Benefited employees of the City receive a generous benefit package.

RETIREMENT

The City of Chula Vista participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The City pays the employee's contribution (8% for Miscellaneous employees and 9% for Public Safety employees). The City currently provides the 3% @ 60 Formula for Miscellaneous employees; the 3% @ 50 plan for police safety positions; and 3% @ 50 for fire safety positions.   The City does not participate in Social Security.

FLEXIBLE BENEFITS

FOR MISCELLANEOUS EMPLOYEES

The City maintains an IRS Section 125 Flexible Benefits Plan (FBP), which allows employees flexibility in choosing their benefits. The plan year is from January 1 through December 31.  The dollar amount allocated for each plan year is subject to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and employee groups (unions).  The annual allotment for Plan Year 2010 (January 1) varies by employee groups as follows: 

• Chula Vista Employees Association (CVEA) $10,382
• Western Council of Engineers (WCE) $11,382
• Confidential Employees $10,882
• Middle Managers/Professionals $11,382
• Senior Managers $12,382
• Executive Managers $13,782

Employees may elect health, dental and vision coverage for themselves and their dependents.  The City offers Kaiser and Aetna HMO health plans and Aetna PPO plan.  Employees may also elect a dental plan for themselves and their eligible dependents. We currently offer Aetna Dental DMO and Aetna Dental PPO.  The City current offers the MES Vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.

From their Flex Plan allotment, employees may set up an account to pay for dental, medical and vision expenses not covered by insurance. Employees may also set up an account to pay for childcare or care for other dependent family members during working hours.

Any Flexible Benefits Plan Allotment remaining after the mandatory health plan election may be designated as a taxable cash payment.    

FOR SAFETY EMPLOYEES  

Benefits of POA and IAFF represented Safety employees will not be funded by a Cafeteria Flexible Benefits Plan (Flex Allotments). The City will pay the full premium for the Kaiser Health Plan and the Aetna Dental Pre-Paid Plan. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding of a complete detail of benefit cost sharing.

LIFE AND ACCIDENTAL LIFE INSURANCE

The City provides $50,000 basic group term life insurance to benefited employees.  This coverage includes accidental death and dismemberment insurance, which provides additional benefits for a covered loss if the employee is injured or dies in an accident. In addition, employees may purchase supplemental coverage for themselves, their spouses and/or dependents.  Coverage is provided by MetLife Insurance Company. 

SHORT/LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE

To provide financial protection while an employee is disabled, the City of Chula Vista provides Group Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance via UNUM.  Safety (Police and Fire) employees’ disability insurance is provided through their unions.

Employees may defer up to $16,500 of their compensation annually to an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation plan.  The City currently offers two plans:  National Deferred and ICMA Retirement Corporation.  The City does not provide matching funds.

RETIREMENT MEDICAL TRUST (RMT)

A retirement medical trust is a health benefit savings vehicle that will allow POA employees to accumulate funds to pay for qualified medical premiums and expenses on a tax-fee basis.  This trust was set up through the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC).  The City will contribute $100 per month to this Plan, for all current POA employees on a pre-tax basis.  Upon retirement, POA employees shall transfer into RMT, on a pretax-basis, an amount equal to 100% of the cash value of the employee's vacation and floating holiday leave balance for which they would receive payment.

EDUCATION INCENTIVE

Both sworn Fire (IAFF) and Police (POA) employees are eligible for education incentives based upon their level of education.

FIRE EMPLOYEES

POLICE EMPLOYEES

VACATION

Employees will be credited on a bi-weekly basis and shall accrue the following:

Part-time benefited employees will receive pro-rated accruals based on the number of authorized hours worked each pay period. 

A full-time employee accrues Sick Leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (96 hours/year).  Employees in the Fire Suppression unit accrue 5.15 hours per pay period (134 hours/year).  Part-time benefited employees will receive pro-rated accruals based on the number of authorized hours worked each pay period. 

