or experienced consultant to provide ongoing compliance support, establish best practices, train internal staff, and assist with complex public works projects

Location

Remote - South San Francisco, CA, United States

Employee Type

Non-Exempt (Full-Time)