Payroll Specialist

Helix Electric•San Diego, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist serves in a strategic supportive role within the Payroll Dept. This role joins a group of payroll specialists in a fast-paced, time-sensitive, and results-oriented Department to provide accurate processing of payroll. This position requires a self-starter that performs at a high level under strict recurring deadlines. This role requires an individual that has attention to detail, is deadline driven, the ability to foster an environment of continuous improvement, keep updated on payroll tax laws and be a team player. The position will work closely with HR, Accounting, Labor Compliance, IT, and Operations Departments.

Requirements

3-5 years of payroll experience, including at least 1-2 years supporting prevailing wage and certified payroll reporting.
Experience processing full-cycle, in-house payroll in a high-volume weekly multi-state payroll for hourly and salaried employees.
Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, payroll taxation, and payroll best practices.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting functions.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee information.
Effective written and verbal communication skills with a customer-service-oriented approach.
Associate or bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent work experience considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience with California prevailing wage requirements and certified payroll reporting preferred.
Experience with California public works projects and Davis-Bacon Act compliance.
Familiarity with prevailing wage classifications, fringe benefit calculations, apprenticeship requirements, and labor compliance reporting.
Experience preparing and submitting certified payroll reports through LCPtracker or similar reporting platforms.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification is a plus.
Experience in construction, engineering, utility, infrastructure, or specialty contracting environments.

Responsibilities

Process weekly multi-state payroll for 3,000+ exempt, non-exempt, salary, and hourly employees while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely payroll execution.
Review payroll data and audit employee transactions, including new hires, terminations, tax updates, and direct deposit changes within UKG.
Audit, validate, and process employee timecards through UKG Workforce Management, ensuring proper coding, labor allocation, and project costing.
Coordinate with Human Resources and Benefits teams to ensure accurate employee onboarding, employment changes, and data integration between HRIS and payroll systems.
Process manual and off-cycle payroll transactions, including termination payouts, prevailing wage adjustments, missed wages, retroactive pay, and correction payments.
Administer and maintain employee garnishments, tax levies, and child support orders in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Ensure employees working on public works and federally funded projects are compensated in accordance with California Prevailing Wage requirements and Davis-Bacon Act wage determinations, including proper worker classifications, apprenticeship requirements, fringe benefit calculations, and labor compliance reporting.
Ensure compliance with Davis-Bacon Act requirements and applicable state prevailing wage regulations by reviewing wage determinations, validating worker classifications, auditing fringe benefit contributions, and verifying employees are compensated in accordance with project-specific labor compliance requirements.
Prepare, audit, and submit weekly certified payroll reports through LCPtracker, ensuring compliance with California Prevailing Wage requirements, Davis-Bacon Act requirements, apprenticeship reporting, and project-specific labor compliance standards.
Partner with project teams, field operations, and compliance personnel to resolve payroll and labor compliance discrepancies.
Perform payroll reconciliations related to earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, labor distributions, benefit contributions, and certified payroll reporting.
Assist with responses to internal and external audits, labor compliance reviews, and government agency inquiries.
Research and resolve employee payroll questions, issues, and discrepancies while providing a high level of customer service.
Maintain compliance with evolving federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including California wage and hour laws.
Support special projects, process improvements, system testing, and payroll-related initiatives as assigned.