Kannapolis offers a competitive compensation structure with many benefit programs. Read more below for information regarding employment benefits.
Full-time and regular part-time employees may be eligible for performance pay increases annually. Funding for performance-based pay is available as approved by City Council.
Pending City Council approval, the minimum and maximum salaries of the pay ranges may be based on market or other conditions. When approved and funded by City Council, market adjustments to the range will be considered annually and rounded down to the nearest one-half percent of the economic indicator used. The market rate adjustment shall be applied to regular employees along with their annual performance increase and is based upon performance.
Kannapolis accepts sick leave transfers from other NC government employers that participate in any of the pension systems managed by the NC State Treasurer’s Office. To transfer leave, the governmental entity must be employee’s most recent place of employment immediately preceding their employment with the City of Kannapolis.
Full-time employees accrue sick leave bi-weekly at the rate of 3.70 hours (4.90 hours for fire suppression personnel) on the last day of the pay period. Upon retirement accrued sick leave is credited to years of service for the purpose of the Local Government Employee Retirement Systems (LGERS).
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave based on the employee’s full-time years of creditable service from any of NC government employers that participate in any of the pension systems managed by the NC State Treasurer’s Office. Full-time new hires may also transfer up to 80 hours of unused accumulated vacation leave if they were previously employed by a NC local governmental entity immediately preceding employment with the City.
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Years of Creditable Service
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Hours Earned Each Pay Period
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Less than 5
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4.32 hours (5.52 hours – Fire Suppression)
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5 but less than 10
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5.24 hours (6.74 hours – Fire Suppression)
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10 but less than 15
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6.16 hours (7.96 hours – Fire Suppression)
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15 but less than 20
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7.09 hours (9.18 hours – Fire Suppression)
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Over 20
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8.00 hours (10.42 hours – Fire Suppression)
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12 paid holidays to full-time and regular part-time employees (pro-rated based upon work schedule). General employees receive 8 hours, sworn law enforcement receive 8.4 hours and fire protection receive 10.6 hours per holiday.
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City Observed Holidays
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January
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New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr Day
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March/April
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Good Friday
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May
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Memorial Day
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July
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Independence Day
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September
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Labor Day
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November
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Veterans Day, Thanksgiving (2 Days)
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December
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Christmas (3 days)
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The City deducts premiums for voluntary benefits, such as dependent medical and dental insurance, employee contribution to flexible spending accounts, and other qualifying voluntary insurance products, on a pre-taxed basis thereby reducing the employee’s income tax liability.
The City offers medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts to cover the employee and his/her family members. This plan allows employees to set aside money on a PRE-TAXED basis for any anticipated medical and childcare costs that the employee expects to incur during the year.
Additionally, the City contributes up to $2,200 toward the full-time employee's out of pocket medical expenses. The employer contribution can be deposited to a medical spending or reimbursement account or can be used to offset premiums for medical insurance coverage. The initial amount is pro-rated based on the date of hire for new employees and is offered annually thereafter with funding approval by City Council.
As a Let’s Move! City, the City encourages employees to participate in the Wellness Program. Through the Wellness Program, participants can receive their individual health insurance free of charge, gain free access to an onsite health and wellness clinic staffed by a physician assistant, free access to a dietician/nutritionist, onsite exercise programs, lunch ‘n learn educational opportunities.
Medical Insurance is effective the date of hire and is offered to all full-time employees. Part-time employees are not eligible. New hires are eligible for High Deductible Health Care Plan (HDHP) managed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. We offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with an employer contribution to help offset the cost of the deductible. Employees who participate and are compliant with the wellness program receive employee only coverage for free. Dependent coverage is available for an additional charge.
Dependent Costs
Vision Insurance is effective the date of hire. Our vision plan is offered by EyeMed is offered to all full-time employees. Part-time employees are not eligible. Employee only coverage for free. Dependent coverage is available for an additional charge.
