Prevailing Wage Specialist

Trane Technologies•Davidson, NC

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Certified Payroll / Prevailing Wage Specialist is responsible for ensuring full compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act, state prevailing wage laws, and project-specific reporting requirements. This role oversees the preparation, audit, and submission of certified payroll reports across multiple states for both union and non-union workforces. The Specialist serves as a subject matter expert to internal teams, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance. In addition, this role requires strong analytical and technical capability to manage, mine, interpret, and audit large payroll and compliance-related data sets, primarily in Excel. The ideal candidate will bring advanced spreadsheet skills, experience with macros and VBA modules, and a process improvement mindset that helps strengthen team capability and operational efficiency.

Requirements

Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to interpret complex wage determinations and compliance requirements.
Advanced ability to work with large data sets, including extracting, organizing, reconciling, and auditing information for accuracy and compliance.
Strong Excel proficiency, including formulas, pivot tables, lookups, conditional logic, and spreadsheet-based audit techniques.
Working knowledge of Excel macros and VBA modules, including the ability to run, review, and support macro-enabled processes.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues, investigate root causes, and implement practical solutions.
Demonstrated process improvement capability, with the ability to recommend and support enhancements that improve accuracy, efficiency, and team performance.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of employee compensation, personnel records, and proprietary project information.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Flexibility to perform additional responsibilities as needed in support of payroll operations and compliance functions.
Ability to contribute positively to team development by sharing knowledge, improving tools, and enhancing overall team capability.
Proven hands-on experience with Certified Payroll reporting, including Davis-Bacon requirements, state prevailing wage laws, and electronic CPR systems.
High school diploma or GED required; a minimum of two (2) years of administrative experience required.
Ability to read, understand, and interpret wage determinations, project specifications, and regulatory requirements.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with managers, employees, subcontractors, and compliance agencies.
Demonstrated ability to meet strict weekly deadlines and manage time-sensitive compliance responsibilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex requirements clearly and professionally.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, including experience working with large data sets and spreadsheet-driven analysis.

Nice To Haves

Experience using macros and familiarity with VBA modules strongly preferred.
Experience identifying and implementing process improvements in payroll, reporting, or compliance workflows preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare, review, and submit weekly Certified Payroll Reports (CPRs) for multiple states in compliance with federal, state, and local prevailing wage requirements.
Perform detailed audits of CPRs, including Statements of Compliance, Wage and Hour Records, Deduction Records, and Fringe Benefit Records, to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Verify that all required information, including dates, signatures, job classifications, and project details, is complete and compliant with applicable regulations.
Ensure employees are paid accurately in accordance with wage determinations, job classifications, fringe benefit requirements, and locality-specific wage schedules.
Audit payroll calculations for accuracy, including project gross wages, weekly gross wages, approved deductions, and net pay.
Investigate and resolve issues such as missing payrolls, discrepancies identified through interviews or field observations, and requests for proof of payment or employee verification.
Utilize electronic certified payroll reporting systems, including but not limited to LCP tracker, eMars, and other state-specific platforms.
Analyze and audit large volumes of payroll, labor, and compliance data to identify discrepancies, trends, root causes, and areas of risk.
Use advanced Excel functions, formulas, pivot tables, lookups, data validation, and reporting tools to support payroll analysis and compliance review.
Run, maintain, and troubleshoot Excel macros and demonstrate a working understanding of VBA modules to support reporting, auditing, and workflow efficiency.
Identify opportunities for process improvement, standardization, and automation within payroll and compliance operations.
Partner with internal stakeholders to improve reporting accuracy, streamline workflows, and enhance team effectiveness.
Serve as a problem solver for complex payroll and compliance issues, using strong judgment and analytical thinking to recommend effective solutions.
Support additional payroll and compliance-related administrative duties as assigned.