Miscellaneous Employees receive ten (10) "Hard" holidays and three (3) days of "Floating" holidays each fiscal year.  Police (POA) represented employees receive seven (7) Hard Holidays and five (5) Floating Holidays.  Fire Suppression employees are entitled to 130 hours of Holiday Pay.  Part-time benefited employees will receive pro-rated accruals based on the number of authorized hours worked each pay period. 

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

Certain management employees receive from 40 hours to 80 hours of Administrative Leave at the beginning of each fiscal year.  Part-time benefited employees will receive pro-rated accruals based on the number of authorized hours worked each pay period. 

WORK FURLOUGH

Except for POA and IAFF represented employees, all benefited employees will receive 40 hours credit to their furlough leave bank every fiscal year.  There will be a deduction of 1.92% from the employee’s gross wages every pay period.  Furlough hours will be used between the hard holidays of Christmas and New Year’s Day each year.  In addition, employees may use 8 hours of the furlough leave at any time during the fiscal year with prior approval from their supervisors. While the intent is to close City buildings where possible, those who are required to work during the furlough week will be paid in the same manner they are during the rest of the year.   Any unused furlough hours will be available for employees to use throughout the fiscal year. Employees may elect an additional 40 hours of voluntary work furlough. Reductions will be calculated based on the total mandatory furlough (40hrs) and voluntary furlough hours elected.

MISCELLANEOUS PAID LEAVE

In addition to the above paid leaves, eligible employees may be entitled to Military Leave, Jury Duty and Court Leave.

MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT

Employees shall be entitled to a mileage reimbursement when required to use their private automobile for authorized City business. 

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT PAY

Employees may receive 10-15% additional compensation when assigned by the City Manager to a special project.

ACTING PAY/ OUT-OF-CLASS ASSIGNMENT

An eligible employee may receive Acting Pay or Out-Of-Class pay when temporarily assigned to a vacant position and receive 5-20% above current salary rate based on provisions in each bargaining group’s memorandum of understanding.

DIFFERENTIAL PAY

Eligible employees may receive $75 biweekly for Shift Differential.  Employees in the Fire Prevention/Training Section will receive 15% of base pay as Differential Pay.  Eligible Police employees receive $80 per pay period if assigned to work the first watch (graveyard) or $40 a pay period if assigned to work the third or fourth watch (swing).

CALL BACK

Miscellaneous (CVEA) and Police (POA) represented employees may receive $50 in addition to overtime pay whenever called back to work after they have left their work site and are required to return to work before the scheduled start of the next shift. 

STAND BY PAY

If an employee is required to remain at all times where he or she can be contacted to perform essential services within one hour of notification, the employee is entitled to Stand By Pay as provided by provisions in each bargaining group’s memorandum of understanding.

BI-LINGUAL PAY

Employees who are frequently called upon to use bilingual skills in the performance of their duties may be eligible for Bilingual Pay.  All eligible employees will receive $100 per month (Police and Fire, $200 per month), in addition to their regular pay on the condition that they continuously utilize their bilingual skills in the performance of their duties.

PROFESSIONAL ENRICHMENT

Eligible employees may request reimbursement for expenses associated with   professional development such as seminars, books, professionally related dues, travel or lodging, etc. for the employee’s professional or technical growth.  Amount of maximum reimbursement is in accordance with the employee’s memorandum of understanding.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The City provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to assist employees and their household members.  A member advocate can provide consultation, resources and action plans with: child and elder care issues; alcohol and drug issues; life improvement issues; difficulties in relationships; stress and anxiety issues with work and family; depression; personal achievement; emotional well-being; financial and legal concerns; and grief issues.

As provided by law, EAP issues will not be shared with anyone with out the employee's permission.  A participant can call a HORIZON HEALTH EAP advocate at 1-800-342-8111.  The hotline is available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.

The HORIZON link is: http://www.horizoncarelink.com

The information contained herein is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute a written or implied contract. The information contained herein is subject to change at any time. Before accepting any position, please verify your benefits with a Human Resources representative. Benefits are prorated based upon start date.