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| GENERAL PUBLIC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||
| CURRENT EMPLOYEE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||
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| GENERAL PUBLIC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||
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1. How can I apply for a job with the City of Beaufort? Job openings are listed on our Employment Opportunities page. The City of Beaufort only accepts applications for advertised positions. To apply for an open position, submit an employment application and all other documents requested in the position announcement. |
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2. What types of benefits are offered to fulltime, regular employees at the City? The City of Beaufort offers a competitive benefits package. To view information about the benefits that are offered please visit our benefits page. |
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3. Why does the City drug test candidates for employment? Please view our substance abuse policy. |
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4. What types of physical testing are involved in police and fire pre-employment testing? FIRE DEPARTMENT: The candidates must be able to ascend and descend a 100' aerial ladder without stopping while wearing firefighter protective clothing and breathing apparatus. After a 2 minute cool-down period the candidate will then complete the Physical Ability Test (PAT) which is a successive task test replicating actual fire ground tasks. Time limit is seven minutes. Candidates will be wearing firefighter protective clothing. Prior to the above, an orientation period is given to the candidates to allow them to familiarize themselves with the parts of the PAT. If the above are successfully completed the candidate(s) are then allowed time to clean up and prepare for the oral interview. POLICE DEPARTMENT: At the current time there is no pre-employment physical test conducted by the Police Department. However, in the next few months the Police Department plans to implement a physical abilities test similar to one administered at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy during Basic Training. |
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Applicants that are contacted for an interview will be given a date and time to meet with the hiring board. If selected by the hiring board, the applicant must then complete a polygraph exam and psychological screening, as well as the city’s drug testing and a physical exam. This process can take anywhere from two-three weeks depending on the applicants schedule and geographic location. |
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The interview will consist of both a Physical Ability Test (PAT) and a hiring board. If you have been selected for an interview, you should plan to dress accordingly for each of the two parts of the interview process; you will be provided with an area to clean up and change clothing after the physical portion of the test. Those candidates that fail the Physical Ability Test are excused. The hiring board usually gives its recommendation to the Fire Chief the same day unless a consensus cannot be reached. Then expect a day or two. Once all are in agreement, the chief will contact the top candidate(s) for his interview. The process listed below is for those candidates that are selected for employment after interviewing with the Fire Chief and it usually takes approximately two weeks. A local background check is then done by the Police Department. Pre-employment urinalysis, a pre-employment physical and an exam conducted by a doctor of internal medicine are then required. The SLED background for firefighter registration (state law) takes two to four weeks. This may be done after the first day of work but continued employment is contingent upon favorable results. |
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If you are selected by your interviewer to be considered for the open position, you will need to pass a pre-employment urinalysis and a background check that may include criminal and driver record checks as well as a reference check and academic verification. Some positions may also require a typing test. The process from interview selection to new hire may take two weeks or more depending on individual circumstances. |
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8. What is the City's payroll schedule? View the City's payroll schedule online. |
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9. What are the
operating hours of the different City departments?
