Certified Payroll Specialist

Job Description:

Position Summary 

The Certified Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely preparation, submission, and maintenance of certified payroll reports in compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act, state prevailing wage laws, and applicable federal and state regulations. This role supports field operations and project teams by ensuring all payroll-related compliance obligations on public works and government-funded construction projects are met. The Specialist works closely with project managers, subcontractors, and accounting staff to resolve discrepancies and maintain audit-ready records.

Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Independently oversee the preparation and submission of weekly certified payroll reports (CPRs) for all applicable projects, exercising judgment to ensure accuracy and compliance with platform requirements (LCPtracker, eMars, or similar).

• Apply specialized knowledge to verify and determine appropriate employee classifications, wage rates, and fringe benefit contributions in accordance with prevailing wage determinations.

• Exercise discretion in reviewing, evaluating, and approving subcontractor CPRs, identifying deficiencies and directing corrective action to ensure completeness and timely submission.

• Manage the issuance and tracking of Statements of Compliance for company and subcontractor submissions, making independent determinations on adequacy and compliance.

• Develop and maintain audit-ready CPR filing systems and documentation protocols to support contract compliance reviews and regulatory inquiries. Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and prevailing wage schedules to determine correct wage rates, overtime calculations, and fringe benefit deductions.

• Apply independent judgment in the review and audit of timekeeping records, proactively identifying discrepancies and coordinating resolutions with field supervisors to maintain accurate payroll processing. Analyze payroll data to calculate and process retroactive wage adjustments, prevailing wage true-ups, and fringe benefit reconciliations.

• Monitor and evaluate Davis-Bacon Act wage determinations and state prevailing wage schedules across all active projects, proactively identifying compliance risks. Assess labor compliance posting requirements and make independent determinations to ensure job site notices remain current and complete.

• Provide expertise and support during Department of Labor and state agency audits and investigations by managing required documentation, responses, and compliance-related communications.

• Lead subcontractor onboarding to certified payroll reporting requirements and platforms, establishing compliance expectations at project start and managing ongoing adherence.

• Exercise judgment to identify, escalate, and recommend corrective action for chronic subcontractor non-compliance to project management and accounting leadership.

• Maintain and administer payroll records in the company’s financial software system, generating analytical reports on labor costs and fringe benefit accruals for project managers.

• Lead year-end payroll activities and certified payroll reconciliations, independently analyzing and resolving complex discrepancies to ensure accuracy and compliance.

• Prepare specialized payroll reporting for OCIP/CCIP programs and union fringe obligations, applying expert knowledge of applicable requirements.

• Identify and implement process improvement initiatives; establish standards for new procedures and provide training and guidance to team members. Complete assigned and required training for this role.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

This position will be conducted in a temperature controlled professional office environment, with moderate noise. The role will routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.      

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this role, the employee is regularly required to talk, listen sit, walk, reach, kneel, stoop, crouch, and use hands and fingers to handle or feel and to operate a computer and telephone keyboard, and maintain visual acuity. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and/or carry lightweight objects under 20 pounds.

Expected Hours of Work
Full time position. Extended hours and weekends may apply.

Travel
Minimal travel required. Majority of travel done during work hours; overnight stays may be required.

Required Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree in business or related job field. Two (2) or more years of experience in payroll and benefits Two (2) or more years of experience with job costing, prevailing wage, and union environments.

• Equivalent combination of the above education, training, and experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related job field. Solid knowledge of FMLA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other benefits-related regulations is preferred.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications    

• Familiarity with payroll software systems/HRIS (e.g. Workday, ADP, Viewpoint).

• Proficient in Microsoft Office with an emphasis on Excel. Proven ability to maintain the highest levels of integrity, and handle and maintain sensitive information in a confidential, timely, and professional manner.

• High level of accuracy and advanced attention to detail.

The Christman family of companies is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability status. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.As part of our company policy, this position requires successful completion of pre-employment screening, including but not limited to drug and background screening.

Notice to Recruiting Agencies (Unsolicited Resumes): The Christman Company does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our applicant tracking system, website, or to any Christman employee/affiliates. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Christman employees or its' affiliates will be considered property of The Christman Company and will be processed accordingly. Christman will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume without an executed agreement and assigned to a specific search.