Dependent Costs
Dental Insurance is effective the date of hire. Two dental plans through Sun Life – Basic Plan and Enhanced Plan to all full-time employees. Part-time employees are not eligible. Employee only coverage for free under the basic plan. Employees can upgrade to the Enhanced Plan and add dependents for an additional fee. Sun Life also offers Preventive Rewards which allows employees to get additional dollars added to their benefits based on their paid claims for preventive services.
Dependent Costs and Enhanced Plan Costs
Tips for Using Your Dental Plan
We offer an employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA). The amount each year is dependent upon City Council approval. Current contribution is $2,200 (prorated based on date of hire) for FY 25.
Supplemental benefits available for full-time employees to purchase: Cancer Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Individual Short-Term Disability Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Confinement Indemnity Insurance, Term Life Insurance, and Whole Life Insurance.
All full-time employees receive a term life/accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy. The benefit amount is equal to your base annual salary (twice the annual salary for accidental death). The benefit provided is at no charge to the employee and becomes effective on the date of hire. Employees may purchase additional coverage for themselves, their spouse, and/or dependent children.
Supplemental life insurance coverage is also available through Colonial Life Insurance at the employee’s expense. Dependent and/or supplemental coverage is paid through payroll deduction.
Short-term disability through Sun Life. All full-time employees receive short-term disability for free. Part-time employees are not eligible. The benefit pays 60% of your total weekly earnings, up to $500 each week. The benefit begins as soon as 8 days from the date you are unable to work due to an injury or illness outside of work. The plan pays up to 25 weeks, if you are unable to work due to a covered disability.
Employees can access free unlimited personal nutrition counseling services to employees and spouses covered under the City’s medical plan. My Diabetes Dietician manages provides the following services, Healthy Meal Planning, Diabetes Prevention and Education, Proper Weight Loss &/or Gain, Blood Pressure Control, Gluten Free Diets, Food Allergies, Blood Sugar Control and Cholesterol Control. Appointments are available in person once a month or virtually.
Employees can utilize the Employee Health Clinic that is managed and staffed by Synergy HealthCare. Employees and Spouses who are covered under the City’s medical plan and complete a Health Risk Assessment can utilize the clinic. A licensed, certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) staffs the clinic and can treat minor medical conditions, write prescriptions for anything except narcotics, lab work, basic physical exams, monitor ongoing medical concerns, provide referrals and personal education and advice. Employees have one (1) hour per month of paid time to attend an appointment at the clinic during the employee’s regular working hours.
Flores & Associates manages Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Employee are offered the following types of accounts:
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Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (FSA-DC) – Employees can deduct on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 for dependent care payments
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Medical Reimbursement Account Limited Purpose (FSA-Vision/Dental Only) – Employees can deduct on a pre-tax basis up to $2,500 for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket vision and dental expenses.
Full-time active employees working 30 or more hours per week are eligible to purchase long term disability coverage through Sun Life. This voluntary long term disability plan pays up to 60% of your gross monthly income up to a maximum of $5,000 per month. Benefits begin after 180 days of disability. Benefits are payable for up to 2 years, up to your Social Security retirement age or longer, depending on your age at disability. Benefits are paid on a tax-free basis.
Full time employees and employees who work 1000 hours or more per year are members of the North Carolina Local Governmental Retirement System. Employer and employee required contributions are mandated by state legislature. Employees are vested with five years of creditable service.
For details about the plans, check your balance, or update your beneficiaries, click here.
LGERS is a defined benefit plan. Eligible employees are required to contribute 6% of their wages to the LGERS. LGERS is managed by the NC State Treasurer’s office.
Employees participating in LGERS receive the Death Benefit after 12 months of service at no cost to the employee. The death benefit is equal to the employee’s salary up to a maximum of $50,000.
