Payroll Specialist

Role Description

The Payroll Specialist supports payroll processing and certified payroll compliance across a growing, multi-state workforce. This role partners closely with the Accounting Manager to ensure accurate and timely weekly and biweekly payroll processing, prevailing wage compliance, certified payroll reporting, and maintenance of payroll records and systems.

The Payroll Specialist plays a critical role in supporting union and non-union payroll administration, Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage compliance, certified payroll reporting, and related documentation requirements. The ideal candidate combines strong attention to detail with a customer-service mindset, the ability to interpret payroll and labor compliance requirements, and a willingness to learn new systems and processes in a fast-paced environment.

Core Accountabilities

• Prevailing Wage and Certified Payroll Compliance
  • Complete certified payroll reports and related compliance filings in multiple systems
  • Understand and apply prevailing wage rules, fringe benefits, and apprentice standards
  • Request and maintain required documentation, including:
    • Collective Bargaining Agreements
    • Apprentice Standards / Appendix A
    • Apprentice Certificates
  • Understand IRA compliance and Davis-Bacon requirements
  • Use SAM.gov and other resources to look up prevailing wage rates
  • Support OCIP reporting as needed
• Payroll Processing
  • Assist in managing weekly payroll review, including:
    • Reviewing and verifying time records for accuracy and completeness for weekly and bi-weekly payrolls of 200+ employees
    • Working with employees and management to process modifications and make timecard adjustments/corrections
    • Applying applicable per diem, drive time, and mileage based on company policy
  • Correctly set up projects into the payroll system using information from Monday.com and SharePoint
  • Help maintain payroll software setup to ensure jobs, rates, unions, and employee information are accurate
  • Assist with state payroll tax setup and related payroll compliance requirements
• Software and Systems
  • Experience with the following is preferred:
    • Lumber Payroll
    • QuickBooks Online
    • Monday.com
    • Microsoft Excel
    • LCP Tracker

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two (2) or more years of payroll administration, payroll compliance, accounting, or related experience.
• Experience working with payroll software and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience processing payroll for a multi-state workforce.
• Experience with union payroll administration.
• Experience preparing and submitting certified payroll reports.
• Knowledge of Davis-Bacon Act requirements, prevailing wage regulations, fringe benefits, and apprentice standards.
• Experience with LCP Tracker, WH-347 reporting, Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) reporting, or similar compliance systems.
• Experience with Lumber Payroll, QuickBooks Online, Monday.com, or similar business systems.
• Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and union reporting requirements.
• Experience supporting OCIP reporting and compliance.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of payroll processing principles, payroll taxes, wage and hour requirements, and payroll recordkeeping practices.
• Ability to interpret prevailing wage determinations, collective bargaining agreements, apprentice standards, and related compliance requirements.
• Ability to research and verify wage rates using government and industry resources, including SAM.gov.
• Ability to accurately review, reconcile, and audit payroll and compliance data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including sorting, filtering, formulas, and data validation.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation in multiple systems.
• Strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with employees, managers, contractors, unions, and government agencies.
• Ability to identify issues, recommend solutions, and follow through to resolution.
• Ability to learn new software applications, processes, and compliance requirements quickly.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

Benefits

• Health and Life Insurance
• Vision
• Dental
• PTO
• 401(k)