Senior Payroll Specialist (Prevailing Wage)

Job description :

UNICO Engineering provides high quality Construction Management, Land Surveying, and Systems Integration services to public and private clients. With a spirit of cooperation and partnership, UNICO focuses on responsiveness, delivering value, and meeting and exceeding our clients' expectations.

UNICO is a fast-growing consulting firm with significant opportunities for upward mobility. UNICO supports professional development and continuing education. Fun, flexible work environment and competitive compensation and benefits. Please send your resume with detailed experience. Include job references for past employment and experience

Responsibilities :

UNICO is seeking a motivated Senior Payroll & Labor Compliance Specialist to join our team. This role combines two key functions :

• Internal Payroll – processing and maintaining accurate payroll for UNICO employees.
• Labor Compliance – ensuring contractors and subcontractors meet state and federal prevailing wage requirements on public works projects.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with prevailing wage compliance, payroll processing, and construction industry labor regulations. This position will be responsible for establishing, streamlining, and maintaining compliance with department policies, procedures, and risk management controls.

Internal Payroll Specialist Responsibilities :

Set up and maintain employee records in Unanet (time tracking) and Paylocity (payroll).

Process bi-weekly payroll, including prevailing wage hours on public projects.

Manage earnings codes, tax schedules, deductions (insurance, 401k, garnishments, reimbursements, bonuses, PTO accruals, etc.).

Review and process weekly timesheets, PTO requests, and payroll change forms.

Work with HR on employee onboarding, promotions, and terminations.

Reconcile payroll to the general ledger and support financial audits.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.

Prepare and assist with year-end reporting (W-2, 1099, ACA forms).

Maintain strict confidentiality and safeguard employee payroll data.

Provide employees with payroll support (paycheck questions, deductions, PTO balances).

Continuously improving payroll processes for efficiency and compliance.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Requirements :

6-10 years of experience in payroll processing, prevailing wage compliance, or public works labor compliance.

Knowledge of federal and state labor regulations (DIR, Davis-Bacon Act, Caltrans LAPM preferred).

Familiarity with certified payroll systems and labor compliance audits.

Experience with payroll software (Paylocity, Unanet a plus).

Strong organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel required); experience with Bluebeam REVU a plus.

Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).

Ability to travel to project sites in California as needed.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Job Type : Full-time

Pay : $35.00 - $45.00 per hour

Expected hours : 40 per week

Benefits :

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Referral program

Vision insurance

Application Question(s) :

Do you have previous experience using Paylocity?

Do you have experience processing payroll for 100 employees or more?

Education :

Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience :

payroll processing : 6 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate :

Folsom, CA 95630 : Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location : In person

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