Seattle.gov Home Page City Services Staff Directory [WEB GRAPHIC] About Seattle.gov City Contacts
Seattle.gov Home Page
 SEARCH: 
Seattle.gov This Department
Link to Personnel Home Page Link to Personnel Home Page Link to Personnel About Us Page Link to Personnel Contact Us Page
Professional human resource management for the City's workforce Mark M. McDermott, Personnel Director
BENEFITS Print
 About Personnel
 City Employment
 Personnel Resources
 Employee Services
 - Benefits Information
 - Holiday Schedule
 - Workers' Comp
 Employee Verification

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package to non-represented employees that exceeds 30% of base salary. Benefit eligibility varies by job status—full-time or part-time; regular or temporary. In addition, the City has several collective bargaining agreements for designated represented positions. Benefits are negotiated and vary by contract. The following is a brief summary of the City's non-represented benefits.

Most employees receive medical, dental, vision, long-term disability and retirement benefits on the first day of the month coincident with or next following their date of employment.

Competitive Salary Ranges
View the current Salary Schedule for position pay ranges.

Medical Coverage

  • Group Health Deductible Plan
  • Group Health Standard Plan
  • City of Seattle Preventive Plan (Aetna)
  • City of Seattle Traditional Plan (Aetna)

Dental & Vision
Dental coverage is provided by Washington Dental Service or Willamette (Columbia) Dental Plan. In addition, the City covers vision through our provider VSP.

The City of Seattle pays all monthly premiums for dental and vision and a major portion of the monthly medical insurance premiums for employees, their families and domestic partners.

Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual rate increases with tenure as follows:

  • Years 0 through 4: 12 days
  • Years 5 through 9: 15 days
  • Years 10 through 14: 16 days
  • Years 15 through 19: 18 days
  • Years 20+: 1 day per year of service

Holidays &, Personal Days
Two paid personal days per year that may be taken anytime (with supervisor approval) and 10 paid holidays per year.

View Holiday Schedule

Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for ELIGIBLE dependent care and medical expenses for themselves and dependents.

Employee Assistance Program
Provides professional, confidential counseling to assist employees with personal or work related problems.

Transportation
The City provides a transportation allowance:

  • Subsidized monthly bus or ferry pass
  • Car pool—subject to availability and minimum number of passengers. Dependent on area in which you live and work.

Seattle City Employees' Retirement System (SCERS)
The plan is designed to reward service with a retirement income based on length of service, salary and age. Participation is mandatory for full time non exempt employees. Participation is optional for part time, temporary and exempt employees. As a participant you contribute 8.03% of your salary towards your retirement. Contributions and earnings are tax deferred. The City also pays 8.03% of your salary towards your retirement. You become vested (eligible for a monthly benefit at retirement age) at five years of service. If you leave City employment before retirement and withdraw your contributions, you will not be entitled to any of the City's contributions or a retirement benefit.

SCERS has dual membership with the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and with the retirement plans for the cities of Tacoma and Spokane. Generally your total service under all these retirement plans may be combined to qualify for retirement and the final average salary will be based on your highest salary, regardless of which system you are in at the time you retire. A withdrawal of your benefits from any of the plans voids inclusion of that service. If already withdrawn, you may be able to re-purchase your benefits by contacting the applicable plan administrator. If you’re leaving the City to work for an employer who may offer dual membership, check first with that employer to determine their requirements.

Deferred Compensation Plan
Voluntary pre-tax savings in 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for public employees.

Other Benefits

  • Funeral leave
  • Credit union membership
  • Direct deposit of paychecks
  • Educational Assistance
  • Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
  • Flexible work schedules (for some positions)
  • Hometown home loans
  • Jury Duty/Subpoenaed Witness leave
  • Military leave