Certified Payroll Administrator

Certified Payroll Administrator - This person must be local to California**
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Certified Payroll Administrator to oversee prevailing wage compliance activities for public works projects throughout California. This role is responsible for administering certified payroll processes, monitoring labor compliance requirements, supporting subcontractor onboarding, and ensuring all project documentation is submitted accurately and on time. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and experienced navigating California public works compliance requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Certified Payroll Administration
Coordinate all certified payroll activities for public works projects subject to prevailing wage regulations.
Review contract documents and agency requirements to determine reporting obligations, required forms, submission deadlines, and compliance standards.
Establish and maintain project compliance records and tracking systems from project initiation through closeout.
Manage contractor and subcontractor onboarding, ensuring all required compliance documentation is obtained prior to commencement of work.
Configure subcontractors within agency-mandated reporting platforms, including labor compliance tracking systems.
Compliance Monitoring & Reporting
Audit weekly certified payroll submissions for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to prevailing wage requirements.
Identify payroll discrepancies, compliance concerns, or reporting errors and work directly with subcontractors to resolve deficiencies.
Maintain ongoing oversight of payroll records, supporting documentation, certifications, and recurring compliance obligations.
Track submission deadlines and enforce timely completion of required reports and documentation.
Monitor subcontractor compliance status and communicate outstanding requirements to project stakeholders.
Stakeholder Support & Communication
Serve as a primary resource for subcontractors regarding certified payroll reporting, labor compliance requirements, and system usage.
Provide training, troubleshooting assistance, and guidance related to payroll reporting platforms and agency regulations.
Collaborate with project managers, operations personnel, accounting teams, and external contractors to ensure compliance expectations are met.
Escalate compliance risks and unresolved issues to appropriate parties before project deadlines are impacted.
Documentation & Recordkeeping
Maintain organized electronic and physical records in accordance with company and agency requirements.
Monitor contractor licenses, insurance certificates, and business registrations to ensure credentials remain current.
Assist with agency reviews, internal audits, client requests, and compliance investigations by preparing supporting documentation.
Collect and verify closeout documentation at project completion and confirm all regulatory obligations have been satisfied prior to project closure.
Continuous Improvement
Remain informed of updates to California prevailing wage regulations, DIR reporting requirements, and labor compliance technologies.
Recommend process improvements that enhance compliance accuracy, reporting efficiency, and record management.
Support additional administrative and compliance-related initiatives as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Experience
4+ years of experience administering certified payroll programs.
Direct experience supporting California public works projects and prevailing wage compliance.
Experience working with LCPtracker and DIR
Strong understanding of California labor compliance regulations, prevailing wage requirements, and public agency reporting standards.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and related business applications.
Background within construction, engineering, infrastructure, or public works organizations.
Having worked with 10 + concurrent projects at a time.
Preferred Qualifications
CPP (Certified Payroll Professional)
Training, certification, or coursework related to labor compliance, public works administration, construction management, or a related field.
Key Competencies
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
Effective written and verbal communication abilities.
Ability to independently research regulatory requirements and resolve compliance issues.
Collaborative approach to working with internal teams, clients, subcontractors, and government agencies.
Strong customer service mindset with the ability to build productive working relationships
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Anaheim, CA.
Pay And Benefits
The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $45.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 8, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Work arrangement
Yes