Lead, Prevailing Wage Compliance Specialist

American Water•Camden, NJ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Leads administration and continuous improvement of Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) and Service Contract Act (SCA) prevailing-wage compliance across the MSG portfolio. Serves as the primary subject-matter resource and liaison among Contracts, installation teams, Human Resources, Finance, and other internal stakeholders. Interprets wage determinations and contract requirements; establishes and maintains compliance processes, controls, documentation, and training; recommends corrective actions; and escalates significant compliance risks to leadership to support accurate, timely, and consistent implementation across contracts and locations. Provides functional guidance to compliance specialists and operational stakeholders, reviews complex or escalated matters, coordinates work priorities, and promotes consistent compliance practices without direct supervisory responsibility. The role serves as the enterprise-wide functional lead for prevailing-wage compliance across applicable MSG contracts and locations, coordinating cross-functional implementation, advising stakeholders, supporting audit readiness and risk reduction, and providing subject-matter guidance. The position is based in Camden, New Jersey. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. core hours. After training and the probationary period, the role follows a hybrid 3:2 schedule. The work is in an office environment with regular computer and virtual-meeting use; coordination may span multiple locations and time zones. Travel of up to 10% may be required, including occasional visits to contract or installation locations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, labor relations, accounting, finance, contract administration, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in compliance, contract administration, human resources, labor standards, or a related field.
At least 5 years supporting prevailing-wage or government-contract labor compliance involving DBA and/or SCA requirements.
Experience interpreting wage determinations, conducting compliance audits, resolving complex pay or classification issues, and coordinating corrective actions across functions.
Advanced knowledge of DBA, SCA, prevailing-wage principles, wage determinations, employee classifications, and required fringe benefits.
Working knowledge of federal contracting requirements, recordkeeping obligations, audit practices, and corrective-action processes.
Knowledge of payroll and human resources processes affecting wages, benefits, classifications, and employee records.
Knowledge of compliance-program design, internal controls, risk assessment, policy development, and training practices.
Strong business writing, grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills.
Broad knowledge of organizational operations, policies, procedures, and cross-functional decision-making.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 applications.
Ability to interpret complex laws, regulations, contract clauses, and wage determinations and translate them into practical requirements.
Strong analytical, auditing, problem-solving, and data-validation skills, with close attention to detail.
Clear and effective written and verbal communication, presentation, listening, and report-writing skills.
Ability to prioritize competing deadlines, manage multiple workstreams, and produce accurate results independently.
Ability to influence, collaborate, and build effective relationships in a culturally and geographically diverse, multi-company matrix organization.
Strong interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, cooperation, consultation, and negotiation.
High initiative, sound judgment, professional discretion, and ability to safeguard confidential information.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing functional guidance, training, or work coordination is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day functional guidance to compliance specialists and operational stakeholders; review complex or escalated prevailing-wage matters; coordinate work priorities; and promote consistent compliance practices without direct supervisory responsibility.
Interpret and apply DBA, SCA, applicable U.S. Department of Labor requirements, contract clauses, wage determinations, and internal policies.
Review new and modified contracts and wage determinations with Federal Contracts, Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, and operations to identify required wage, fringe-benefit, classification, and effective-date changes.
Maintain current master wage determinations and related records for covered employees, contracts, and locations.
Track changes to minimum wages, prevailing wages, health and welfare rates, and other required fringe benefits; coordinate timely implementation and validation.
Conduct periodic audits of the DBA/SCA compliance program and supporting systems; document and communicate findings; recommend corrective actions; escalate material or recurring issues; and monitor remediation through completion.
Develop, update, and deliver compliance procedures, guidance, tools, and training for relevant stakeholders.
Maintain compliance activities and evidence within CrossComply or other designated systems of record.
Monitor regulatory and policy developments and assess potential impacts on MSG contracts, employees, processes, and controls.
Maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready documentation demonstrating compliance with prime-contract and subcontract obligations.
Support internal and external audits, inquiries, and corrective-action plans by compiling records, analyzing issues, and coordinating responses.
Perform other related duties as assigned.