Certified Payroll Clerk - Orange County, CA

OHLA USA; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

OHLA USA is seeking an experienced Certified Payroll Specialist in California to ensure compliance with prevailing wage laws, DIR requirements, and project labor agreements. The role involves auditing certified payrolls, coordinating with subcontractors and unions, and maintaining accurate labor compliance records for public works projects.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of California labor compliance experience, proficient in LCPtracker, and capable of working in a fast-paced environment

Qualifications

• .
• 3–5 years of labor compliance experience on California Public Works.
• Knowledge of California DIR and Davis-Bacon Act.
• Experience administering Project Labor Agreements (PLA).
• Experience reviewing certified payroll reports for compliance.
• Experience working with subcontractors, government agencies, auditors, and unions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure employees are paid prevailing wages per DIR, Davis-Bacon Act, and union agreements.
• Review certified payroll reports for compliance with wage laws and contract requirements.
• Administer labor compliance for public works and PLA projects.
• Utilize LCPtracker to review and maintain payroll records.
• Monitor apprentice-to-journey worker ratios and ensure registrations.
• Verify fringe benefit contributions per wage determinations and union agreements.
• Resolve compliance issues with subcontractors, auditors, and project teams.
• Prepare labor compliance documentation and regulatory filings.
• Stay current on changes to California labor laws and DIR requirements.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Excel

Time management

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/HR/Construction

Associate's degree preferred

Tools

LCPtracker

Job description

Overview

Who is OHLA USA?

We are a company who believes in building a better, safer, more sustainable world for generations to come. We are committed to making a difference within our communities, who depend on the safety and reliability of the structures we build and is possible with our main asset, our people!

OHLA USA brings together the construction industry's most diverse talent who thrive in a collaborative work environment and appreciate challenges and opportunities.

We are seeking an experienced Certified Payroll Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years of California labor compliance experience, with a strong understanding of prevailing wage requirements, Public Works projects, Project Labor Agreements (PLA), and labor compliance reporting. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, state, local, and contractual labor regulations while serving as a key liaison between subcontractors, unions, auditors, and project teams.

Responsibilities

• Ensure employees are paid the correct prevailing wages in accordance with the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), Davis-Bacon Act, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and project requirements.
• Review and monitor certified payroll reports for compliance with prevailing wage laws and contract requirements.
• Administer labor compliance requirements for public works and Project Labor Agreement (PLA) projects.
• Utilize LCPtracker to review, monitor, and maintain certified payroll records and labor compliance documentation.
• Monitor apprentice-to-journey worker ratios and verify that apprentices, including subcontractor and vendor apprentices, are properly registered with applicable California and federal apprenticeship programs.
• Verify fringe benefit contributions and ensure proper payment in accordance with prevailing wage determinations and union agreements.
• Resolve labor compliance issues with subcontractors, clients, government auditors, union representatives, and internal project teams.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve compliance issues while providing recommendations to management.
• Prepare and maintain labor compliance documentation, reports, and regulatory filings.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), and applicable federal, state, and local labor regulations.
• Conduct audits of certified payroll records and supporting documentation to identify discrepancies and ensure timely resolution.
• Maintain accurate records and support internal and external compliance audits.
• Stay current on changes to California labor laws, prevailing wage determinations, DIR requirements, and Davis-Bacon regulations.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of labor compliance experience supporting California Public Works projects.
• Working knowledge of California prevailing wage laws, California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) requirements, and the Davis-Bacon Act.
• Experience administering Project Labor Agreements (PLA).
• Experience using LCPtracker or similar labor compliance software.
• Knowledge of certified payroll reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with union collective bargaining agreements and fringe benefit requirements.
• Experience working with subcontractors, government agencies, auditors, and union representatives.
• Ability to interpret labor compliance regulations and contractual requirements.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment preferred.

Required Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); Access experience is a plus.
• Ability to quickly learn new software applications and labor compliance systems.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• High level of accuracy with both numerical and written data.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain confidential information.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Strong work ethic, initiative, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with LCPtracker.
• Experience administering labor compliance for Project Labor Agreement (PLA) projects.
• Knowledge of California DIR Public Works compliance requirements.
• Understanding of certified payroll audits and prevailing wage enforcement.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Construction Management, or a related field is preferred but not required with equivalent experience.

To learn more about OHLA USA, visit our website www.ohla-usa.com

Compensation: The base hourly rate being offered for this position is USD $28.00 per hour to USD $36.00 per hour. Please note that the salary range listed is specific to the role listed in California. Hourly rates may vary for different individuals in the same role based on various factors including, but not limited to, experience, education, and performance.

OHLA ADA Message

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will require the ability to freely access all points of a construction site in wide-ranging climates and environments. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; Employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud noise.

OHLA EEO Message

OHLA USA and its affiliates are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

OHLA USA and its subsidiaries (“OHLA”) shall not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to OHLA or an employee of OHLA, by mail, electronically, or otherwise will be considered OHLA property. OHLA will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. OHLA will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred to by the Agency free of any charges or fees. OHLA Human Resources is the only authorized representative of OHLA to execute any agreements with search firms or staffing agencies. As a condition for payment, a Vendor shall have OHLA USA Inc.’s Personnel Agreement and a Job Order signed by an authorized OHLA HR representative. Verbal or written communications from any employee of OHLA and its subsidiaries shall not be considered binding obligations. All resumes, whether unsolicited or solicited, shall be the property of OHLA.

Minimum Salary

USD $28.00/Hr.

Maximum Salary

USD $36.00/Hr.