County of Northampton

Working for Northampton County is an amazing opportunity for anyone interested in growing professionally and making a lasting impact. We strive to provide meaningful work and a supportive team-oriented environment. We foster a culture of growth and development, offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. In addition, we are committed to making a positive impact in our community and we strive to create a workplace where everyone feels included, respected, and appreciated.

Build a Career  

Northampton County provides employees with ongoing training and development opportunities to help them stay up to date on the latest technologies and industry trends.

Northampton County offers:

Career Development: Ongoing training and development to keep employees updated on technologies and industry trends.

Salary Increases:

• Step Increases: Regular full-time employees may receive a 1.5% increase annually for successful performance, pending Board of Supervisors approval.
• Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA): General compensation increases may be granted based on recommendations and approvals.

Training and Education Program: Encourages development through training programs to enhance job performance and promote career advancement. Specialized external training may be approved when necessary.

Performance Management System: Aims to help employees reach their full potential by enhancing supervisor-employee communication regarding work goals and performance measures, fostering commitment and job satisfaction.

Salary Increases

Step Increase
The performance of regular full-time employees shall be reviewed annually. If Board of Supervisors (BOS) approve during the annual budget process or as a budget amendment, an employee may be entitled to a 1.5% step increase for successful job performance. Performance increases shall be awarded to employees in accordance with the County's performance evaluation system.

COLA (Cost of Living)
Increases Upon the recommendation of the County Administrator and with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, a general compensation increase for all classes of positions may be granted. These increases could be in the form of a cost-of-living adjustment or of any other conditions which warrant salary changes. A general compensation increase shall be applied to the compensation schedule where applicable.

Employee Training and Education Program

The County encourages the development and utilization of training and education programs for persons in County employment that enhance the employee’s ability to perform their work more effectively and/or to qualify for promotion within the employees' career field. Such programs shall be planned, coordinated, and conducted so as to maximize the effectiveness of training and education funds available within departments. Where subject matter and available resources do not permit the use of in-service training, specialized training or education courses by outside resources may be approved. Continuing education requirements to maintain certifications and licenses are covered under this policy. 

Performance Management System

The purpose of this policy is to help all employees reach their full potential, both as individuals and as assets to Northampton County. Providing maximum involvement of employees in setting work goals and reviewing achievement will lead to increased commitment and job satisfaction at all levels of County employment.

To further this purpose, this policy is designed to establish and improve supervisor/employee communication. Communication is an essential part of the supervisor/employee relationship. The job to be done, the measures of success to be used, the tools and support needed, and how the employee is performing all need to be stated clearly and understood by both parties.

Generous Benefits

Take care of yourself and your family

Northampton County offers generous benefits to employees, including:

Health Care:

• Employer contributes 80% of employee premiums in the top tier.  An employee may enroll in the wellness program making health care in some cases virtually free. Additional contributions from the County for an employee + 1 and employee + family further bring the costs down making health care affordable 
• Local Choice Health Benefits Program includes medical, behavioral health, EAP, and dental coverage.
• Preventive care, specialist visits, and eye exams included.
• Flexible benefit options like Flexible Saving Accounts and Health Savings Accounts.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

• Free, confidential support for employees and their families, regardless of insurance.
• Services cover health, stress, mental health, financial/legal issues, and more.

• Unlimited access 24/7 with four free in-person visits per incident per year.

County ICHRA & Wellness Benefits:

•  ICHRA helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare.

• Wellness Program incentivizes healthy lifestyles, reducing bi-weekly premiums.

Unemployment Insurance:

•  Provided at no cost to employees.

Workers' Compensation:

• Coverage for occupational injuries as required by law, starting after 7 days of absence.

Travel and Expense Reimbursement:

•  Reimbursement for legitimate work-related travel, requiring pre-approval from department heads.

Health Care

The County currently offers a health care program to its employees. The County shares the cost of selected coverage with the employees at a rate authorized by the Board of Supervisors. In the top tier, Northampton County's employer contribution to premium per pay period is 80% for employees. 

