Ward County Benefits

WARD COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

RETIREMENT

Administered by North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS). Total contribution towards the main retirement for full-time employees is 15.26%, broken down as follows: 13.26% contributed by Ward County and 2.00% paid by the employee through payroll deduction.

Law Enforcement Employees also have a retirement plan administered by NDPERS. The total contribution towards the main retirement for full-time law enforcement employees is 16.45%, broken down as follows: 15.95% contributed by Ward County and 0.50% paid by the employee through payroll deduction.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Ward County pays 100% of the premiums for our employees and qualifying family members. Our current insurance carrier is NDPERS Sanford Health. 

LIFE INSURANCE

Ward County pays for a $7,000 basic life insurance plan for the employee, underwritten by Voya. The employee has the option to purchase additional life insurance for himself/herself, a spouse, and/or dependent(s) at an additional cost to the employee per pay period.

WORKER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE

All employees are protected by Workforce Safety against loss of income due to accidental injury and/or occupationally insured illnesses. If you should become injured at work, notify your supervisor and/or contact the Human Resources Department to complete an Accident Form and/or Workforce Safety form.

ANNUAL LEAVE

Through 3 Years8 Hours/month12 Days/year
4 Years thru 7 years10 Hours/month15 Days/year
8 years thru12 years12 hours/ month18 Days/year
13 years thru 18 years14 Hours/month21 Days/year
19 years thru separation of employment16 Hours/month27 Days/year


SICK LEAVE

Sick leave will accrue at the rate of 8 hours per month for full-time employees. Sick leave may be used for the employee’s own illness, appointments, or for a dependent's. 

FUNERAL LEAVE

Funeral leave is an approved leave of absence, with pay, of up to twenty-four (24) working hours, provided to an employee to attend or make arrangements for a funeral, as a result of a death in the employee’s family or in the family of an employee’s spouse.

Funeral leave is not considered annual or sick leave. The leave may be granted even if the absence interferes with the normal operations of the department. Family means spouse, son, daughter, father, mother, stepparents, brother, sister, grandparents, grandchildren, stepchildren, foster parents, foster children, father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, nephew, niece, and/or son-in-law. 

HOLIDAYS

There are ten (10) official paid holidays for Ward County per year:

New Year's Day
Labor Day
President's Day
Veterans Day
Good Friday
Thanksgiving
Memorial Day
The Day After Thanksgiving
 Fourth of July
Christmas Day

 

DENTAL, VISION, AND OTHER VOLUNTARY BENEFITS

Voluntary benefits are not funded by Ward County, but employees may enroll and pay through payroll deduction. 

  • Dental Insurance provided by Delta Dental Coverage
  • Vision Plan through MetLife Vision
  • MetLife Short Term Disability Insurance Options
  • Pre-Tax Group Aflac Flexible Benefit Products - Accident Insurance, Critical Care, and Hospital Indemnity Coverages
  • Wex Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Dependent Care FSA

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Ward County's 457 Deferred Retirement plan is managed by Nationwide. Our qualifying plan allows you to defer a portion of your taxes on earned income until a time in the future when you elect to withdraw it. 

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (at no cost to employee):

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through The Village Family Service Center is available to assist employees with mental health and other behavioral health needs.
  • The Ward County Wellness Plan offers a Fitness Reimbursement for participating Fitness Centers in Minot.