Payroll Specialist III

Compensation

$43-$48 hourly

Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies. Today, we are a 100% employee‑owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we’ve been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.

Our employee‑owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience.

Encinitas / San Diego

Finance

On‑site*

Dudek is seeking a meticulous and organized Payroll Specialist to support accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across multiple states. This role requires hands‑on payroll expertise, including weighted average overtime, wait time rules, multi‑state taxation, and end‑to‑end payment processing. You’ll partner closely with Accounting, Benefits, and HR to deliver seamless payroll operations and exceptional service. We’re looking for someone who values accuracy, collaboration, and payroll as a long‑term career.

As an employee‑owner, you embrace accountability, work safely, and collaborate while thinking resourcefully and independently. Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution‑oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation.

You’ll support accurate payroll processing across multiple states, work with Accounting, Benefits, and HR, and help ensure compliance.

• Work Environment: This role will be on‑site for the first 90 days after which eligibility for hybrid work will be reevaluated.

• Payroll Processing:
  Oversee and execute end‑to‑end payroll processing for 900+ employees accurately and by deadline. Efficiently review and validate payroll data for completeness and accuracy. Ensure timecards are compliant and submitted by employees prior to payment processing. Process payroll adjustments, missed payments, salary changes, bonuses, gift cards, and other payments. Manage complex payroll issues and resolve discrepancies thoroughly and promptly.
• Payroll Compliance:
  Engage current payroll tax and mandates to all facets of the payroll payment process, impounds, reporting, distribution and filings. Detail processing of voids, reissues, and stop payments to ensure the proper impact on the tax documents. Reconcile, enter, and approve payroll entries, labor detail, and checks to the general ledger in correlation to the monthly accounting schedule.
• Taxation and Reporting:
  Understand and review the federal and multiple state payroll tax requirements and mandates. Maintain timely reviews, reconciliations, escalations, and payment processing to various tax agencies. Ensure tax records are updated and organized within the payroll digital library and designated portals. Process registration forms, SUI rate updates, POAs and agency notices. Review quarterly and annual filings for any discrepancies. Apply the proper payroll taxation in accordance with IRS regulations for various payment types.
• Audits and Documentation:
  Prepare for and assist leadership with payroll audits, such as Benefit, Labor Detail, Workers’ Comp and 401k annual audits. Ensure requested documentation and records are readily available and managed. Maintain thorough documentation associated with all collaborations with third‑party administrators and internal departments. Cooperate with various audits by consolidating data requested timely to meet periodic, quarterly, and annual audit deadlines.
• Communication:
  Interaction with outside entities, government agencies, third‑party administrators, and insurance companies is required for research, reporting or processing. Work as the liaison between payroll and other internal departments to ensure employee data remains in‑sync between all business functional systems.…