Employee Benefits

New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, *One Floating Holiday.
*Some paid holidays may vary based on bargaining unit and FTE.*

Accrual starting at 160 hours/20 days up to 288 hours/36 days a year. The LELS Deputies have Vacation and Sick Time versus PTO.

*PTO may vary based on bargaining unit and FTE.*

Employees may elect to cash out a designated number of hours of PTO annually, subject to IRS regulations and in accordance with County policy.

*PTO Cash Out may vary based on bargaining unit and FTE.*

The Cafeteria Benefit Plan gives employees an opportunity to design a benefit package that fits their personal needs and goals. Employees whose FTE is .50 or greater are eligible to participate.

Benefit package includes:

• Medical plans, two of which are High Deductible Health Plans that come with a Health Savings Account (HSA) option and contribution from the county ranging from $1,300 - $2,200 annually. Our health plan covers in-network preventive care at 100 percent. This includes one eye exam per year and preventive dental expenses, such as exams and cleanings.
• Voluntary Dental.
• Voluntary Vision.
• Health Care Flexible Spending Account.
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account.
• Basic life provided at no cost to the employee.
• Additional life for employee, spouse and dependents can be purchased.
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage may be provided at no cost to the employee.*
• Long Term Disability (LTD) at a 60% income replacement level to a $2,500 per month maximum benefit provided at no cost to the employee.*
• Short Term Disability is available that provides income replacement if you are unable to work due to pregnancy or a non-work-related injury or illness, available in the amount of 50 or 66 2/3% of your salary.
• Voluntary participation in two §457(b)deferred compensation plans through payroll deductions on a pre-tax and/or post-tax basis: MNDCP and Nationwide.
• Participation in a Health Care Savings Plan(HCSP). The HCSP is an employer-sponsored program that allows employees to save money, tax-free, to use upon termination of employment to pay for eligible health care expenses.*

*Some benefits may vary based on bargaining unit and FTE.*

In addition to Social Security, county employees are covered by the State of Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), a defined benefit retirement plan.

For general employees, the county contributes 7.5% of total salary on the employee’s behalf into PERA while the employee contributes 6.5%.

 For correctional employees, the county contributes 8.75% of total salary on the employee’s behalf in PERA while the employee contributes 5.83%. 

For law enforcement employees, the county contributes 17.7% of total salary on the employee’s behalf into PERA while the employee contributes 11.8% (law enforcement employees do not participate in Social Security but do participate in Medicare).

Up to three weeks (120 hours) of paid time off to bond with your newborn or newly adopted child.*

*Paid Parental Leave may vary based on bargaining unit and FTE.*

Washington County's DEI Program is a countywide, comprehensive system of education, projects and services intended to build the organization’s intercultural competence and capacity to deliver equitable services and outcomes, without disparities, for all our residents and customers.

Each department has an Equity Change Team charged with implementing the county’s DEI strategic plan through best practice, data informed examinations of activities to eliminate disparate outcomes for our customers and our community.

Network of employees who help drive results and act as catalysts to build a workplace culture of inclusion, equity, and diversity.

(Effective 01/01/2023) Reimbursement up to $5,250 annually for educational experiences that will improve performance and allow for career growth.

Washington County has partnered with the following colleges to offer tuition discounts for select programs and professional development opportunities:

• Bethel University Admissions Information.
• Concordia University Learn more today.
• Hamline University Admission and Aid.
• St. Catherine University corporate partnership.
• St. Mary’s University admission information.

PSLFP offers potential loan forgiveness to employees with student debt. Once you make 120 payments on your debt while being employed with a qualified employer, balances on eligible loans may qualify for loan forgiveness. Visit Student Aid to learn more.

Six free and confidential counseling sessions for coping with loss, financial stress, depression, family issues and much more.

A variety of options for HealthPartners members. Wellbeats, GlobalFit’s 360, and Active and Fit Direct are all available to employees who are enrolled in the county’s medical insurance.