Certified Payroll & DIR Compliance Specialist

The Certified Payroll & DIR Compliance Specialist manages all certified payroll and labor compliance requirements for California public works projects. This role ensures full adherence to California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) regulations, prevailing wage laws, Labor Code provisions, and applicable state, local, and federal requirements, including federal Davis-Bacon Act requirements when applicable. The specialist collaborates closely with project management, accounting, subcontractors, and labor compliance programs to deliver timely and accurate certified payroll reporting, apprenticeship compliance, and audit-ready documentation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, submit, and maintain Certified Payroll Records (CPRs) through the California DIR Public Works Portal.
• Ensure full compliance with California prevailing wage laws, DIR regulations, and Labor Code sections 1720–1815.
• Verify employee classifications, wage determinations, fringe benefits, deductions, and overtime calculations for accuracy and compliance.
• Submit certified payrolls on time in accordance with DIR and awarding agency requirements.
• Identify, research, resolve, and document payroll discrepancies, underpayments, corrections, and restitution.
• Monitor compliance with California apprenticeship requirements and ratios on public works projects.
• Track apprentice registrations, dispatches, and required DAS documentation.
• Coordinate with subcontractors regarding apprenticeship participation, exemptions, and required payments.
• Support the resolution of DAS or DIR findings related to apprenticeship compliance.
• Manage labor compliance for California state, county, city, school district, and federally funded public works projects.
• Submit and track payroll and compliance data through DIR, LCPtracker, eCPR, or other agency-designated systems.
• Coordinate with awarding agencies and Labor Compliance Programs (LCPs) to meet project-specific requirements.
• Respond to DIR, LCP, or agency inquiries, audits, and enforcement actions in a timely and professional manner.
• Assist with project closeout by preparing and submitting labor compliance documentation and certifications.
• Collect, review, and monitor subcontractor certified payroll submissions for DIR compliance.
• Verify that subcontractors are properly registered with DIR and maintain active public works registration.
• Provide guidance and support to subcontractors on prevailing wage, DIR reporting, and labor compliance requirements.
• Follow up on missing, late, or non-compliant subcontractor payroll submissions and document corrective actions.
• Maintain organized, detailed, and audit-ready payroll and compliance records in accordance with DIR retention requirements.
• Track submission deadlines and compliance status across all active public works projects.
• Generate internal compliance reports for accounting and project management teams.
• Support internal audits and external labor compliance reviews related to certified payroll and public works requirements.

• At least 2+ years of hands-on experience with California certified payroll and DIR compliance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of California prevailing wage laws and public works requirements.
• Experience submitting Certified Payroll Records (CPRs) through the California DIR Public Works Portal.
• Familiarity with California Labor Code sections 1720–1815 and related DIR regulations.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple compliance deadlines across numerous projects.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with project teams, accounting staff, subcontractors, and public agencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and payroll or compliance systems.
• Experience working for a California general contractor on public works projects.
• Familiarity with LCPtracker, eCPR, or similar labor compliance platforms.
• Working knowledge of both union and non-union payroll environments.
• Experience supporting DIR audits, investigations, or enforcement actions.
• Understanding of federal Davis-Bacon requirements for federally funded projects in California.
• Experience auditing subcontractor certified payroll reports, including managing reviews for 40 or more subcontractors at a time.
• Strong public works experience with both state and federal requirements related to audits, compliance, labor codes, prevailing wage, certified payroll, DIR records, non-compliance resolution, and apprenticeship compliance, including DAS documentation.

• Experience using LCPtracker, eCPR, or other electronic certified payroll reporting systems.
• General contractor experience working in a prevailing wage environment on California public works projects.
• Comfort working with large volumes of data and documentation across multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for responding to agencies, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Proactive problem-solving approach to identifying and resolving compliance issues before they escalate.

The specialist works as part of the accounting team alongside a small, collaborative group of approximately five team members. The role involves close partnership with accounting leadership and payroll functions, using tools such as Microsoft Excel, payroll systems, and labor compliance platforms like LCPtracker and eCPR. The organization offers health benefits, a 401(k) plan with employer match, and dedicated paid time off for volunteering at community events or field trips. The culture emphasizes growth opportunities, a strong track record of internal advancement, and a friendly, team-oriented environment with regular employee events and activities, such as office competitions and social gatherings.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rocklin, CA.

The pay range for this position is $34.46 - $43.26/hr.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Rocklin,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 17, 2026.

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® double diamond 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.