Certified Payroll Specialist

Certified Payroll Specialist

Location: Bakersfield, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Schedule: Monday-Friday | Typically 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Flexibility Required for OT)
Pay: $30.00-$38.00/hr

Position Overview

Key Staffing is recruiting for an experienced Certified Payroll Specialist to join a rapidly growing electrical and industrial contractor in Bakersfield, California.

This is a highly specialized role responsible for managing certified payroll operations for California prevailing wage projects while ensuring compliance with state and federal labor regulations. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience with certified payroll, California prevailing wage requirements, and payroll compliance in a fast-paced construction environment.

This position is critical to the company's continued growth and will work closely with leadership to maintain payroll accuracy, support labor compliance audits, and ensure regulatory compliance across multiple public works and prevailing wage projects.

This is not an entry-level payroll position. We are seeking an experienced professional who thrives under pressure, enjoys solving complex payroll challenges, and takes pride in producing accurate work with minimal supervision.

Essential Responsibilities

• Process weekly certified payroll for prevailing wage construction projects.
• Process and support regular company payroll as needed.
• Prepare Certified Payroll Reports accurately and on time.
• Ensure compliance with California Prevailing Wage regulations.
• Maintain compliance with DIR (Department of Industrial Relations) reporting requirements.
• Assist with Davis-Bacon payroll compliance when applicable.
• Review payroll records for accuracy, wage classifications, fringe benefits, overtime, and compliance.
• Coordinate with field supervisors regarding employee timecards and payroll documentation.
• Review and resolve payroll discrepancies before processing.
• Support internal and external labor compliance audits.
• Assist with payroll documentation requested during prevailing wage and compliance audits.
• Maintain confidential payroll and employee records.
• Assist with employee benefit administration as responsibilities expand.
• Cross-train within the accounting department to provide payroll coverage as needed.
• Continuously monitor changing labor laws and payroll regulations affecting prevailing wage projects.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years of Certified Payroll experience.
• Experience processing California Prevailing Wage payroll.
• Strong understanding of DIR compliance requirements.
• Experience working in the construction industry.
• Experience processing payroll for medium to large employee populations.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• High level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with payroll software and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Davis-Bacon payroll experience.
• Labor compliance experience.
• Prevailing wage audit experience.
• Experience responding to payroll audit requests.
• LCP Tracker or similar labor compliance software experience.
• QuickBooks Payroll experience.
• Accounting coursework or degree.
• HR or Benefits Administration experience.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for someone who:

• Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment.
• Performs well under pressure.
• Is highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Takes ownership of their work.
• Learns new regulations quickly.
• Is dependable and accountable.
• Can prioritize multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Has a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Wants to build a long-term career with a growing company.

Work Environment

• Fast-paced office environment supporting multiple construction projects.
• High-volume payroll processing with strict compliance requirements.
• Overtime may be required during payroll processing and reporting deadlines.
• This is an on-site position; remote work is not available.

Why Join This Company?

This organization has built a reputation for long-term employee retention, continued growth, and investing in its people. As the company expands throughout California, this position offers the opportunity to become a key contributor within the accounting department while developing into a trusted payroll and compliance expert.

If you're looking for more than just another payroll position—and want to play an integral role in a growing organization where your expertise truly matters—we encourage you to apply.

Commitment to Diversity: As an equal opportunity employer committed to meeting the needs of a multi-generational and multicultural workforce, Key Staffing recognizes that a diverse staff, reflective of our community, is an integral and welcome part of a successful and ethical business. We hire local talent at all levels regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability and actively foster inclusion in all forms both within our company and across interactions with clients, candidates, and partners.