Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time regular status. These benefits do not apply to temporary appointments.
Scheduled salary increases include the following:
- July 1, 2024: 6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
- July 14, 2025: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
- July 13, 2026: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
- Annual Merit Increases: Eligible employees are eligible for 3% merit increase on an annual basis until they reach the top of their salary range, based on meeting expectations on their performance review.
Vacation: 12 days/year, increasing to a max of 23 days/year.
Sick Leave: 8 days/year, increasing to max of 15 days/year.
Paid Holidays: 14 days/year, including employee's birthday and two floating holidays.
Alternative Work Schedule: A 9/80 work schedule may be available based on the needs of the department. Upon approval, employees would work 80 hours over 9 days and enjoy one day off every two weeks. Some Operations department staff may be subject to a 4/10 work schedule (four 10-hour days within a week).
PERS Retirement: The District contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan that includes a lifetime benefit determined by a set formula (years of service, age at retirement, and final compensation). Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).
Employee Contributions:
New Member (hired on or after 1/1/13 who are new CalPERS members or do not have reciprocity with CalPERS):
- Are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 formula based on the employee's 36 months of highest average annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.
- District and employees share the normal employee CalPERS service contribution cost. Employees contribute 7.5% of salary toward the employee CalPERS service contribution cost up to the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.
Classic Member (hired before January 1, 2013, or who have reciprocity with CalPERS):
- Are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 55 formula based on the employee's single highest year annual compensation.
- Employees contribute 8% of salary towards the employee CalPERS service contribution cost.
The District is also a Social Security participant and the District and employee make contributions.
Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (457 Plan): Optional plan designed to provide employees with additional retirement income. Employees may elect to contribute a portion of their income on a pre-tax or post-tax basis through payroll deductions.
Medical/Rx Insurance: Choice of Blue Shield PPO, EPO, HMO or Kaiser HMO plans, 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% for dependent(s).
Dental Insurance: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% paid for dependent(s).
Vision: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 0% for dependent(s).
Flexible Benefits Plan: The District offers a healthcare and dependent care flexible benefits plan. The healthcare account reimburses the employee on a pre-tax basis for medical, pharmacy, dental and other related expenses not covered by the insurance plans. The dependent care account allows employees to pay for employment-related dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
Group Term Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: 100% premium paid by the District for employee and eligible dependent(s). Depending on employees' annual earnings and/or position, amounts of Life and AD&D insurance range from $15,000 to $50,000. Eligible dependents have life insurance coverage of $1,000.
Voluntary Life Insurance: Employees may elect to cover themselves and eligible dependents for voluntary life insurance. The full cost of this insurance is paid by the employee via payroll deductions
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance: The District provides short-term and long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income after a 30-day elimination period (90-day elimination period for long term disability) if totally disabled due to illness or injury.
Education Reimbursement Program: Employees are eligible to receive reimbursement for District approved courses not to exceed $3,000 per fiscal year.
Certification Incentive Program: Eligible District employees that obtain target certifications that exceed the minimum job requirements may qualify for either a base pay percentage increase or receive a monetary incentive.
Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential referrals and counseling concerning personal, family, or work-related issues for employees and their dependents.
Free Onsite Workout Facility: The District has a fully equipped exercise room for employees to use before work, after work or during lunchtime.
Yoga Classes: On-site Yoga classes are offered during the lunch hour at the employee's expense.
Retirement Benefits:
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) effective September 1, 2024: A Health Reimbursement Arrangement is an interest-bearing, employer-funded account created in your name to reimburse you tax-free in retirement for eligible medical expenses and premiums. Otay Water District makes deposits of employer contributions and mandatory employee contributions while you are employed, but you will not be able to access funds until retirement or separation of service, having met Otay Water District’s vesting requirements.
Tier II Eligibility for All Full-time Regular Employees Hired On or After September 1, 2024:
All full-time, regular employees hired on or after September 1, 2024, will participate in a mandatory HRA Plan. The District and the employee will make contributions to the HRA Plan.
The District will contribute $4,000 annually to the employee’s HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District for a maximum period of twenty (20) years. The employee will contribute $1,000.00 annually (or $40 per pay period for the first twenty-five [25] pay periods of the calendar year) to their HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District. There is a vesting schedule for this Plan as set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Otay Water District Employees Association, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
