Compliance Specialist Jobs in Wisconsin

Summary of Position

The Prevailing Wage Compliance Specialist supports the administration, analysis, and execution of labor compliance requirements across Arch Electric's construction and renewable energy projects, with a primary focus on prevailing wage, apprenticeship participation, and certified payroll compliance.

This position is responsible for collecting, reconciling, and validating payroll and labor documentation; monitoring project compliance requirements; identifying discrepancies; and preparing accurate records for internal review and external audits.

Working under the direction of the Prevailing Wage Compliance Manager, the Specialist partners closely with Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, and Operations to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including the Davis-Bacon Act, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and applicable state prevailing wage requirements.

The ideal candidate is highly analytical, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining accurate, audit-ready documentation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Certified Payroll Preparation & Reconciliation

• Collect and consolidate weekly payroll data, fringe benefit reports, labor classifications, employee hours, and supporting documentation.
• Reconcile payroll journals, fringe benefit calculations, and project labor reports to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Prepare certified payroll documentation and supporting reconciliations for review and submission.
• Verify employee classifications, wage rates, fringe benefits, and hours worked against applicable project wage determinations.
• Identify discrepancies, missing information, and potential compliance issues and coordinate corrections with Payroll, HR, and Operations.
• Maintain organized records of certified payroll submissions, reconciliations, corrections, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor weekly submission deadlines and communicate outstanding requirements to the Compliance Manager.

Prevailing Wage & Labor Compliance

• Assist in maintaining project-specific prevailing wage determinations, labor classifications, and fringe benefit requirements.
• Review payroll records to verify compliance with applicable federal, state, and local prevailing wage requirements.
• Monitor employee wage classifications and compensation against applicable project requirements.
• Support compliance activities related to IRA prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements.
• Identify potential wage underpayments, classification discrepancies, and documentation deficiencies.
• Maintain accurate compliance records across multiple active projects.
• Escalate unresolved discrepancies and potential regulatory risks to the Compliance Manager.

Apprenticeship Compliance & Tracking

• Monitor apprenticeship participation requirements for projects subject to IRA and other applicable regulations.
• Track apprentice hours, journeyworker hours, participation percentages, and applicable labor-hour requirements.
• Maintain apprenticeship enrollment documentation, program registrations, and supporting records.
• Coordinate with HR and Operations to obtain apprentice assignments, classifications, and participation records.
• Assist in identifying apprenticeship participation deficiencies and documentation gaps.
• Prepare apprenticeship compliance reports and supporting documentation for management review.
• Support documentation of apprenticeship requests, responses, and applicable compliance exceptions.

Subcontractor Compliance Support

• Collect and organize subcontractor certified payroll reports and required labor compliance documentation.
• Review submissions for completeness, missing information, and apparent discrepancies.
• Track outstanding subcontractor compliance requirements and submission deadlines.
• Communicate documentation deficiencies and follow up on corrective actions.
• Maintain subcontractor compliance tracking logs and supporting records.
• Escalate unresolved subcontractor compliance concerns to the Compliance Manager.

Audit Preparation & Documentation Management

• Prepare and organize documentation for internal audits, external auditors, regulatory reviews, and client compliance requests.
• Maintain accurate electronic records of payroll reconciliations, wage determinations, apprenticeship documentation, and corrective actions.
• Assist with audit inquiries by gathering supporting reports and preparing requested documentation.
• Maintain tracking systems identifying submission status, outstanding deficiencies, and corrective action progress.
• Ensure documentation is complete, traceable, and readily accessible for audit purposes.
• Support the Compliance Manager in preparing compliance summaries and project status reports.

Compliance Reporting & Process Improvement

• Maintain project-level compliance trackers, reporting schedules, and documentation checklists.
• Prepare routine reports identifying submission status, missing records, discrepancies, and outstanding corrective actions.
• Identify recurring data inconsistencies and recommend opportunities to improve reporting accuracy and efficiency.
• Support the implementation of standardized compliance workflows, templates, and internal controls.

• Assist with system improvements, data validation, and reporting automation initiatives.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee and payroll information.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Payroll to obtain accurate wage, fringe, and payroll reporting data.
• Coordinate with Human Resources regarding employee classifications, apprenticeship enrollment, and required personnel documentation.
• Work with Operations and project leadership to validate labor hours, project assignments, and employee classifications.
• Collaborate with Finance to reconcile payroll information and project reporting requirements.
• Communicate outstanding documentation needs and compliance deadlines professionally and proactively.
• Support the Compliance Manager in implementing established compliance procedures and resolving identified deficiencies.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in prevailing wage compliance, certified payroll, payroll administration, construction accounting, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of prevailing wage requirements, certified payroll reporting, and wage classifications.
• Experience reviewing payroll records, reconciling data, and identifying reporting discrepancies.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, and data reconciliation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, competing deadlines, and high volumes of documentation.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate, audit-ready records.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently within established procedures while recognizing when issues require escalation.
• Ability to handle confidential employee, payroll, and business information appropriately.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in construction, electrical contracting, solar, renewable energy, or EPC environments.
• Familiarity with the Davis-Bacon Act, IRA prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements, and state prevailing wage regulations.
• Experience preparing or auditing certified payroll reports.
• Experience tracking apprenticeship participation and labor-hour requirements.
• Familiarity with certified payroll platforms such as LCPtracker, eMars, or similar systems.
• Experience with payroll, HRIS, or construction management systems.
• Familiarity with multi-state construction compliance requirements.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position will be measured by:

• Accuracy and completeness of payroll reconciliations and compliance documentation.

• Timely preparation of certified payroll records and supporting reports.
• Proactive identification and communication of compliance discrepancies.
• Consistent maintenance of project compliance tracking and audit records.
• Timely follow-up on outstanding documentation and corrective actions.
• Accurate tracking of apprenticeship participation requirements.
• Effective collaboration with Payroll, HR, Finance, and Operations.
• Adherence to established compliance procedures, internal controls, and regulatory deadlines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Extended periods of computer-based work and data analysis.
• Frequent use of computers, spreadsheets, and electronic reporting systems.
• Sustained attention to detail and concentration when reviewing complex documentation.
• Primarily sedentary work with minimal physical activity.

Work Environment

• Professional office environment with deadline-driven responsibilities.
• Regular interaction with Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, Operations, and project personnel.
• Management of multiple active projects with varying compliance requirements and reporting schedules.
• Structured, detail-oriented work requiring accuracy, confidentiality, and accountability.

Benefits

• Retirement plan
• Health benefits
• Flexible schedule, subject to business needs and position requirements
• Professional development and advancement opportunities

Employee Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of this position.

Employee Signature: __________________________________

Date: ______________________

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and does not constitute an employment contract. Arch Electric retains the discretion to modify duties and responsibilities based on business needs, consistent with applicable law. Employment remains at-will, subject to applicable law.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Prevailing Wage: 2 years (Required)
• Certified Payroll Reporting: 2 years (Required)
• Microsoft Excel: 3 years (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Plymouth, WI 53073