EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

INSURANCE

Core Benefits - Long Term Disability Insurance and Basic Life Insurance of one (1) times annual salary with a minimum of $15,000 is provided to all eligible employees.  Additional life insurance for employee/spouse is available.

 Benefit Credits - Pre-Tax Section 125 cafeteria-style benefits program.  Credit of $5,164 FY05, and $5,494 FY06 for eligible full-time employees to use toward cost of benefits.  Choices include Sharp or Kaiser medical, PacifiCare Prepaid or PacifiCare PPO/Indemnity dental, and supplemental life insurance for employee, spouse, children.  Group or outside medical coverage required.  Domestic partner coverage offered by Health, Dental & Life plans.  Employees receive payment for unused benefits credits.

 Flexible Spending Account - Reimbursement of eligible expenses (dependent care and uninsured health) with pre-tax dollars made by payroll withholding.

RETIREMENT

Pension vesting credit is provided for prior immediate public agency service with a California Government entity or a Housing Authority in the U. S.  Equivalent to 14% of employee's earnings contributed towards retirement (defined contribution plan) for regular employees only.  Employees may elect to make additional retirement contributions through payroll deductions and withdraw these accumulations once a year.  Retirement vesting: Fully vested after 4 years based on 1000 hours of service July 1 to June 30.  Plan Year 1 (25%), Plan Year 2 (50%), Plan Year 3 (75%), Plan Year 4 (100%).  Normal retirement age is 62.  Access to funds occurs upon termination from employment, retirement, or regular disability.  Temporary employees have payroll deductions of 3.75% and receive a 3.75% matching contributions from the Commission toward a retirement plan while employed in temporary status.  Accumulations are 100% refundable on termination from employment.  Distributions are subject to taxation.

 SOCIAL SECURITY EXEMPT

No contribution to Social Security, saving 6.20% of taxable gross earnings. 

 MANDATORY DEDUCTIONS

Along with other normal state and federal withholdings, a Medicare tax of 1.45% of gross earnings is deducted from each paycheck.

Effective January 1, 2004, California State Disability Insurance deductions will increase from 0.9% to 1.18%. This increase includes the 0.08% for the new Paid Family Leave program.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Salaries  1.5% increase to salary ranges effective 7/1/04

Annual Leave - Paid time away from work for illness of self, family or vacation.  New full-time employees accrue equivalent to 18 days per year. Terminating employees are paid in full for unused leave. 

Pay in lieu of annual leave - Employees eligible for 80 hrs pay each fiscal year.

Holidays - 12 paid holidays per year.

Credit Union - Optional Participation (payroll deposit/free checking).

 Mileage - IRS standard rate.

Transportation Reimbursement - 80% of cost of monthly bus or Trolley pass.

Tuition Reimbursement - Available to benefits eligible employees for course work that enhances skills and abilities of employees. $2,000 maximum per fiscal year.

Recreation - Discounts to theme parks & theaters.  (Exercise room avail.)

Bilingual Pay - Some positions are bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese or Laotian.  (.41¢/hr for non-technical and .51¢/hr for technical bilingual skills.)

Child Care - Discounted rates to City of San Diego Child Care Center.

Short Term Awards - $250, $500, $750 or $1,000 for performance recognition.

MANAGEMENT BENEFITS

Benefit Credits - Eligible full-time employees in the Executive and Management Service receive $1,500, Managers receive $2,000 and Executives receive $2,500 in additional benefit credits.

 Annual Leave  - New Managers and Executives accrue 28 days per year.

Pay in Lieu of Annual Leave - Executives and Managers are eligible for 120 hours pay in lieu of annual leave each fiscal year.         

Car Allowance – Executives receive $300 per month.

UNION

Employees hired into union-represented classifications have the right to join and participate in the Social Services Union Local 535, AFL-CIO, or not join.  Effective January 2004 Fees/dues are 1.65% of gross earnings to a maximum of $86.00 per month.  (Subject to change)

MANDATORY WORK FURLOUGH

FY05 employees take 4 days off without pay between Christmas & New Years, with two days additional furlough (11/12/04 & 4/1/05); 48 hrs of pay will be deducted equivalently from each pay period. 

 OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to an offer of employment, candidates are subject to a complete employment, professional and personal reference check to include work performance factors and educational & certificate information.  A Reference Check Authorization Form must be completed prior to Job Offer.  AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON PASSING A BACKGROUND, CRIMINAL HISTORY, AND DRIVING RECORD CHECK, AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND APPROVAL. 

Conviction Record Form - Must be completed before hire. Conviction records are evaluated on a case-by-case basis considering the type and seriousness of the crime, time, and nature of job and not necessarily a basis for disqualification. 

U.S. Right To Work - Employment is contingent upon presentation of proof of right to work in the United States and positive identification.

Physical Examination - Employment is contingent upon passing a physical that may include a drug screening. 

Driver's License - Some positions require possession of a valid Class 3 (C) Calif. Driver's License and use of own vehicle.  Employees in positions requiring a CDL must maintain driving privilege with the State D.M.V. and be insurable under the Commission's insurance carrier.

Conflict of Interests - Policy prohibits conflict of interests, outside employment, financial interests and other actions or activities which may be incompatible with Standards of Conduct for employment.  Employment is contingent upon disclosure and approval of such interests and activities.

Probationary Period - 6 months probationary period for all new hires with performance reviews at 3, 6 and 12 months.  (Employment may be ended at any time during new hire probation without appeal.  The new hire probationary period may be extended. Exec. & Mgmt Svc & temp employees are not subject to probation.)

Salary Review – 1st merit step increase based upon 12-month satisfactory performance for employees hired at any step within the salary range. Exec & Mgmt Svc & temp employees paid within range subject to CEO approval.

Pay Dates - Biweekly.

Drug Free Workplace

Smoke Free Offices - Smoking prohibited in offices/public meeting areas.

Zero Tolerance of Threats  - Policy prohibits threats in the workplace

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS (NEPOTISM)

Administrative Regulation prohibits favoritism shown to a relative (person related by blood, marriage, or corresponding relationship by affinity, or other personal relationship such as a former spouse, personal relationship between persons who share the same household, or domestic partner, or corresponding relationship by affinity). The Administrative Regulation also applies to transfers, demotions, lateral re-assignments, and promotions for reasons of supervision, safety, security and morale. Disclosure is required for employment.  Applicants are encouraged to obtain a complete copy of Administrative Regulation 701.400, entitled NEPOTISM, and to read and understand the entire regulation, since it may affect the rights of applicants and their relations who are employed by the Commission in a significant manner.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Housing Commission supports workplace diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, political/religious affiliation, sexual orientation, AIDS or HIV status, cancer, or non-job related physical/mental disability.  We are committed to making jobs, programs, and services accessible to all persons and to comply with all ADA non-discrimination requirements in employment practices. Contact Human Resources or the EO Officer for inquiries or issues.

If you need bilingual assistance, in any language, call (619) 578-7740. Para asistencia en español, llame (619) 578-7740.

To obtain this information in alternative formats, persons with disabilities may call for TTY/TTD 1(800) 877-8339

Candidates must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without special accommodation.  Upon request, accommodation in the examination/selection process can be made by calling Human Resources at (619) 578-7740.