Benefits

The City of Ventura offers a generous benefit package to our At-Will, regular and probationary status employees. Benefits may differ by classification and union bargaining unit.

Insurance

The City offers medical, dental, and life insurance plans for At-Will, probationary and regular status employees and their eligible dependents. The City makes contributions toward the cost of these plans, with employees picking up additional costs through payroll deductions. The City provides paid vision insurance coverage for At-Will, probationary and regular status employees and their eligible dependents, and short and long-term disability benefits for some employee bargaining units.

Retirement

At-Will, probationary and regular status employees are enrolled into membership with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Extra-Help employees, who qualify for membership, are also enrolled in CalPERS. Extra Help employees not enrolled in CalPERS are enrolled in a Part-Time, Temporary, Seasonal (PTS) 457(b) plan, which is funded by employee contributions. No Social Security is withheld from employee wages, but the City does withhold the required 1.45% Medicare tax. A 457(b) plan is offered to probationary and regular status employees, with the City making/matching contributions on behalf of some employee bargaining units.

Vacation

At-Will, probationary and regular status employees in some employee bargaining units receive vacation hours that accrue semi-monthly. Accrual rates vary by bargaining unit. Regular, part-time employees earn at a rate proportionate to their regular work schedules.

Sick

At-Will, probationary, and regular employees in some employee bargaining units receive sick leave that accrue semi-monthly. Accrual rates vary by bargaining unit. Regular, part-time employees earn at a rate proportionate to their regular work schedules. In accordance with California Labor Code Sections 245 through 249, Extra-Help employees are granted 24 hours of paid sick leave at the beginning each fiscal year.

Holiday

At-Will, probationary and regular status employees earn ten regular City paid holidays, and two Optional Holidays per calendar year. Regular, part-time employees earn at a rate proportionate to their regular work hours. Employees hired after January 1st of each calendar year, will receive prorated banks of Optional Holiday hours for the year.

Annual Leave

At-Will, probationary and regular status employees in the General and Maintenance Units receive Annual Leave hours that accrue semi-monthly. Accrual rates vary by bargaining unit. Regular, part-time employees earn at a rate proportionate to their regular work schedules.

Personal Leave

At-Will, probationary and regular status employees in some employee bargaining units receive Personal Leave hours that accrue semi-monthly. Accrual rates vary by bargaining unit, and are prorated for employees hired after January 1st of each calendar year. Regular, part-time employees earn at a rate proportionate to their regular work schedules.

Medical-Dental/Optional Benefit Contributions

Eligible At-Will, probationary and regular status employees receive semi-monthly contributions from the City to be used toward the cost of medical and dental insurance benefits. Optional benefit dollars not used toward the cost of purchasing a City medical and/or dental insurance plan can be paid as a cash benefit to the employee on a semi-monthly basis. Employees waiving the City’s medical insurance coverage are not eligible to receive a cash payment of unused Optional Benefit dollars. The City contribution varies by bargaining unit. Regular, part-time employees earn at a rate proportionate to their regular work hours.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Eligible At-Will, probationary and regular status employees are eligible to participate in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for qualifying medical and/or dependent care expenses.

Educational Assistance Program

All regular status employees are eligible to participate in the City’s Tuition Reimbursement Program. This reimbursement program provides up to $2,500 per fiscal year in educational reimbursements for the cost of tuition, required text books and mandatory health fees at accredited colleges and universities recognized by the Department of Education.