Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Faculty and Staff Resources

Staff Employment Overview

Every employee of KCTCS is valued for their essential role in the overall accomplishment of the system's major goals and objectives. This summary will provide you with an overview of the benefits available, as of the time of publication, to regular, full-time staff. The descriptions in this summary are only highlights of the benefit plans. Details about plan provisions and administration are contained in the plan documents available at the time of hire.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Employees are hired either through a term contract or on a non-contract basis. For contract employees, the term of employment is for a defined period of time as outlined in the contract. For non-contract employees, the first six months of employment is an introductory period. During the introductory period employees may be terminated at any time with or without cause. Upon successful completion of the introductory period a non-contract employee earns continued employment status.
STAFF VACATION LEAVE
Vacation leave accrues on the 15th of each month. For 1-5 years of service employees accrue an equivalent of 15 days/year. Beginning with the 6th year employees accrue an equivalent of 20 days/year.
STAFF TEMPORARY DISABILITY (SICK) LEAVE
Paid temporary disability leave (sick leave) accrues on the 15th of each month at the rate of one day (7.5 hours) with no cap on accrual.
SICK LEAVE POOL & SICK LEAVE SHARING
Available to eligible employees, intended as a source of salary continuance for participants whose serious personal health conditions prevent them from working.
FAMILY / MEDICAL LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Eligible employees who have been employed for a minimum of 1 year and have worked at least 1250 hours in the previous 12 month period, may be entitled to job-protected family/medical leaves of absence for qualifying events as described under the act.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Various plan choices available in five levels of coverage. Monthly employer premium contributions vary by level of coverage. Coverage begins the first day of the second calendar month following employment. (Example: For employees hired anytime in January, coverage begins March 1st.)
DENTAL INSURANCE
Various plan choices available for purchase at competitive monthly rates. Employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.
$50 BENEFIT ALLOWANCE
Eligible employees electing single health coverage or waiving health coverage will receive a monthly $50 benefit allowance. This allowance can be used in any combination to pay for benefit premiums, or placed in a medical flex spending account.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
This reimbursement program allows employees to pay for qualified medical expenses and/or qualified childcare/dependent care expenses with tax-free earnings. Eligible employees who waive their health insurance can choose to have a portion of the employer contribution placed into their health care reimbursement account.
LIFE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE
Life and Accidental Death/Dismemberment Insurance in the amount of $20,000 is provided at no cost. Employees have the option to purchase additional coverage for themselves and/or coverage for their spouse and/or dependent children.
RETIREMENT PLANS
Participation in a KCTCS retirement plan is a condition of employment. Employees must enroll within the first 30 days of employment and are required to contribute a percentage of their salary each pay period. Currently two retirement plans are available, a Defined Contribution Plan 403(b) or a Defined Benefit Plan. With the Defined Contribution Plan the employee contributes 5%, the employer match is 10%, and vesting is immediate. Current 403(b) providers are TIAA-CREF, American Century, ING, and Fidelity. Under the Defined Benefit Plan, currently KERS has a 5% employee contribution with a 5.89% employer match*; KTRS has a 6.16% employee contribution with a 13.84% employer match* (*state statute establishes contribution rates). Vesting in the Defined Benefit Plan is after 5 years of service with that plan.
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
Supplemental retirement contribution choices are also available.
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
Long-term disability (LTD) is provided in conjunction with the retirement plan chosen. Eligibility is dependent upon the retirement plan type chosen. With the defined contribution retirement plan, employees are eligible after one year of service. With the defined benefit plan, after vesting requirements are met (currently after 5 years of service).
SUPPLEMENTAL LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
A supplemental income protection insurance to complement the employer provided LTD benefit is available. Employees may be eligible to purchase insurance for up to 100% of their pre-disability earnings for catastrophic illnesses. The level of income protection available is dependent upon the retirement plan selected.
SUPPLEMENTAL VENDORS
A variety of supplemental benefits are available, such as cancer, long-term care, life, heart attack, and more.
TUITION WAIVER
Tuition waivers for eligible employees are available for up to 18 credit hours per year (six hours in the fall, spring, and summer) at any KY postsecondary public institution. Tuition waivers are also available to your spouse and dependent children (age 23 or less, as defined by federal financial aid guidelines) for six credit hours per semester (fall, spring and summer) at any KCTCS institution.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Provides confidential and professional consultation or counseling to 24 hrs/day, 365 days/year to eligible employees and their dependents, at no cost to the employee.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Discounts and incentives offered to KCTCS employees are available by a variety of vendors. These include florists, athletic clubs, cellular phone providers, restaurants, hotels, etc. Discounted tickets to a variety of parks and zoos are also available for purchase.
WELLNESS PROGRAM
A comprehensive health promotion program focusing on all aspects of health, including physical fitness, nutrition, disease prevention and care is available.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Notice: KCTCS Sex Offender Notification Information

KCTCS does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies:

Lawrence Fortson, Director of Diversity Programs
300 N. Main Street, Versailles, KY 40383
(859) 256-3264
Further information and details can be found here.

KCTCS policies and procedures are here.

If there are any discrepancies between these highlights and policies or plan documents, the policies and plan documents take precedence. KCTCS reserves the right to terminate or amend these policies and plans at any time. To prospective employees: This employment overview is strictly for information purposes only. This is not an "intent to offer" and should not be construed as an indication that an offer will be made.