Payroll Administrator

At Colas Construction (COLAS), we believe every employee plays a vital role in our mission: to build legacies and strengthen communities. We value collaboration, adaptability, and a team-first mindset.

We are seeking a qualified Payroll Administrator who will ensure employees are paid accurately and on time, and that payroll, labor, and compliance records are complete and audit-ready. Reporting to the Payroll Manager, this position processes payroll across company entities for union and non-union employees. It validates time and labor data, prepares certified payroll and union trust reports, reconciles payroll accounts, and supports employees with payroll questions.

The role applies established procedures, collective bargaining agreements, wage determinations, and regulatory requirements. It resolves routine discrepancies and escalates anything that needs interpretation or approval.

• Process payroll accurately and on schedule, including off-cycle, correction, and final pay within legal deadlines.
• Review and resolve timekeeping exceptions before payroll is finalized, including hours, rates, classifications, and job and cost-code allocations.
• Maintain employee payroll records, entering changes only from documented authorization and company protocol.
• Administer garnishments, levies, and other payroll deductions according to order terms and company procedures.
• Prepare certified payroll reports and other contract-required labor reports for approval and timely submission to agencies, clients, and compliance administrators.
• Calculate union wages, fringes, and trust contributions; prepare monthly union reports and remittance support; resolve routine discrepancies.
• Prepare payroll reconciliations and labor distribution reports that tie approved time to payroll, the general ledger, and job cost.
• Prepare payroll data to support state and federal reporting, including but not limited to unemployment, workers' compensation, and paid leave insurance programs.
• Answer payroll questions from employees, supervisors, and external parties, and follow each issue through to resolution.
• Coordinate with Human Resources on HRIS maintenance, employee transitions, and people reporting.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready payroll records, and keep procedures and checklists current.
• Protect the confidentiality and security of payroll and employee information.

• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on payroll processing or administration experience, or an equivalent combination of payroll and related technical experience.
• Experience with a payroll, HRIS, or timekeeping system, including records, deductions, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Preferred: construction payroll experience, including union payroll, prevailing wage, certified payroll, or trust reporting.
• Preferred: multi-state and multi-entity payroll, UKG Ready experience, and payroll audit support.
• Preferred: bilingual in English and Spanish.

The physical and work environment requirements described below are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities on a case-by-case basis.

This position is primarily project site based and typically works Monday through Friday, averaging 8-10 hours per daybased on business needs, project type, or phase.

While performing the duties of this role, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, communicate, and use standard computer and office equipment. Occasional repetitive hand and wrist movement may be required. The employee may occasionally lift or carry items up to 20 pounds.

Colas Construction is a general contracting firm based in Portland, Oregon, where our passion for building stems from our expertise in the industry and our values of integrity, safety, and exceeding standards for equity and inclusion.

Our mission: to build legacies and strengthen communities.

Our core values are our S.E.E.D.S:

Spirited: We desire to be the best at what we do, to be competitive and non-complacent.

Enlightened: We strive for the greater good in society. We have integrity,are unselfish, and treat others with respect.

Effective: We are highly functional. We think first, plan and analyze our approach to achieve excellence.

Dedicated: We are professionals who are reliable and deliver on our commitments.

Synergetic: We elevate the people around us to reach their best. We stretch our team’s…