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10. Does the City offer any volunteer opportunities? Volunteer opportunities are available at the Beaufort Police Department performing clerical functions and also with the Voice Program (a program in which volunteers call elderly shut-ins). For more information please call Major Clancy at 322-7902. |
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If there is a vacancy on a board, commission or other City task force or group and you are interested in filling that vacancy, please contact the City Clerk at (843) 525-7045 to obtain an application. Once your application has been completed and returned to the City Clerk it will be submitted to the City Council during an Executive Session. |
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Full-time regular employees become eligible for Normal Retirement (without reduced annuity) at age 65; or after 28 years of service credit, five years of which must be earned service. Full-time, regular employees become eligible for Early Retirement (with reduced annuity) at age 60 with at least five years of earned service (your annuity is permanently reduced 5 percent for each year of age less than 65) or at age 55 or older with 25 years of service credit, five years of which must be earned service (your annuity is permanently reduced 4 percent for each year of service credit less than 28). Law enforcement officers and fire fighters are eligible to retire after 25 years of service credit, five years of which must be earned service; or at age 55 or older with at least five years of earned service. For more information please visit the South Carolina Retirement Systems website. |
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13. How can I learn more about the City and its employment policies? You can learn more about the City of Beaufort's employment policies by reading our Employee Handbook and our Employment Opportunities page. For general information about the City of Beaufort please visit the City of Beaufort home page. |
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| CURRENT EMPLOYEE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||
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Call Blue Cross/Blue Shield at 1-800-868-2520. You may also print and complete the Request for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Card and mail it to: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina PO Box 100605 Columbia, SC 29260 |
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Contact human resources at 843-525-6016 or via email and a new card will be forwarded to you. |
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3. I would like to set aside money in a 401(k) or 457 plan. How do I enroll in one or both plans? Eligible employees may enroll at any time. To enroll, you will need to fill out an enrollment form. For more information please visit the South Carolina Deferred Compensation website. |
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4. I need to add a dependant to my health and dental insurance. How and when can I do this? You can add a dependant to your health and/or dental insurance within 31 days of employment, during open enrollment or within 31 days of a qualifying event. Some examples of qualifying events are marriage, birth/adoption/placement, divorce/legal separation, etc. To add a dependant you must fill out a Notice of Election form and contact human resources for the best time to bring the new form into the office. |
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5. I need to remove a dependant from my health and dental insurance. How and when can I do this? You can remove a dependant from your health and/or dental insurance within 31 days of a qualifying event or during open enrollment. Some examples of qualifying events are marriage, birth/adoption/placement, divorce/legal separation, etc. To remove a dependant you must fill out a Notice of Election form and contact Human Resources for the best time to bring the new form into the office. |
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6. How do I change my federal and/or state tax withholding claims? If you would like to change your federal and/or state tax withholding claims you will need to fill out a new W-4 form and forward it to Human Resources. For more information about tax withholding you may visit the Internal Revenue Service's Frequently Asked Questions regarding form W-4 and/or the IRS Withholding Calculator. |
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7. What are the standard deductions that the City must withhold from my paycheck? Medicare (OASDI) Social Security (FICA) Federal Withholding Tax (FWT) State Withholding Tax (SWT) |
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8. When does my vacation leave accrual appear on my paycheck after I am hired? The pay period following your six (6) month employment date. The accrual is split over two pay dates. |
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9. As a regular, full-time employee, how often am I evaluated? Performance evaluations may be conducted at any time as deemed necessary by the employee's chain-of-command. As a probationary employee, you may be evaluated at three and five month intervals. Annual evaluations are conducted for all regular, full-time employees during the month of February for the twelve (12) previous months. |
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In order to change your address you will need to fill out a Personnel Action Request and a Universal Name Address Change Form indicating that you are changing your address. Once you have completed these forms you should forward them to the Human Resources office for processing. |
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You may change your beneficiaries at any time.
Once you have completed the necessary form(s) please forward them to the Human Resources Office. |
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12. When is Open Enrollment and what types of changes are normally allowed? The Open Enrollment period is a time during which eligible employees, retirees, survivors and COBRA subscribers can make changes to their health, dental, optional life, and MoneyPlu$ benefits. During an open enrollment period, retirees can also change to and from the Medicare Supplemental program. Allowable changes include adding or dropping coverage as well as changing the amount or type of coverage. Open Enrollment is held every other October (in years ending with odd numbers). The next Open Enrollment will be October 1 - 31, 2005. Annual Enrollment occurs October 1-31 in years ending with even numbers and is a period during which eligible employees can change health plan carriers as well as enroll (or re-enroll) in MoneyPlu$ features. |
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13. I believe I am a victim of harassment in the workplace. Who can help me? If you feel that the City's Anti-Harassment Policy has been violated by anyone with whom you have come in contact on the job, regardless of whether it is by a fellow worker, a supervisor, or a member of the general public, you should report the incident(s). There are several ways that you can do this:
(a) By reporting to your supervisor or to a higher level in your “chain of command.” Complaints against the City Manager should be made to the Human Resources Manager. (b) Report to the Human Resources Manager (c) Completing a Harassment Incident Report.
Supervisors and managers who receive complaints of or become aware of harassment should notify Human Resources.
CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW THE CITY OF BEAUFORT'S ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY.
