Employee Benefits
The King County Housing Authority provides a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time staff members. The components of KCHA's programs are summarized below. Benefits commence on your date of hire or the first of the month after you have become an eligible employee.
Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB)
KCHA is pleased to offer the PEBB program — a comprehensive package that includes medical, dental, vision, prescription, life, and long-term disability coverage, as well as optional long-term care, auto and home insurance. Through PEBB, employees can choose from a number of medical plans. All of the plans offer the same basic benefits package and similar cost-sharing requirements, but monthly premiums, provider networks and benefit enhancements vary.
Medical Plans
Standard Managed-care:
In this type of plan, you must see providers in your plan’s network and receive most of your services through, or be referred by, a primary care provider (PCP). Standard managed-care plans available to KCHA Employees are Group Health Classic and Group Health Value. Enrollees pay a flat fee ($25 or $30 for office visits) for most services and annual deductibles, which vary depending on the plan. For more information about both Summary Plan Descriptions, visit www.ghc.org or www.pebb.hca.wa.gov.
Uniform Medical Plan Preferred Provider:
The Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) preferred provider plan offers freedom of choice, allowing you to self-refer to any approved provider in most cases. UMP enrollees pay a percentage of the charges for most services. Most services are subject to an annual deductible. For more information about the Summary Plan Description and participating physicians, visit www.ump.hca.wa.gov or www.pebb.hca.wa.gov.
Retiree Medical Plan
Employees who participate in the medical plans may continue their coverage upon retirement for as long as the employer group continues to participate with PEBB. Visit www.pebb.hca.wa.gov to learn more about retiree benefits.
Dental Plans
Uniform Dental Plan Preferred Provider:
The Uniform Dental Plan (UDP) preferred provider plan administered by Washington Dental Services (WDS) allows you the freedom to choose any dentist. However, it provides a higher level of reimbursement if your dentist is a WDS participating provider. UDP offers services in every county of Washington state. For more information about the Summary Plan Description and participating dentists, visit www.deltadentalwa.com/pebb.htm.
Managed-care plans:
Under DeltaCare, administered by WDS, enrollees select a primary care dentist from the DeltaCare network and must receive care from the selected dentist. Because WDS administers several dental plans, each with its own provider network, be sure to verify that your dentist is in the DeltaCare network. For more information about the Summary Plan Description and participating dentists, visit www.deltadentalwa.com/pebb.htm.
Willamette Dental, requires that the enrollees receive care from a Willamette Dental dentist or specialist. For more information about the Summary Plan Description and participating dentists, visit www.WillametteDental.com/WApebb.
Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
This program has five parts and allows employees to design their own plan.
Part A — Basic Term Life and AD & D
KCHA provides $25,000 of Basic Life insurance for death from any cause and $5,000 Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance both at no cost to employee.
Part B — Basic Dependent Term Life Insurance
This plan provides $2,500 for spouse/qualified same-sex domestic partner and $2,500 for each eligible unmarried dependent child. The employee pays for this benefit.
Part B — Supplemental Spouse Term Life Insurance
If you enroll in Plan B Basic Spouse Insurance, you may apply for additional amounts for your spouse/qualified same-sex domestic partner up to one half of the amount of life insurance you obtain for yourself. The employee pays for this benefit.
Part C — Optional Term Life Insurance
You may choose any amount from half of your annual salary up to the amount of your annual salary. The employee pays for this benefit.
Part D — Supplemental Term Life Insurance
You may apply for additional amounts up to $350,000. The employee pays for this benefit.
Part E — Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment
You may enroll in Part E coverage in multiples of $25,000 up to $250,000 for covered accidental death or covered accidental dismemberment. The employee pays for this benefit.
Long-Term Disability Plan
Basic Plan:
This plan is included in the full benefit package at no additional cost to employees. The Basic Plan provides a benefit of 60 percent of the first $400 of pre-disability earnings, reduced by any deductible income. The maximum benefit payable is $240 per month. The minimum benefit is $50 per month. Benefits begin after 90 days of total disability or after the period of your accumulated sick leave, whichever period is longer, and continue during your disability up to the Maximum Benefit Period. The Maximum Benefit Period is determined by the type of disability and the age of the enrollee when he/she became disabled.
Optional Plan:
This plan allows most employees eligible for the Basic Plan to apply for additional benefits at the employee's expense.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible spending accounts are available to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible health care expenses and work-related day care costs.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP is a confidential service that connects employees and their families with experienced counseling professionals for help with personal, financial, and legal issues and stress management, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To access this service visit the APS Healthcare website at www.APSHelpLink.com or call the 24-hour line at 1-800-411-4119.
Retirement Plans
KCHA employees receive retirement benefits through the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) managed by the Washington Department of Retirement Systems. There are three PERS plans. Employees who worked for a most government entities prior to Oct. 1, 1977 are members of PERS Plan 1, with a monthly benefit generally being 2 percent x Service Credit Years x employee's highest rate of pay over 24 consecutive service credit months. Employees hired since then can participate in PERS 2 or PERS 3. Like PERS 1, PERS 2 is a defined benefit plan (the monthly benefit generally 2 percent x service credit years x employee's highest average rate of pay over 60 consecutive months). PERS 3 includes a defined contribution component, in which employees can choose how to invest earnings. For complete information, consult the DRS website, http://www.drs.wa.gov.
