PAYROLL COORDINATOR

Job Summary

At Knife River, we take care of our team because we know it's our people who make us successful. We are one of the 10 largest construction materials producers/contractors in the Country, and we are a PEOPLE-first company. Our team members are the key to our success, and we are committed to giving them the tools, training, and time to do their jobs productively and safely each day. Our goal is to build strong teams that, in turn, build strong communities. We are also a publicly traded company on the NYSE with the ticker symbol KNF and part of the S&P MidCap 400 index.

This is a full time, year-round position that comes with great benefits! Start at 3 weeks of vacation and a separate sick time balance, paid holidays, excellent health insurance and wellness plans, company paid life insurance, 401k with company match and profit sharing, plus more!

Role Overview:

The Payroll Coordinator is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll for 300+ union and non-union employees across multiple states. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and prevailing wage laws. The Payroll Coordinator works closely with HR, Accounting, and Field Operations to ensure payroll accuracy, resolve discrepancies, and support labor compliance reporting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience in a fast-paced payroll/accounting environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Payroll Processing

• Process weekly payrolls for field and office employees across multiple job sites and states.

• Review and validate timecards, job codes, and cost allocations submitted by field supervisors.

• Apply appropriate union wage rates, fringe benefits, and deductions in accordance with CBAs.

• Ensure accurate classification of hours (e.g., regular, overtime, double time, PTO, Sick) and job-specific pay rules.

• Enter and process wage garnishments and tax levies

• Ensure confidentiality with all employee records and data

• Union & Prevailing Wage Compliance

• Interpret and apply multiple union agreements and prevailing wage determinations (e.g., Davis-Bacon Act).

• Prepare and submit certified payroll reports to government agencies and project owners.

• Track and report fringe benefit contributions to union trust funds and third-party administrators.

• Multi-State Tax & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax laws, including unemployment and workers' compensation.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of wage and hour laws in all states where the company operates.

• Assist with year-end processing, including W-2s, 1099s, and tax reconciliations.

• System & Data Management

• Maintain employee payroll records in the payroll and HRIS systems (e.g., JD Edwards, Kronos, HeavyJob, UKG).

• Audit payroll data for accuracy and resolve discrepancies in hours, pay rates, or deductions.

• Support system upgrades, testing, and implementation of new payroll features or integrations.

• Employee & Field Support

• Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, and timekeeping.

• Provide guidance to field supervisors on payroll procedures and union compliance.

• Assist with onboarding and offboarding processes related to payroll setup and final pay.

• Reporting & Collaboration

• Generate payroll reports for job costing, labor tracking, and financial reporting.

• Collaborate with HR, project managers, and accounting to ensure alignment on labor budgets, compliance, and other reports.

• Support internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and reports.

• All other duties as assigned

Compensation

Estimated Wage: $25.00 to $30.00 per hour - depending on work experience, certifications, and education

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401k with Company Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid/Sick Time Off
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Short-term Disability & Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Years of Service Recognition

How to Apply:

If unable to apply online, mail completed application to:

ATTN HR PO Box 40 Bemidji, MN 56619

Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal law.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background check.