Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

You'll come for a job…but you'll stay for an exciting career! Engineering and designing reliable, responsive solutions. Since 1976, Cannon has provided creative solutions to clients in the energy industry, water resources, public infrastructure, and commercial and residential development. We work hard. We play hard. We have fun.

Join Cannon as a Payroll Specialist in San Luis Obispo. San Luis Obispo is on the beautiful central coast of California, has temperate weather, scenic beaches, is surrounded by the wine country, and offers endless recreational opportunities.

Payroll Specialist Job Summary

The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for processing payroll, managing timekeeping systems, and ensuring all payroll data is accurate and compliant. The ideal candidate has strong attention to detail and the ability to independently manage payroll processes while communicating effectively with employees, leadership, accounting, and external agencies.

This is an on-site position and does not have the flexibility to work remotely.

Job Duties

• Processes full-cycle payroll (bi-weekly) for both salaried and hourly employees using Paylocity, our HCM payroll software provider.
• Conducts weekly audits of payroll and timekeeping data to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Verifies, corrects, and maintains timekeeping records, including entering time of and resolving discrepancies.
• Issues and records adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.
• Administers employee data management processes, including the accurate entry, verification, and maintenance of personnel, compensation, tax, and payroll-related information within ERP, HRIS, and payroll systems.
• Processes employee data changes in the ERP and payroll systems, including new hires, terminations, promotions, compensation changes, and benefits-related updates.
• Assists management and reconciliation of accrual balances monthly.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for payroll-related questions from employees and managers.
• Communicates directly with Paylocity support to troubleshoot and resolve system or payroll issues.
• Creates and maintains reports, workflows, and policies within Paylocity.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and internal policies.
• Communicates with state tax agencies and payroll providers regarding account setup, tax notices, and rate changes.
• Supports payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with HR and accounting as needed.
• Processes and reviews prevailing wage certified payroll reports (DIR, LCPTracker, or similar systems) bi-weekly.
• Audits prevailing wage determinations from the DIR and updates changes in our ERP system.
• Ensures compliance with Davis-Bacon Act and California DIR requirements.

Requirements

• Works in-office, 32 hours per week, between the hours of 8:00am - 5:00pm.
• 3–5+ years of payroll experience, including full-cycle payroll processing.
• Strong knowledge of prevailing wage laws and compliance requirements.
• Proven experience administering and processing payroll through HCM and payroll software platforms (e.g., ADP, Paycor, Paylocity), including employee data management, payroll audits, and compliance with applicable payroll regulations.
• Strong understanding of payroll compliance, California wage and hour laws, and tax regulations.
• Experience in auditing payroll and timekeeping data with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to troubleshoot payroll issues and manage corrections independently.
• Experience communicating with state tax agencies and handling payroll-related notices.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively support employees, leadership, and accounting teams.
• High level of organization, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Experience with Paylocity is preferred, but not required.

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits package, and an active and positive team building, work environment.

Cannon is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age.