Kannapolis participates in the NC 401(k) Plan managed by Empower. All full-time employees receive a 2% automatic employer contribution. We offer an employer match of up to 3%, totaling 5%. All full-time employees who voluntarily contribute to the 401(k) plan are eligible to receive an additional employer contribution match up to a maximum of 3%. Sworn Police Officers receive the statutory 5% employer contribution and are also eligible for the 2% automatic contribution and 3% employer match, totaling 10%.
Employees hired after July 1, 2021, and who retire with at least 10 years of service with the City of Kannapolis are eligible to continue on the City’s medical and dental plan at retirement until age 65 with an employer paid contribution to the insurance premium based on the following schedule. An employee is eligible for this benefit provided that at the time of retirement the employee has completed the requisite years of service with the City of Kannapolis.
20 or more years of service: 75% of total premium
15 but less than 20 years of service: 50% of total premium
10 but less than 15 years of service: 25% of total premium
Less than 10 years of service: 0% of total premium
Full-time employees have an opportunity to participate in the North Carolina State Employee’s 401k plan. Provided by Empower, administered by the NC Department of State Treasurer and sponsored by the State of North Carolina, the NC 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan, which means you may contribute a certain amount to the Plan. Plus, you get to choose how you want to invest your money based on your unique retirement goals and how many years you have until you retire. This is a state mandated benefit for sworn law enforcement officers. You also have the option to use GoalMaker, a free program that easily helps you select the investments that meet your needs.
Sworn police personnel receive an employer-paid 401k contribution equivalent to 5% of compensation; however, sworn police personnel do not participate in the Social Security program.
All full-time employees receive a 2% automatic employer contribution.
Up to 3% Employer Match: All full-time employees who voluntarily contribute to the 401k plan are eligible to receive an employer contribution match up to a maximum of 3%. Sworn Police Officers receiving the statutory 5% employer contribution are also eligible for the employer contribution match.
For details about this plan, access your personal account, enroll and make changes, click here.
Full-time and part-time employees also have an option to participate in the NC 457 Deferred Compensation plan offered through Empower. A 457 Deferred Compensation plan is a program that allows you to defer compensation on a pre or post-tax basis through payroll deduction. The pre-tax advantage allows you to defer federal and (in most cases) state income taxes until your assets are withdrawn.
For details about this plan, access your personal account, enroll and make changes, click here
Paid Caregiver Leave is available to any full-time employee that qualifies as a primary caregiver of an immediate family member (spouse, child, parent) under the “Family Member’s Serious Health Condition” certification definition. A qualifying employee is eligible to paid caregiver leave once within any rolling twenty-four-month period.
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General Full Time Employees
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240 hours will be paid
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Sworn Police/Telecommunicators
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252 hours will be paid
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Fire Suppression
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318 hours will be paid
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Full-time employees that have completed five or more years of continuous service by July 1 of the year of payment are eligible for longevity pay. Part-time employees are not eligible. Longevity pay is distributed by the pay date for the pay period that precedes the Thanksgiving holiday. Employees who retire from service in good standing after July 1st and before the November distribution will be eligible to receive their longevity pay upon the effective date of retirement.
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LENGTH Of SERVICE
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$800 INCREMENTS
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5<10 years of service
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$1,100
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10<15 years of service
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$1,900
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15<20 years of service
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$2,700
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20<25 years of service
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$3,500
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25<30 years of service
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$4,300
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30+ years of service
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$5,100
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Employees and their family members are eligible to join the North Carolina Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) at any State Employees Credit Union branch. The Credit Union offers a variety of very competitive services and programs.
The City requires direct deposit and is able to accommodate multiple bank account deposits.
Tuition reimbursement assistance and education incentive pay are just two opportunities available to full time employees who have completed their probationary period. General employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement for coursework provided the course will better equip the employee to perform job-related duties. Sworn and fire personnel are eligible for incentive pay as they complete degreed programs in criminal justice or fire protection service fields of study.
Full-time and part-time employees are eligible for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all employees through MyGroup McLaughlin Young. Employees and their family members are eligible to receive six free counseling sessions per issue, unlimited number of issues per year. EAP can assist with individual, family or group counseling, referral services and online resources. It is free and confidential.
