Payroll Specialist

The Wesson Group; City of Johnstown (NY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Hybrid work

Bonuses

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

The Wesson Group, LLC is growing and seeking a Payroll Specialist to join our close-knit team in Johnstown, NY. We value safety, integrity, and a culture of ownership through our ESOP. This role focuses on payroll administration, compliance, and reporting, with collaboration across HR and Finance.

We offer a hybrid work schedule (3 days in office / 2 remote), a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities to grow within a 100% employee-owned company.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field.
• 3–5 years of payroll or related accounting experience; construction payroll preferred.
• Knowledge of payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and compliance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with ADP/Paychex or similar payroll systems.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and customer service; ability to handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, process, and review payroll in coordination with the Payroll Manager.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws.
• Maintain payroll records, including employee data, withholdings, and deductions.
• Generate and distribute regular and ad-hoc payroll reports.
• Assist with quarterly and year-end payroll tax filings (W-2, 1095).
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay and payroll procedures.
• Support audits with payroll data and documentation.
• Assist with direct deposit pre-notifications and data integrity.
• Collaborate with HR and Finance to ensure proper data flow.
• Suggest process improvements to enhance payroll efficiency and accuracy.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Discretion with confidential data

Organizational skills

Education

Associate’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or related degree

Tools

ADP

Paychex

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join The Wesson Group — Together We Grow

Payroll Specialist

The Wesson Group, LLC is growing and seeking a motivated individual to join our close-knit team. With over four decades of experience, our team delivers heavy civil and renewable energy design-build excellence. We specialize in sustainable solutions for wind, solar, marine, infrastructure, heavy civil, and transportation. Headquartered in Johnstown, NY, our work ranges throughout Western, Central, and Northern NY. Our unwavering commitment to safety, excellence, transparency, and stakeholder collaboration positions people at the heart of everything we do.

At The Wesson Group, you’re more than just a number - you’re part of a team that puts safety and family first. We take pride in our work and support each other with respect and professionalism. In the field, you work with colleagues who take pride in the project. You will work in a respectful environment with top-tier experienced professionals dedicated to superior quality. Across the board - whether you are a veteran, a mid-career professional or just starting out, the Wesson Group offers a place to grow and excel.

The Wesson Group is proud to be a 100% employee-owned company. Through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), employees directly benefit from the company's success, creating a culture where every team member thinks like an owner and contributes to building something lasting. The Payroll Specialist will support the Payroll Manager in ensuring accurate and timely processing of payroll for all employees. This role focuses on payroll administration, compliance, and reporting while providing exceptional service to employees. The Payroll Specialist will also assist in audits, system maintenance, and special projects as needed. This position is located in our main office in Johnstown NY and is a corporate report directly to our Payroll Manager. This position will report in a matrix to our Controller and CFO.

Position Duties

• Prepare, process, and review payroll in coordination with the Payroll Manager.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws.
• Maintain payroll records, including employee data, tax withholdings, and deductions.
• Generate and distribute regular and ad-hoc payroll reports.
• Assist with quarterly and year-end payroll tax filings, including W-2 and 1095 forms.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, and payroll procedures.
• Support audits by providing payroll data and documentation.
• Manage direct deposit pre-notifications as needed.
• Work with HR and Finance to ensure proper flow of employee data.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance payroll efficiency and accuracy.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in business, Finance, Accounting, or related degree AND
• 3-5 years of payroll or related accounting experience, construction payroll experience preferred
• Experience in lieu of education is acceptable
• Knowledge of payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and compliance requirements
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Paychex, or similar) preferred
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills
• Excellent communication and customer service skillsAbility to handle confidential information with discretion

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $75,000-$80,000
• 100% Employee-Owned Company (ESOP)
• Hybrid work schedule of 3 days in office/2 remote after initial training period
• Position eligible for Company Performance Bonuses
• Comprehensive Health, Rx, Vision, and Dental package
• Supplemental 401(k) with company match
• Company paid Supplemental Life Insurance, Short/Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan Repayment Plan or Tuition Assistance
• Generous Paid Time Off