Employee Benefits
We provide competitive benefits, as summarized below, to help attract and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce.
Health Insurance
- Provided by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina.
- $500 deductible for individual and $1,000 deductible for family (in-network benefits).
- OWASA pays for 100% of employee-only coverage & 50% of optional spouse/domestic partner/dependent coverage.
- Coverage begins on the 1st of the month following the employee's first 30 days of employment.
Dental Insurance
- Provided by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina.
- $50 deductible (2 cleanings per year are not subject to the deductible).
- OWASA pays for 100% of employee-only coverage and 40% of optional spouse/domestic partner/dependent coverage.
- Coverage begins on the 1st of the month following the employee's first 30 days of employment.
Vision Care Reimbursement Program
- We reimburse up to $405 per calendar year for glasses, contacts and eye exam co-pays.
- Spouse/domestic partner/dependents may be added at an additional cost to the employee.
- Coverage begins on the 1st of the month following the employee's first 30 days of employment.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Administered by Standard Insurance Company.
- OWASA pays for 100% of the cost.
- Benefit is equal to 60% of basic monthly compensation with a maximum of $2,500 per month.
- Eligibility for disability insurance begins after 6 months of employment; coverage begins after 3 months of disability.
Life Insurance, Dependent Life Insurance & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Provided by Guarantee Mutual Life.
- OWASA pays for 100% of the cost.
- Life Insurance/accidental death benefit is 2 times annual salary with a $100,000 maximum.
- Spouse/domestic partner/dependent life insurance coverage ($5,000) is provided at no cost to the employee.
Retirement
- OWASA participates in the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System.
- 6% pre-tax deduction contributed by the employee each pay period. OWASA's contribution is determined by the Retirement System.
- Benefits are based on various factors including age, years of service, compensation, etc.
Supplemental Retirement
- Employees may participate in a 457 Deferred Compensation Program administered by Nationwide or the International City Management Association-Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC).
- Voluntary contributions by employees are made through payroll deduction.
- Contributions by OWASA range from $40 to $100 per paycheck after four years of full-time employment.
Paid Leave
- 8 hours to 18 hours of annual leave is earned per month depending on length of service.
- 8 hours of sick leave is earned per month.
- 1 (8 hour) day of Personal leave is granted per year.
- Other types of leave include: Bereavement, Maternity/Paternity Leave, Civil, and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Paid holidays include: New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (2 days) and Christmas (3 days).
Employee Assistance Program
- Provides free, confidential and professional services to employees and their immediate family to help resolve personal problems before they disrupt personal or work life.
Other Benefits
- Flexible Spending Account
- Educational Reimbursement
- Bonus Pay for Additional Professional Certifications related to one's job
- Bonus Pay for Additional Education related to one's job
- Spot Bonus Program
- Referral Fee
- Membership available in the State Employees Credit Union/Local Government Federal Credit Union