Certified Payroll Specialist

AWP Safety, Inc; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

401(k)

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Life insurance

Job summary

AWP Safety, Inc is seeking a Certified Payroll Specialist in California to prepare, audit, and submit certified payroll reports for prevailing wage projects. You will ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage laws, validate classifications and fringe calculations, and liaise with project teams and agencies to resolve issues.

This role requires 2–4 years of payroll experience and 1–2 years in certified payroll, preferably in construction or government contracting.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of payroll experience required.
• 1-2 years of certified payroll or prevailing wage compliance experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in construction, government contracting, public works, or similar regulated environments is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, audit, and submit weekly certified payroll reports (CPRs) for applicable projects.
• Ensure compliance with Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, state prevailing wage laws and wage determinations.
• Validate wage classifications, fringe allocations, shift differentials, and overtime/DBRA requirements.
• Maintain compliance with union agreements and proper worker classifications.
• Submit CPRs through required portals or via email/mail as needed.
• Review timesheets, job classifications, deductions, union status, and locations for accuracy.
• Coordinate with payroll, HR, and field teams to reconcile discrepancies.
• Identify and correct underpayments, overpayments, or missing information; issue corrections as needed.
• Act as liaison with project managers, payroll/HR, field leadership, billing, contractors, and agencies to clarify requirements.
• Provide support to employees regarding classifications and wage statements.
• Communicate with auditors and agencies about certification requirements and deadlines.
• Maintain organized records for CPR submissions, corrections, and wage determinations.
• Track submission deadlines and changes in reporting requirements.
• Collect and maintain subcontractor CPR documentation when required.
• Prepare documentation for audits and monitor compliance trends for improvements.
• Produce weekly/monthly reporting on submission status, deficiencies, and risks for leadership.

Skills

Certified payroll

Payroll processing

Compliance auditing

Attention to detail

Tools

LCP Tracker

Points North

UKG

ADP

Paycom

Job description

Company Description

AWP is North America's leading traffic control specialist. Our team of 9,000 professionals helps secure 2,000 + work zones every day - ensuring customer crews, drivers, and our own teams get home safely. We protect those who operate, maintain, and upgrade infrastructure in the energy, broadband, and transportation sectors and provide traffic control for major events like the Boston Marathon.

Since our founding in 1981, we have served customers through the talent of extraordinary team members committed to customer focus, growth, valuing each other, safety and quality, and a sense of urgency.

Job Description

The Certified Payroll Specialist is responsible for preparing, auditing, and submitting certified payroll reports for all prevailing wage projects in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role ensures accuracy of wage determinations, classifications, fringe calculations, and reporting while supporting internal teams, subcontractors, and external agencies. The ideal candidate has strong attention to detail, deep knowledge of prevailing wage requirements, and exceptional communication skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Certified Payroll Processing & Compliance

• Prepare, audit, and submit weekly certified payroll reports (CPRs) for all applicable federal, state, and local prevailing wage projects.
• Ensure compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, state prevailing wage laws (e.g., DIR), and contract-specific wage determinations.
• Validate wage classifications, fringe benefit allocations, shift differentials, and overtime/DBRA requirements.
• Maintain compliance with union agreements (if applicable) and proper worker classifications.
• Submit CPRs through LCP Tracker, Points North, and other required agency portals or via email/mail as needed.

Data Validation & Auditing

• Review employee timesheets, job classifications, deductions, union status, and work locations for accuracy before payroll processing.
• Reconcile discrepancies in hours, classifications, WC codes, and project reporting requirements by coordinating with payroll, HR, and field teams.
• Identify and correct underpayments, overpayments, or missing information; prepare correction documentation and reissue CPRs when needed.

Communication & Support

• Act as liaison with project managers, payroll/HR, field leadership, billing teams, general contractors, and government agencies to clarify requirements and resolve compliance issues.
• Provide support to employees regarding prevailing wage classifications, work hours, and wage statements.
• Communicate proactively with auditors and agencies about certification requirements, documentation needs, and deadlines.

Document Control & Recordkeeping

• Maintain organized electronic and physical records for CPR submissions, correction notices, affidavits, wage determinations, and supporting documents.
• Track weekly and monthly submission deadlines, expiration dates for wage determinations, and changes in reporting requirements.
• Collect, track, and maintain subcontractor certified payroll documentation when required.

Reporting & Audit Readiness

• Prepare documentation and reporting needed for internal and external audits; compile CPR history and compliance evidence upon request.
• Monitor compliance trends and recommend process improvements to reduce errors and rework.
• Produce weekly/monthly reporting on submission status, deficiencies, and compliance risks for leadership visibility.

Systems & Technical Responsibilities

• Utilize payroll and compliance platforms such as LCP Tracker, Points North, UKG, ADP, Paycom, or equivalent systems.
• Configure and maintain project setups, wage determinations, security controls, and contractor profiles in compliance portals.
• Troubleshoot upload failures, data validation issues, and file formatting errors.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• 2-4 years of payroll experience required.
• 1-2 years of certified payroll or prevailing wage compliance experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in construction, government contracting, public works, or a similar regulated environment highly desirable.

Compliance Knowledge

• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local prevailing wage regulations, including:
  • Davis-Bacon Act / DBRA
  • State prevailing wage regulations (such as DIR requirements)
  • Service Contract Act (if applicable)
  • Union agreements and craft classifications
  • Knowledge of WH-347 reporting, wage determinations, fringe benefit requirements, and correction protocols.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in LCP Tracker, Points North, or similar certified payroll systems.
• Experience using UKG, ADP, Paycom, or other payroll platforms.
• Strong Excel skills (lookups, filtering, pivot tables) and ability to handle large data sets.
• Ability to troubleshoot portal errors, system uploads, and data validation issues.

Analytical & Administrative Skills

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong auditing, reconciliation, and documentation skills.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines, multiple projects, and changing compliance requirements.
• Excellent organizational skills for maintaining detailed, audit-ready records.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, external agencies, general contractors, and employees.
• Professionalism and confidentiality when handling sensitive payroll information.

Additional Information

• Benefits-eligible 1st of the month following hire.
• All traditional benefits are offered, including 3 medical plan options and 2 dental plan options, as well as additional benefits such as Legal and Identity Shield, Accident, and Critical Illness
• Company paid 50k in basic life insurance.
• Company paid LTD.
• Health Savings and Flex Spending Accounts Available
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
• AWP named one of America's Greatest Workplaces 2023 and 2025 for Diversity

AWPSafety is anEqual Opportunity Employer (EOE). Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability.

AWP Safety is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.