The Local Choice Health Benefits Program offers: 
• Medical, Behavioral Health, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Prescription Drug benefits administered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• Preventive and Comprehensive dental benefits administered by Delta Dental
• 100% coverage for in-network preventive care, no deductible • Specialist visits with no referrals
• One routine eye exam per plan year • In-network coverage through the Anthem PPO network in Virginia, and the BlueCard® PPO and Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Programs for care outside Virginia

Northampton County also offers plans with Flexible Benefit Administrators that administers

• Flexible Saving Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Health Reimbursement Arrangements.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The EAP offers all Part-time and Full-time employees and household members free and confidential telephone assistance and in person referrals even if the employee does not have health insurance through the County.
EAP's services include but are not limited to:
• Health and Wellness
• Stress
• Parenting and child care
• Depression or Anxiety
• Financial/ legal Services
• Workplace Issues
• Mental Health
• Alcoholism & Substance Abuse
• Education, and more

EAP is unlimited 24/7 and has toll-free access. There are 4 free-in persons visits for employees. Sessions are applied per incident per year so members can use the EAP for multiple reasons and receive the full benefit each time. EAP benefits and all information is kept confidential.

County ICHRA & Wellness Benefits

ICHRA is a tax-advantaged plan that is employer-funded and can be used for approved healthcare expenses on an annual basis. This allows the employee to reduce their out-of pocket expenses. ICHRA allows employees to have a wellness benefit. The adjustment is made in equal installments of 24 pay periods beginning on the date the employee is eligible to participate.

Wellness Program is an optional program designed as an incentive to maintain a healthy lifestyle for all employees. This program, if employees choose to participate, helps reduce the bi-weekly premiums by allowing the employee to take the Wellness Form to their Provider to have them complete and send back in to the contact information listed on the bottom of the form or the employee has the option of participating by completing a Biometric Screening during Open Enrollment or having the form completed by a medical provider. The form is available in your new hire packet or HR Department.

Unemployment Insurance

The County provides unemployment insurance at no cost to the employee.

Workers' Compensation

County employees are covered under the Workers' Compensation Act, to the extent required by law, in the event an employee sustains an occupational injury or disease as a result of, or in the course of, work performed for the County. Compensation is paid at the rate specified by the Act and begins when the employee is out of work for more than seven (7) consecutive calendar days.

Travel and Expense Reimbursement

It is the policy f Northampton County to reimburse employees for legitimate work-related travel and out of pocket expenses. All business trips and associated travel details by County employees will be pre-approved by the department heads and/ or directors.

Work Life Balance 

Vacation, sick leave and paid holidays

Paid Holidays:

• 13 paid holidays annually
• Employees receive 8 hours' pay for each holiday. Overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked on a holiday, plus regular rate for hours over 8.

Vacation Leave:

• Accrued biweekly, based on an 8-hour workday.
• Charged in 15-minute increments.
• Maximum carryover of 288 hours (36 days).
• Compensation for unused leave upon separation.
  
  

Sick Leave:

• Earned at 3.6923 hours per pay period, with no accumulation limit.
• Benefits and seniority retained during approved sick leave.

Compensatory Leave:

• Awarded instead of paid overtime, at time and a half for hours over FLSA threshold.
• Maximum accumulation of 240 hours; excess hours paid as overtime.

Flex Time:

• Not accumulated for exempt employees but may be granted for additional hours worked.

Other Leave Types:

• Family & Medical Leave
• Funeral Leave
• Military Leave
• Civil Court Leave

Meal Times and Work Breaks are also included in the policies.

Paid Holidays 

13 Paid Holidays a Year

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
President's Birthday Memorial Day
*Juneteenth Day
*Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Election Day
*Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving
Day After Thanksgiving
Christmas Day

All employees will be paid 8 hours at their normal hourly rate for each of the holidays listed above. Employees who work on one of the above holidays will be additionally compensated with holiday overtime @ 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for the hours worked. Should the employee work in excess of 8 hours on a holiday, they will receive additional holiday compensation equivalent to their regular hourly rate for each hour worked in excess of 8.

Vacation Leave

Vacation will be accrued biweekly per the pay schedule. All regular full-time employees of Northampton County shall be granted annual leave based on an eight (8) hour work day. Leave shall be charged in 15 minutes increments. Eligible employees separating from County employment, through retirement, resignation, termination or death shall be compensated for unused annual leave. Vacation leave is cumulative until December 31 of each year. The maximum accumulation (“carry over amount”) is 288 hours or 36 days.

