Benefits

Health Insurance

Provided by BIueCross/BIueShieId of North Carolina.

• OWASA pays for 100% of employee-only coverage and 50% of optional spouse/domestic partner/dependent coverage.
• $750 deductible for individual; $1,500 deductible for family (in-network).
• Coverage begins on the 1st of the month following the employee’s first 30 days of employment.

Dental Insurance

Provided by BIueCross/BIueShieId of North Carolina.

• OWASA pays for 100% of employee-only coverage and 40% of optional spouse/domestic partner/dependent coverage.
• $50 deductible (2 cleanings per year are not subject to the deductible).
• Coverage begins on the 1st of the month following the employee’s first 30 days of employment.

Vision Care Reimbursement Program

• OWASA reimburses up to $550 per year for prescription glasses, contacts, and eye exams.
• 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 USAble Life.

• OWASA pays 100% of the cost.
• Equal to 60% of basic monthly compensation with a maximum of $5,000 per month.
• Eligibility for disability insurance begins after six months of employment.
• Coverage begins after three months of disability.

Life, Dependent Life & Accidental Death/Dismemberment Insurance

Provided by USAble Life.

• OWASA pays 100% of the cost.
• Life insurance/accidental death benefit is $100,000.
• Spouse/domestic partner/dependent life insurance coverage ($10,000) 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.
• Retirement benefits are based on various factors including age, years of service, compensation, etc.
• OWASA’s contribution, which is determined by the Retirement System, is currently 13.63%.

Supplemental Retirement

Employees may participate in a 457 Deferred Compensation Program administered by Nationwide or the MissionSquare Retirement.

• Voluntary contributions available for employees.
• OWASA will contribute 5% of an employee’s annual salary.

Retirement Health Savings (RHS) Account

• Required 2% pre-tax biweekly deduction contributed by the employee (maximum $1,120 per year) and $39.24 biweekly employer contribution.
• RHS is for future retiree medical expenses.

Paid Leave

• Eight hours to I8 hours of annual leave is earned per month, depending on length of service.
• Eight hours of sick leave are earned per month.
• Eight hours of personal leave granted per year.

Other types of leave include:

• Bereavement
• Parental (see below)
• Civil
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Paid holidays include:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving (two days)
• Christmas (three days)

Parental Leave (Maternal and Paternal)

• Up to six weeks of paid parental leave to eligible employees after the birth, adoption, or upon commencement of foster care or guardianship of a child under the age of 18.
• To be eligible, employees must be full-time, regular employees who have completed at least one year of continuous, uninterrupted service with OWASA.

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 Program
• Membership in the State Employees’ Credit Union/Local Government Federal Credit Union
• Wellness Program Reimbursement