Deferred Compensation Plans
For the year 2008, KCHA Employees may invest up to $15,500 ($20,500 if age 50 or older), of annual earnings on a pre-tax basis through two IRS Section 457 deferred compensation plans. A plan managed by Great-West Retirement Services offers several investment options. A plan managed by the Washington Department of Retirement Services offers 11 options.
Savings Bonds and Other Treasury Direct Products
KCHA employees can elect to make a payroll direct deposit to add money to an individual Treasury Direct Account to purchase U.S. Savings Bonds, Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes, and Treasury Securities.
Your Pay and Direct Deposit
Employees are paid biweekly (every other week) on Friday with the payroll period ending the preceding Friday at midnight. KCHA offers employees the option of using direct deposit (electronic payment) to receive their paychecks.
Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
All regular, full-time employees are eligible for the following vacation, sick leave and holiday benefits. Regular, part-time employees also are eligible for these benefits on a pro-rated basis.
Vacation
Vacation is accrued based on the following schedule:
Length of Service |
Days per Month |
Days per Year |
| 1-5 Years |
1 |
12 |
| 6-10 Years |
1-1/4 |
15 |
| 11-15 Years |
1-1/2 |
18 |
| 16-20 Years |
1-3/4 |
21 |
| 21+ Years |
2 |
24 |
Annual leave
can be accumulated, subject to maximum limits. Part-time employees are eligible
for annual leave based on a ratio of hours worked.
Sick Leave
All full-time KCHA employees are granted one day of sick leave for each month worked.
Holidays
Each calendar year, KCHA provides its regular, full-time employees with a total of 11 paid holidays. In addition, the agency provides one personal holiday, which employees can take whenever they want.
Bereavement Leave
Introductory and regular employees receive up to three (3) days for time lost due to a death in their immediate family.
Leave for Jury Duty and Court Appearance
Employees receive paid leave to serve on a jury or appear as a witness for KCHA in any court of law.
Family Medical Leave (FMLA)
Regular full-time employees are entitled for up to 12 weeks of leave without pay in a 12-month period for family and medical reasons for themselves and their spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition.
Military Leave
Regular full-time and part-time employees who are called for or volunteer for military, reserve, or training duty in any branch of the U.S. Armed Services receive leave without pay during their services. Employees have the right to be reemployed upon their return from active military duty.
Non-Medical Leave
Upon approval, employees may request a non-medical leave of absence without pay for up to 12 weeks to attend to personal matters. Approval depends on factors such as overall performance and attendance record, length of service, and the availability of an adequate replacement.
Employee Training and Development
KCHA encourages employees to pursue the highest level of excellence in their chosen careers. The Authority contributes to the costs of seminars, classes, and other forms of training for employees after they complete their six-month probationary period.
Seminars and Training
Employees are eligible to attend seminars, classes, and conferences
related to current or future positions with the agency. If approved,
KCHA pays 100 percent for training opportunities.
Tuition Assistance
Employees pursuing a degree related to current or future positions with the Authority can be reimbursed 50 percent (maximum $800 per quarter) for tuition fees of classes taken at an accredited college, university, school, or professional group. Tuition assistance must be pre-approved before starting the class and a passing grade of "C" or better must be obtained.
Additional Benefits
Employee Committees
KCHA employees have the opportunity to participate on a range of committees that address workplace issues including safety and health, diversity awareness, open communication, and fostering awareness about sustainable “green” business practices.
Annual All-Employee Meeting
Once a year, KCHA brings all employees together in one place for a day to share information, celebrate accomplishments, pay tribute to staff, learn what colleagues throughout the agency are working on, meet new employees, and reconnect with each other.
Service Awards Luncheon
KCHA recognizes employees' tenure in five-year increments. Employees who have been employed at the housing authority for at least 10 years are recognized for their public service. They are invited to lunch with the senior management team and the board president.
Annual Flu Shot Program
KCHA offers an annual flu vaccines at various onsite locations during the work day.
Employee Referral Bonus Program
Referral bonuses are available to any employee who refers a candidate hired to fill a regular vacancy. After the person is hired and passes probation, the employee who made the referral will earn $500 for a management employee and/or $300 for any other filled position.
Transit Subsidy
Employees may receive a $40 monthly subsidy and pre-tax deduction for the additional cost of the commuter transit pass by participating in the KCHA commuting benefit program.
Credit Union Membership
King County Housing Authority employees are eligible to join any number of credit unions in the Puget Sound area.
Home Loan Assistance
KCHA’s membership in HomeStreet Bank’s Hometown Home Loan program allows employees to take advantage of a number of benefits related to the purchase or refinance of a home. These benefits include discounts on some fees, downpayment assistance for qualified homebuyers, and free homebuyer education classes.
Alternative Work Schedule
Alternative work schedules are available upon approval of the supervisor.
For more information, please contact the Human Resources Department at 206-574-1101 or HumanResources@kcha.org.
Disclaimer
The King County Housing Authority reserves the right to change or end its benefit plans or programs at any time. The preceding is a summary of the plans or policies or a description of their key features or details. In case of any conflict or question, the official plan documents or applicable policies, as amended from time to time, will govern.