Employee Benefits

Multnomah County provides an extremely generous and comprehensive benefits program to employees. Family members, including qualified domestic partners, are covered under most Multnomah County benefits programs. An overview of our benefits programs is provided below; however, benefits vary depending on bargaining unit affiliation and employment status. More detailed information can be obtained by contacting the Multnomah County Benefits Unit at the number listed below.

Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental): Four medical/vision options and two dental options are offered to employees. Coverage is included for the employee and immediate family, i.e. spouse or domestic partner and eligible dependent children. The County pays most of the cost of health care premiums, with employees paying a small share. Eligibility begins on the first of the month following employment. There is also an Opt Out option, which provides a cash payment to employees who have group coverage under another health plan and decline coverage through Multnomah County.

Paid Leave (Vacation, Holidays, Sick Time, Bereavement Leave): New employees typically receive 12 vacation days a year in represented positions. This amount increases substantially with length of service with the County, and differs among bargaining units. In addition to paid vacation time, employees receive:

• Ten paid holidays each year.
• 12 days of sick leave per year (for full-time employees) with no maximum accrual. Unused sick leave may be converted to retirement service credit.
• Three days of fully paid bereavement leave. This may be extended up to six days if substantial travel is involved.

Flexible Work Schedules: Depending on assignment, Multnomah County offers a variety of flexible work schedules to meet employee needs.

Retirement: County employees are included in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The County pays both the employer and the employee's share of the retirement contribution (six percent of wages). Employees are vested in PERS after five (5) years of contributions or when they reach age 50. Additional information on PERS may be found on their website: www.pers.state.or.us.

Continued medical insurance through the County is also available to eligible employees upon retirement. Eligible employees receive a 50% subsidy on medical insurance depending upon bargaining unit affiliation, age at retirement, and years of service with the County.

Life Insurance: The County provides life insurance at no cost to employees under a term life insurance policy. Levels of coverage are based upon bargaining units, employment status and annual salaries. Employees may purchase additional insurance for themselves and eligible dependents, including domestic partners.

Disability Program: Employees are automatically enrolled in a County-paid long-term disability program. Specific terms and conditions of this program may vary, depending upon the bargaining unit.

Deferred Compensation: Retirement savings programs are available to employees. This is an Internal Revenue Service 457 Plan where employees make contributions to the plans through pre-tax payroll deductions.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Employees may elect to participate in the Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) or the Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP). Employee contributions are made with pre-tax payroll deductions; these plans operate under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Bus Pass Program: The County provides a bus pass to all regular employees. The Bus Pass program provides free public transportation throughout the Portland metropolitan area, including TriMet, Max and CTran.

Additional Benefits for Management Employees: In addition to the benefits outlined above, management employees also receive fully paid short-term disability insurance, a higher level of life insurance coverage, and an additional two days of vacation per year. Management employees are also eligible for additional paid leave, special salary increases and bonus payments as recognition for exceptional performance.

NOTE: This is a general description of the benefits offered through employment with Multnomah County, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. In the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, rules, collective bargaining agreements or official plan documents will prevail.

Contact Multnomah County's Employee Benefits Office for additional information.
Website link: http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/dbcs/hr/benefits/
Telephone: (503) 988-3477
E-mail: emplhlthbnft@co.multnomah.or.us