Career Employee Benefits
Vacation: Three weeks paid annually (ten hours accrued per month). This amount increases after ten, fifteen, and twenty years of service.
Sick Leave: Twelve days paid annually (eight hours accrued per month); no maximum limit.
Holidays: Twelve paid holidays annually.
Medical Plans: Several health insurance plans are available for eligible employees and dependents. The Lab contributes significantly toward the costs of the plans.
Dental Plans: Two comprehensive Laboratory-paid dental plans are available for eligible employees and dependents.
Vision Care Plan: A comprehensive Laboratory-paid vision plan is available for eligible employees and dependents.
Disability Insurance: Employee-paid insurance provides short- and long-term disability benefits in addition to Lab-paid disability benefits.
Life Insurance: Free life insurance is provided for employees, and you may purchase extra life insurance. You may also purchase dependent life insurance.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: Available as an employee-paid benefit.
Legal Expense Insurance Plan: This employee-paid plan helps with preventive, domestic, consumer, and defensive legal services.
Tax Savings Plans: Employee-paid health insurance premiums may be deducted on a pretax basis. DepCare, a flexible spending account, lets you shelter eligible dependent care expenses from taxes up to specific IRS limits.
Career Retirement Benefits
Not only does the Laboratory offer competitive salaries, generous leave, and comprehensive insurance packages, but eligible employees also participate in the University of California Retirement System (UCRS) in addition to the Federal Social Security program.
Defined Benefit Plan: The University of California Retirement Plan (UCRP) is a defined benefit (pension) plan. Benefits paid at the time of retirement are based on several factors including years of service, salary, and age. Membership in UCRP is a condition of employment for career positions.
Defined Contribution Plans: The Laboratory offers two defined contribution plans. Benefits are based on the amount of money contributed to the plan and the interest or income earned on that investment. Participation in the tax-deferred 403(b) plan is voluntary. These plans have six UC-managed funds in which participants may invest. In addition, Fidelity Investments and The Calvert Group provides mutual fund investment options.
For more information on any of these plans, please visit the University of California Employee Benefits Plan Administration web site.
The Extras
Career Opportunities and Training: The Laboratory encourages career development. Eligible employees may receive time off and tuition reimbursement for classes at nearby universities or reduced fees for classes taken at the University of California. A variety of on-site computer training courses are also available.
Employee Assistance: The Laboratory offers a free, confidential problem assessment and referral service to help employees deal with personal and work issues. Help is also provided to employees with child and eldercare concerns.
Health Services: The Health Services Department has a professional staff of doctors and nurses providing emergency medical care, periodic health evaluations, education, counseling, and other services.
Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities: The Lab will provide, upon the applicant's request, reasonable accommodations to enable the applicant to participate in the selection process and/or perform the essential functions of the job.
Other: The Employee Activities Association sponsors groups representing the diversity of the Berkeley Lab community. The Recreation Association sponsors several clubs and activities. The Employee's Buying Service offers discounts on merchandise and tickets to special events and amusement parks. Employees can buy memberships and passes to University of California athletic and recreational facilities. A free shuttle bus connects with the Rockridge and Downtown Berkeley BART stations and other stops in Berkeley. Employees have a choice of two credit unions, direct deposit options, and the use of an on-site Wells Fargo Bank ATM.
