405 Vacation Leave
Original Approval Date: April 19, 1995
Revision Effective: April 15, 2025
Supersedes: April 20, 2016 version
Employees receive annual vacation leave according to their number of years of service.
Years of Service. For the purpose of computing vacation leave, “service” includes part-time and full-time work, other than as an elected officer, with state, county, city governments; general health districts; other political subdivisions of the state, or contract agencies of the Tri-County System. Service entities not listed above may be counted toward vacation at the discretion of the Executive Director.
Time spent on authorized leave of absence is counted in computing total service. This includes military leave, as long as the individual was an employee at least 90 days before the beginning of the leave. It also includes educational leaves of absence.
Accrual of Vacation. Employees accrue vacation time on the following schedule. The Executive Director shall accrue vacation time per his/her existing employment agreement or per this schedule if no current employment agreement exists:
0 - 5 years 2 weeks per year (3.1 hours per pay period)
5 - 8 years 3 weeks per year (4.6 hours per pay period)
8+ years 4 weeks per year (6.2 hours per pay period)
Vacation time for part-time and hourly employees is pro-rated. No paid vacation is given to employees working less than half-time. Vacation may be used after the completion of an employee’s initial probationary period.
Employees are permitted to accumulate and carry over vacation to the following year. However, no vacation leave shall be carried over for more than three (3) years.
Usage. Employees must request vacation time from their supervisor in advance of the requested time. Scheduling is subject to approval of the supervisor based on the operational needs of the Board.
Payment at Separation. Employees with one (1) or more years of service with the Board shall be paid for all earned but unused vacation leave, at the employee’s then current rate of pay, upon separation from service. Employees who are exercising the retire/rehire option through OPERS/STRS shall not be deemed to be separating from service for purposes of this policy if the retire/rehire dates are considered consecutive. Once earned and unused vacation leave is paid out, the employee will begin accruing leave again at their current rate based on the accrual schedule above. No additional payout of vacation leave shall be made to the employee. No probationary wait time will be required to use accumulated vacation hours under a retire/rehire.
Payment at Transfer. Employees with one (1) or more years of service who transfer to another County department or agency shall be paid for all earned but unused vacation leave, at the employee’s then current rate of pay.
Payment at Position Reduction. Employees with one (1) or more years of service whose position is reduced in hours to half-time or more may elect to be paid for all earned but unused vacation leave, at the employee’s then current rate of pay. The employee also may elect to retain earned but unused vacation hours on account, up to a maximum of one half of the prorated maximum for the position. If the employee elects to retain vacation on account, the difference between the total earned but unused leave and the number of hours to be retained will be paid out, at the employee’s then current rate of pay. The employee will notify the board executive director of his/her election in writing prior to the effective date of the reduction.
Employees with one (1) or more years of service whose position is reduced in hours below half time shall be paid for all earned but unused vacation leave, at the employee’s then current rate of pay.
Revision Effective: April 15, 2025
Supersedes: April 20, 2016 version
Employees receive annual vacation leave according to their number of years of service.
Years of Service. For the purpose of computing vacation leave, “service” includes part-time and full-time work, other than as an elected officer, with state, county, city governments; general health districts; other political subdivisions of the state, or contract agencies of the Tri-County System. Service entities not listed above may be counted toward vacation at the discretion of the Executive Director.
Time spent on authorized leave of absence is counted in computing total service. This includes military leave, as long as the individual was an employee at least 90 days before the beginning of the leave. It also includes educational leaves of absence.
Accrual of Vacation. Employees accrue vacation time on the following schedule. The Executive Director shall accrue vacation time per his/her existing employment agreement or per this schedule if no current employment agreement exists:
0 - 5 years 2 weeks per year (3.1 hours per pay period)
5 - 8 years 3 weeks per year (4.6 hours per pay period)
8+ years 4 weeks per year (6.2 hours per pay period)
Vacation time for part-time and hourly employees is pro-rated. No paid vacation is given to employees working less than half-time. Vacation may be used after the completion of an employee’s initial probationary period.
Employees are permitted to accumulate and carry over vacation to the following year. However, no vacation leave shall be carried over for more than three (3) years.
Usage. Employees must request vacation time from their supervisor in advance of the requested time. Scheduling is subject to approval of the supervisor based on the operational needs of the Board.
Payment at Separation. Employees with one (1) or more years of service with the Board shall be paid for all earned but unused vacation leave, at the employee’s then current rate of pay, upon separation from service. Employees who are exercising the retire/rehire option through OPERS/STRS shall not be deemed to be separating from service for purposes of this policy if the retire/rehire dates are considered consecutive. Once earned and unused vacation leave is paid out, the employee will begin accruing leave again at their current rate based on the accrual schedule above. No additional payout of vacation leave shall be made to the employee. No probationary wait time will be required to use accumulated vacation hours under a retire/rehire.
Payment at Transfer. Employees with one (1) or more years of service who transfer to another County department or agency shall be paid for all earned but unused vacation leave, at the employee’s then current rate of pay.
Payment at Position Reduction. Employees with one (1) or more years of service whose position is reduced in hours to half-time or more may elect to be paid for all earned but unused vacation leave, at the employee’s then current rate of pay. The employee also may elect to retain earned but unused vacation hours on account, up to a maximum of one half of the prorated maximum for the position. If the employee elects to retain vacation on account, the difference between the total earned but unused leave and the number of hours to be retained will be paid out, at the employee’s then current rate of pay. The employee will notify the board executive director of his/her election in writing prior to the effective date of the reduction.
Employees with one (1) or more years of service whose position is reduced in hours below half time shall be paid for all earned but unused vacation leave, at the employee’s then current rate of pay.
