Benefits

An overview of employee benefits available at WSDOT.

We understand that maintaining health and financial security for you and your family is an essential part of life. That is why choice is a key component of our benefits packages. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you are able to mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Insurance benefits

Employees and their families are provided options:

  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Basic Life insurance
  • Basic Long Term Disability insurance

To view premium rates and coverage options, visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.

As a new employee, you also have the option to shop for health insurance at the Marketplace (also known as the Health Insurance Exchange). For more information visit HealthCare.gov or by phone at 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).

Flexible Spending Account Program

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending plan. This program allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for expenses such as co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and various other healthcare expenses. For more details visit the Washington State Health Care Authority website.

Retirement

WSDOT employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. You can find more details on the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems website.

Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows personal control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer, as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. There is automatic enrollment in DCP for new full-time employees.

Paid time off

Sick leave

Employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave can be used for the following reasons: illness, injury, preventative health care, exposure to a contagious disease that might endanger others, disability due to pregnancy or childbirth, and illness injury or death of relatives.

Vacation leave

Full-time employees will earn a minimum 14 days of paid vacation. Vacation hours are accrued every month and the rate increases the longer you work with us.

Years of State Service (Full-time)

Vacation Hours Accrued Per Month

1 - 2

9.33333

3

10

4

10.66667

5 - 6

11.33333

7 - 9

12

10 - 14

12.33333

15 - 19

14.66667

20 - 24

16

25 or more

16.66667

Paid holidays

Full-time WSDOT employees receive 12 paid holidays.

Holiday

Date

New Year's Day

January 1

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday

3rd Monday in January

President's Day

3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day

Last Monday in May

Juneteenth June 19

Independence Day

July 4

Labor Day

1st Monday in September

Veteran's Day

November 11

Thanksgiving

4th Thursday in November

Native American Heritage Day

4th Friday in November

Christmas Day

December 25

Personal Holiday

once per calendar year

Additional paid time off

Civil leave

Employees are granted paid leave for jury duty or to perform other civil services.

Military leave

Employees are granted paid leave for military training, up to a maximum of 21 days within a one year time period. Employees entering military service, U.S. Peace Corps or U.S. Public Service for active duty are entitled to leave of absence, without pay. The employee will be restored to his or her position, or one of similar classification and salary, in state service if reinstatement is requested within 90 days after release from active duty.

Modern work environment

Infant at Work (IAW) Program

Research proves that allowing a parent and infant to remain together in this early stage of life supports critical bonding, healthy infant brain development, parental wellbeing and enables exclusive breastfeeding, which improves lifelong health. The IAW program allows eligible mothers, fathers and legal guardians to return to work with their infant.

Telework

Telework is a formal work arrangement that allows eligible employees to perform their work from an offsite location. Telework is an important tool for achieving a resilient results-oriented workforce, allowing WSDOT to be more adaptive and responsive to customers, and optimizing our facility footprint. Teleworking also promotes commute reduction.

Flexible schedules

WSDOT offers a variety of schedule options. Eligible employees can choose to work outside of the standard 8 to 5, Monday-Friday. Having the flexibility to adjust your start and finish times and choose which days you work promotes more work-life balance. Employees can also use flexible schedules to align start and stop times with other commute reduction alternatives.

Continued education

WSDOT Tuition Reimbursement Program

WSDOT offers tuition reimbursement for eligible employees who successfully complete coursework or training, outside of work hours, that is directly related to their current job or career ladder. Reimbursement is limited to $4,000 per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).

State employee tuition exemption

The governing boards of state universities, regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and community and technical colleges may waive all or a portion of tuition, service and activity fees for Washington state employees. More information is available on each college/university website.

Assistance programs

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The EAP is a free, confidential program created to promote the health, safety and well-being of public employees. More than 90,000 public employees have access to EAP services to help them address work and personal concerns. The program can help employees, and their families, with a wide range of personal or work-related concerns, including but not limited to depression, stress anxiety, anger, parenting issues, workplace issues, marital or relationship issues, grief and loss. In addition, the EAP offers services to assist employees with legal and financial concerns. When you are ready to get help, the EAP will be there for you.

For more information, check out the Washington State EAP website. Your first consultation is free.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

Child and elder care can be one of the largest expenses for a family. The DCAP allows state employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars from each paycheck to help pay for qualifying child care or elder care expenses while you (and your spouse or state-registered domestic partner) attend school full-time, work or look for work.

For more information, check out the Washington State DCAP website.

Slow down on ice and snow.

It's easier to skid or lose control traveling at higher speeds. Give yourself more time to stop.

Carry chains, practice installing them.

Winter conditions could mean chains are required on your route. Practice putting them on your vehicle ahead of time.

Pack your winter car kit.

Carry extra supplies like warm clothing, ice scraper and brush, jumper cables and other emergency items.