Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

Vancouver, WA | Full-Time | Onsite

Founded in 1997, JR Merit was built on the belief that merit - the quality of being good and worthy - is worth working for. Today, we're a leading industrial and mechanical contractor delivering high-value solutions across complex infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, specialty projects, and power generation. As a union contractor with a collaborative, growth-oriented culture, we invest in people who want to build meaningful, long-term careers.

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to manage weekly payroll processing and compliance for a union and non-union workforce in a fast-paced construction environment. This role is responsible for payroll accuracy, certified payroll reporting, union compliance, payroll taxes, reconciliations, and supporting payroll-related audits and reporting activities.

What You'll Do

• Process accurate and timely full-cycle payroll for union and non-union employees.
• Audit and maintain employee payroll records, including pay rates, taxes, deductions, benefits, union classifications, and job cost allocations.
• Review timekeeping records, resolve discrepancies, and ensure payroll accuracy.
• Prepare certified payroll reports, union reports, fringe benefit reporting, and related compliance documentation.
• Support prevailing wage, collective bargaining agreement, and payroll regulatory compliance.
• Administer payroll tax activities, garnishments, year-end reporting, and W-2 processing.
• Reconcile payroll, labor, tax, and job cost data to support accurate financial reporting.
• Assist with payroll audits, reporting, system maintenance, and process improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of payroll experience, preferably in construction, industrial contracting, public works, or a union environment.
• Experience processing payroll for union and non-union employees.
• Knowledge of certified payroll, prevailing wage requirements, payroll taxes, garnishments, and labor compliance regulations.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with payroll reporting and reconciliations.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and confidentiality.

Preferred:

• Viewpoint/Vista experience.
• CPP or FPC certification.
• Experience with multi-state payroll and union trust reporting.

JR Merit offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support employees and their families:

Base Salary: $85,000 - $95,000

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage paid 100% by JR Merit for employees and eligible dependents
• 401(k) with company match
• Discretionary merit bonus opportunities
• Paid holidays, including a floating holiday
• PTO program
• Long-term disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work is generally performed while standing or sitting, in an office environment, with a computer and telephone.
• At times, work may be performed at a job site where additional training, certification(s), and clearances may be needed to comply with jobsite requirements.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds.
• This position has regular contact with internal office and field staff, Operations, Project Management, Executive Leadership, customers, unions, auditors, agencies, third-party partners, and vendors.
• This is a full-time onsite position based at the corporate headquarters in Vancouver, WA. Forty hours per week is required, with additional hours as needed to meet payroll deadlines.

Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer:

JR Merit, Inc. is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. We are a background screening, drug-free workplace.

JR Merit, Inc provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to recruiting@jrmerit.com

Work Authorization:

JR Merit, Inc. is a federal contractor which participates in E-Verify. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

Notice to Staffing Agencies and Recruiters: JR Merit does not accept unsolicited resumes, profiles, or applications. Agencies and third-party recruiters are asked not to contact JR Merit employees to present candidates unless a prior signed agreement is in place. Any unsolicited resumes submitted will be considered property of JR Merit.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.