Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist (Long-Term Contract)

Oakland, CA (Hybrid Schedule)

We're partnering with a growing organization seeking a Payroll Specialist for a long-term contract opportunity. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a detailed, compliance-driven environment and has strong experience with prevailing wage, certified payroll, and multi-state payroll processing. You'll play a key role in ensuring accurate, timely payroll while supporting complex requirements tied to public works and government-funded projects.

• Manage full-cycle payroll (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly) for a multi-state workforce
• Review timesheets, earnings, deductions, and adjustments for accuracy
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage & hour laws (including CA regulations)
• Perform payroll audits and resolve discrepancies proactively
• Partner with HR on employee changes, onboarding, and terminations
• Maintain accurate payroll records and support audit requests

• Research and apply correct prevailing wage rates, including fringe, subsistence, and classifications
• Prepare and submit certified payroll reports in compliance with applicable regulations
• Track and apply updates to wage determinations and project requirements
• Partner with project teams to ensure proper coding and compliance across jobs
• Manage reporting and remittance of training funds and benefit contributions

• Process payroll for employees on international assignments
• Handle complex compensation elements (allowances, tax equalization, etc.)
• Support shadow payroll and ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions
• Coordinate with external advisors on global tax reporting and filings

• Process and reconcile payroll taxes across multiple states
• Handle filings, payments, and year-end reporting (W-2s and global forms)
• Respond to tax notices and maintain agency relationships
• Generate payroll reports and support system improvements

• 5+ years of payroll experience, with strong California payroll knowledge
• Hands-on experience with prevailing wage, certified payroll, and rate sourcing
• Experience supporting expatriate payroll and multi-state tax compliance
• Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now and strong Excel skills
• High attention to detail with strong communication skills

• CPP certification
• Background in construction, public works, or similar industries
• Experience managing complex, multi-state payroll environments

This is a great opportunity to join a collaborative team in a role that offers both complexity and impact. If you're looking for your next long-term project, I'd love to connect!

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting.

The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present you as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the…