Sick Leave

Regular full-time employees earn sick leave at the rate of 3.6923 hours per pay period. Sick leave shall be accumulated at the rate of 3.6923 hours per pay period worked and will accrue at the end of each pay period with no limit of accumulation. Regular full-time employees on leave without pay for any portion of the pay period will not accumulate a sick leave accrual. Employees shall retain all benefits and seniority while on approved sick leave.

Compensatory Leave

Compensatory time off shall be awarded in lieu of paid overtime for non-exempt employees whenever possible and is awarded at time and one-half for hours worked over the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) threshold. Compensatory time can only be accumulated to a max of 240 hours. After the employee have reached the max of compensatory; any hours worked greater than 40 will be paid at overtime.

Flex Time

“Flex” time off for employees exempt from the FLSA overtime provisions is not earned or accumulated. Reasonable amounts of “flex” time may be provided by the County Administrator or the department head, as appropriate, for exempt employees, if extended periods of overtime work are necessitated by the requirements of the position.

Other Leave Time: 

• Family & Medical Leave 
• Funeral Leave
• Military Leave
• Civil Court Leave 

Meal times and work breaks

Be Valued 

Receive acknowledgment and financial rewards for outstanding performance and contributions.

• Employees are recognized and rewarded for exceptional performance based on their years of service, with a structured acknowledgment program providing financial rewards and letters of appreciation.
• Additionally, Northampton County is V3-certified, promoting best practices in hiring and retaining veterans.

Employee Recognition Program 

The nature and extent of the recognition varies with the length of service and is to be based on the following schedule:
Years of Completed Service Recognition
At 5  $20.00 per year and a letter of appreciation from the Department Head
At 10  $20.00 per year and a letter of appreciation from the County Administrator. 
At 15  $20.00 per year and a letter of appreciation from the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
At 20  $20.00 per year and a mounted Resolution honoring the recipient from the Board of Supervisors. 
At 25  $20.00 per year and a framed “Quarter Century of Service” certificate. 
At 30  $20.00 per year and one week off. 
At 35  $20.00 per year and one week off.
At 40  $20.00 per year and one week off.
At 45  $20.00 per year and two weeks off

Depending upon the employee's function within County government or record of outstanding performance, the County Administrator may recommend to the Board the adoption of a Resolution of appreciation at any level of service.

Virginia Values Veterans (V3 Program)

Northampton County has completed all training requirements to become a V3-certified locality through the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program.

The Virginia Values Veterans Program is a free training and certification program for employers to help them implement nationally recognized best practices in recruiting, hiring, and retaining highly-skilled and dependable Veterans.

Invest in Your Future 

• Retirement System: Mandatory 5% employee plus an additional 10.87% County contribution to the Virginia Retirement System for full-time employees, who are fully vested after five years.
• Life Insurance: Automatic enrollment in group term life insurance offering benefits of double the annual salary for natural death and four times the salary for accidental death.
• Credit Union: Employees have full membership eligibility with the Virginia Credit Union, allowing direct deposit of paychecks or payroll deductions into their accounts.

Virginia Retirement System

The County provides and funds through an agreement with the Virginia Retirement System, a supplemental retirement program to Social Security benefits. Participation is mandatory for all regular full-time employees. Employees are fully vested in the program after five consecutive years of membership. Learn more on the Virginia Retirement System website.

Life Insurance

Regular full-time employees are automatically enrolled in a group term life insurance program. Coverage is mandatory and managed by the Virginia Retirement System Life Insurance agency. Benefits for natural death are equal to the employee's annual salary rounded up to the next thousand and then doubled; benefits for accidental death are equal to four times the annual salary, rounded up to the next thousand.

Credit Union

The County is within the field of membership of the Virginia Credit Union and its employees enjoy full membership eligibility for all of the Credit Union's programs. Employees have the option to deposit their entire paycheck or authorize a payroll deduction directly into their credit union account.

Please see the Northampton County Personnel Policy Handbook for more details about all of the County benefits and employee incentives.