All full-time, part-time employees and retirees are eligible for free YMCA Memberships. Spouses and children can be added for reduced rates. The membership can be used at any Cabarrus, Rowan County or any YMCA that participates in the nationwide program.
Employees have access to fitness facilities located in City Hall/Police Headquarters and each Fire Station. Police and Fire have their own dedicated facilities within their own department and stations. All other employees can utilize the fitness facility in City Hall. The fitness facilities are for employee use only at your own risk. The facilities are not for use by family members.
Full-time employees who have a member of their immediate family taken by death shall receive up to forty (40) hours (42 for 12-hour personnel and 53 hours for fire suppression personnel) off with pay as bereavement leave to arrange and/or attend funeral services.
Eligible full-time employees are encouraged to pursue volunteer opportunities in Cabarrus and Rowan County as a means of giving back to the local community. At the start of each calendar year, qualifying full-time employees receive up to 8 hours for general employees, 8.4 hours for twelve-hour employees and 10.6 hours for fire suppression employees of City paid time off for qualifying volunteer activities during the employee’s regular scheduled work week.
There are a variety incentive pay opportunities for employees. Classifications that may be eligible for certification incentive pay include sworn positions in both the Fire and Police Departments, construction maintenance classifications in the Water Resources Department and Water Treatment Plant job classifications.
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Incentive Type
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Who is Eligible
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Bi-Lingual
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All Full-time Employees
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$100 per pay/$2600 per year
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Shift Differential
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Police, Fire, Water Resources, Water Treatment Plant job classifications
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Ranges from $0.75 per hour to $2.00 per hour
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Education Incentive Pay
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Fire and Police
Associates’, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees
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AA = $576 per year
BA = $1152 per year MA = $1728 per year
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FTO (Field Training Officer)
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Police
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5% of base annual pay
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Investigator
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Police
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5% of base annual pay
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Lateral Advancement
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Police – Police Officer II, Master Police Officer, Telecommunicator II, Master Telecommunicator
Fire – Senior Fire Fighter, Senior Engineer, Senior Captain
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2.5%- 5% of base annual pay
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Job Specific Certifications
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Police, Fire, Water Resources and Water Treatment Plan job classifications
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Fire - $240 - $600
Water & Sewer Utilities - $250 - $2000
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All full-time employees are eligible for 8 hours (regular employees), 8.4 hours (12-hour employees) and 10.6 hours (fire suppression personnel) of paid time off ("birthday leave") during their birth month.
All full-time employees who meet the minimum age and service requirements established by General Statute are eligible for Special Separation Allowance upon retirement. Special Separation Allowance is paid to eligible employees until the last day of the month in which the employee becomes 62 years of age. Under City Policy, there are no work restrictions for retirees who receive the Special Separation Allowance, except that the retiree cannot be re-employed with the City of Kannapolis in any capacity while receiving Special Separation Allowance.
The City offers a variety of incentive pay opportunities for employees. These include bi-lingual pay, shift premium, education incentive pay, FTO pay, and certification pay for approved job classifications. Classifications that may be eligible for certification incentive pay include sworn positions in both the Fire and Police Departments, construction maintenance classifications in the Water Resources Department and Water Treatment Plant job classifications.
The City of Kannapolis is committed to helping its employees achieve their wellness goals and maintain healthy lives. All employees have free access to onsite fitness facilities. In addition, employees who are covered by the City’s health insurance program are eligible for paid individual YMCA membership with discounted family membership fees. Employees have free access to an onsite health clinic and free access to an onsite Nutritionist and Diabetes Dietitian. Employees are not required to use personal paid leave to attend appointments with the onsite Nurse Practitioner or Nutritionist/Dietitian.
Employees are eligible for limited suite tickets to attend Kannapolis Cannon Ballers games and other events at the beautiful Atrium Health Ballpark in the heart of downtown Kannapolis.