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14. I have been injured as a result of a work related activity. What do I need to do? If you are injured as a result of a work-related activity you should: 1. Report the injury, no matter how slight, to your supervisor. 2. Have your supervisor complete the appropriate Workmen's Compensation Form and the First Report of Injury Form. Unsafe conditions should be reported promptly to the supervisor. |
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Employees using prescription drugs, according to a physician’s instructions, or using over-the-counter drugs for medicinal purposes, MUST, in the event such drugs could impair their physical, mental, emotional, or other abilities or faculties, notify their supervisor immediately upon entering the work area. Failure to do so may be considered a violation of this policy and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. If you are prescribed medication due to a work-related incident, you will need to notify your immediate supervisor and have him/her complete the following form: Prescription Authorization Form for WC Covered Medication. In addition, prior to taking the authorization form and prescription to the pharmacy, please review the list of participating pharmacies: Participating Pharmacies for WC Covered Medication. Please have your supervisor forward a copy of the prescription authorization form to Human Resources. |
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16. Does the City offer a Tuition Reimbursement program? Yes, the City of Beaufort offers a Tuition Reimbursement program. Please see the Tuition Reimbursement section of the Employee Handbook. |
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Yes. The City of Beaufort's Dual-Employment Policy is as follows: A No full-time employee in the City service shall accept outside employment, whether part-time, temporary or permanent, without prior written approval from the respective Department Head and City Manager. The request and approval must be in writing and included in the employee’s personnel folder. Each change in dual employment shall require separate approval. Approval shall not be granted when, in the City’s sole opinion, such dual employment conflicts or interferes with, is likely to conflict or interfere with, or gives the appearance of a conflict with the employee’s service to the City. B Employees shall not engage in any private business or activity while on duty. You may request approval for outside employment by completing the Request for Approval for Outside Employment form and submitting it to your department head. |
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18. Where can I obtain a copy of the City's personnel policies/employee handbook? You may obtain a copy of the Employee Handbook by visiting the Human Resources office or you can view the Employee Handbook in Adobe Acrobat Reader by clicking here. |
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Yes. The LASIK services you can receive at discounted prices include: Vision exam, pre-operative care, corrective surgery and post-operative care for one year. You can receive all of these services for $895 per eye in South Carolina (prices are subject to change and vary by state). In addition to LASIK services, you may also purchase contact lenses at discounted rates. For more information visit the South Carolina Blues information page for Lasik Surgery or call Tru-Vision at 1-877-571-2020 to find a convenient location and schedule an appointment. MoneyPlu$ Medical Spending Account participants may use funds from their Medical Spending Account to pay for LASIK services. |
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20. When am I eligible for a longevity increase? What about a merit award? Read an excerpt from the Employee Handbook concerning longevity increases. Read an excerpt from the Employee Handbook concerning merit awards. |
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Visit the City's Benefits page. |
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Visit the City's Benefits page. |
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Yes, current employees may apply for both internal and external posted job openings. Current employees must submit the same application materials as external applicants, including an application and any additional documentation requested. |
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You may change your address by completing the Universal Name Address Change Form, and the Personnel Action Request and submitting them to Human Resources. Deferred Compensation participants will also need to complete the 401(k) Change of Address Form and/or the 457 Change of Address Form. You may change your name by completing the Universal Name Address Change Form, the Personnel Action Request and the South Carolina Retirement System Enrollment Form. You must submit these forms to Human Resources along with a copy of your marriage certificate. Marriage is a qualifying event and as such, employees may make certain changes to their coverage levels within 31 days of the date of marriage. You may change coverage levels and add beneficiaries by completing the Notice of Election Form, SC Retirement System Beneficiary Form, and the Deferred Compensation Enrollment Form. Once completed and signed, these forms should be submitted to Human Resources for processing. |
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25.
What is a Health Savings Account? A Health Savings Account is a tax-sheltered investment account used to pay qualified medical expenses. Health Savings Accounts are portable, allow you to carry money forward from year to year, and offer tax-free distributions if used for qualified medical expenses. Contributions can only be made to a Health Savings Account when the employee is participating in a High Deductible Health Plan (for example: the SHP Savings Plan), is not covered by any other plan, and is not enrolled in Medicare. |
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26.
What are qualified medical expenses? The Internal Revenue Service sets the guidelines for qualified medical expenses. For information regarding what expenses are considered to be eligible medical and dental costs please visit the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p553.pdf. |