Benefits

As a permanent employee of the Division of Recycling, you would be eligible for the following benefits:

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COMPENSATION
Most State salaries are based on a monthly rate, by job classification, although some temporary positions are based on hourly rates. Additionally, most State employees are paid at the end of each monthly pay period (generally 21 or 22 working days). Typically, State classifications consist of a salary range and can also contain several salary ranges within the classification. New employees are usually appointed to the lowest range and minimum salary of the classification, although specific requirements can be met which qualify an individual for a higher starting salary or range. The hiring agency will discuss with new employees whether or not they may receive a salary above the minimum rate. Additionally, State employees, with a specific leave balance available, qualify to participate in direct deposit of their paycheck into their banking account of choice (provided their financial institution participates in such a program).

SALARY INCREASES
There are several types of salary increases that State employees may qualify for, while appointed to their job classification. The frequency and amount of salary increases differ, with the following being the most common types of increases:

Special In-grade Salary Adjustment (SISA): When an employee is appointed to the minimum range and salary rate of a classification with a SISA and has met the standards of efficiency required for the position, he/she may be authorized to receive a SISA upon completion of six months of qualifying service after appointment. A SISA is a one-step salary increase that generally means 5% above the employee's current monthly salary for the classification. SISAs are one-time increases and classifications with monthly maximum salary rates at or above $2762 are not eligible for a SISA.

Merit Salary Adjustment (MSA): When an employee is appointed to a salary rate other than the maximum of their job classification and has met the standards of efficiency required for the position, he/she may be authorized to receive a MSA upon completion of twelve months of qualifying service after appointment or their last salary increase. A MSA is a one-step increase that generally means 5% above the employee's current monthly salary, but not to exceed the maximum salary rate of the classification. MSAs are generally given to employees yearly, until the maximum salary rate of the classification is reached.

General Salary Increase (GSI): State employees' salaries and benefits are bargaining issues within each Bargaining Unit. The State of California and each of the 21 Bargaining Units enter into contracts (time frames of each contract vary) which specify any GSIs to be given to employees. The amount and frequency of GSIs vary by Bargaining Unit and employees should refer to their Unit's contract to determine what increases are provided for.

Alternate Range Change: Some State classifications are considered "deep classes" which means they have more than one salary range. The number of salary ranges and the requirements for movement between the ranges vary by classification. Each classification with an alternate range has specific requirements that must be met prior to movement or appointment into another range. Employees are moved between ranges through certification by their supervisor that they have met the alternate range criteria.

SICK LEAVE
Sick leave benefits are credited to all employees on the first day of the month following completion of each qualifying pay period. Full-time employees receive 8 hours of monthly sick leave credit and part-time employees a pro rated portion thereof. Sick leave credits may be utilized to compensate the employee during periods of absence due to personal illness or injury, or for the care of a sick or injured family member. Employees may accumulate unlimited sick leave credits and at the time of their retirement, sick leave credits may be utilized to increase an employee's length of service applied toward retirement.

HOLIDAYS
Each employee is entitled to receive pay for State holidays observed throughout the year. Traditionally, those paid holidays include:

Generally, when a State holiday falls on a Saturday, employees earn a day of holiday credit to utilize at a later date. When the State holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following that day is observed in lieu of the actual date. The exception being November 11th, where if it falls on a Saturday, the proceeding Friday is observed as a State holiday.

Additionally, upon completion of an employee's initial six qualifying months of State service, each employee becomes eligible for a personal holiday credit to be utilized on a day of the employee's choice, subject to supervisor approval. Thereafter, the employee will earn a personal holiday credit on July 1st of each fiscal year.

VACATION
On the first day of the month following six months of qualifying State service, each employee is entitled to receive a one-time vacation bonus of 42 hours of vacation credit. Thereafter, for each qualifying pay period, employees receive the following vacation credits on the first day of the following month:

State Service Hours of Credit:

Generally, vacation credits can be accumulated to a maximum of 400 hours per year and employees are paid for any accumulated vacation credits upon their permanent separation from State employment.

HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN
Qualifying State employees have 60 calendar days from the date of their initial appointment to enroll in a health plan. Enrollment is effective the first day of the month following their submission of a health benefits enrollment form. You will be provided a Health Plan Booklet that provides specific information regarding the health plans available for enrollment, the cost of monthly premiums, and the criteria for meeting enrollment eligibility for specific plans. The State of California provides a specific dollar amount to cover its "share" of the premium and the employee is required to pay any remaining balance, as applicable. Open enrollment (typically September 1 to October 15 of each year) is the time when those eligible may enroll, change plans, or add eligible family members who are not currently enrolled, which then takes effect January 1st. Additionally, special enrollment allows for the addition of new dependents as a result of marriage, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption at anytime within 60 days of the change.

DENTAL BENEFITS
Each eligible State employee has 60 calendar days from the date of his or her initial appointment to enroll in a pre-paid dental plan. Enrollment is effective the first day of the month following your submission of a dental benefits enrollment form. You will be provided a Dental Plan Booklet that provides information regarding the plans available for enrollment, the cost of premiums, and the criteria for meeting enrollment eligibility for specific plans. For pre-paid dental plans, the State pays all monthly premiums, with no additional premium deducted from the employee's monthly pay. Upon completion of 24 qualifying pay periods, employees become eligible to enroll in a fee-for-service dental plan. The State of California provides a specific dollar amount to cover its "share" of the premium and the employee is required to pay any remaining balance, as applicable. After an employee's initial enrollment in a dental plan, they may elect to make changes to their dental plan/coverage, similar to that provided for health benefit changes.

VISION PLAN
Each eligible State employee is entitled to enroll in the State-sponsored vision service plan. This plan provides for each employee and their eligible dependents to receive an eye examination, lenses and a frame once every 12 months. The State pays 100% of the premium and the employee is required to pay a $10 deductible for an eye examination and a $25 deductible for materials (frame and/or lenses).