Civilian Faculty Benefits
Full-time, tenured and tenure-track civilian faculty at the Naval Academy are offered the standard benefits available to all federal government employees, as well as several additional benefits specific to working at USNA. Note that benefits for term/contract and adjunct civilian faculty may vary. The points of contact for benefits details and questions are the Vice Provost and the Associate Provost for Finance and Military Affairs, as well as the USNA Human Resources Division (HRD).
Highlights of Federal Benefits
Leave and Holiday Benefits
- Annual (vacation) leave: 13 to 26 days per year based on length of service
- Sick leave: 13 days per year
- Holidays: 11 paid holidays per year:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
- Washington's Birthday
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Health Insurance (see http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp)
Civilian faculty have a choice of more than 30 health plans including several fee-for-service and Health Maintenance Organizations. The Government contribution is typically 60 to 75% of the premium. These plans require no physical or waiting period. Benefits vary and may be tailored to family needs to include dental, routine physicals, home health care, etc. Employee contributions vary by plan, and examples can be seen at https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/premiums.
Life Insurance (see http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/rates/index.asp )
Civilian faculty have a choice of several amounts and types of life insurance coverage, including limited coverage for dependents. The plans do not require a physical or waiting period. The cost of basic life insurance is shared by the employee and the government.
Federal Employees Retirement System (see http://opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/RI90-1.pdf )
The retirement plan has three components: a basic annuity plan, a Thrift Savings Plan, and Social Security. Basic coverage provides retirement as early as age 55 (with 30 years service) or with as little as 5 years service (at age 62). Employees pay the full Social Security and Medicare tax in addition to a small contribution to the basic annuity component (a total of 8.45%). The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is an excellent tax-deferred savings plan allowing up to $17,500 contribution of salary from employees with a government matching contribution of up to 5%. Employees may elect to invest in one or all of the investment funds. The funds differ in the rate of return and amount of risk. The amount and type of investment can be changed during open seasons. Social security benefits are standard. A positive feature of this system is its portability - TSP accounts are transferable to IRAs and other retirement plans.
Transportation Incentive Program (TIP)
The Transportation Incentive Program (TIP) applies to Department of Navy (DON) employees to help reduce their daily contribution to traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as expand their commuting alternatives. DON members are eligible for reimbursement up to $280.00 per month (effective 1 Jan 2022) (parking fees are not included) in specific pre-approved commuter mass transit transportation costs not to exceed actual expenses. TIP is designed to pay for transit costs incurred by personnel in their local commute from residence to permanent duty station.
The USNA POC: Dr. Rebecca Shepherd / 410-293-1392 / shepherd@usna.edu.
Additional information is available from: https://tips.navy.mil/cas/TipsFaqs.jsp
Registration with a valid CAC is available at https://tips.navy.mil/cas/login?service=https%3A%2Ftips.navy.mil%2F
Highlights of Additional USNA Benefits
Relocation Expenses
In certain circumstances and pending funding availability, a one-time cash award to help cover relocation expenses may be available to new faculty.
Summer Research Support
USNA and the Office of Naval Research have been able to provide full summer research support to junior faculty for their first three summers at the academy, if external funding is not otherwise secured by the junior faculty.
Faculty Enhancement Center
The Faculty Enhancement Center consists of the Office of Teaching and Learning and the Office of Research and Scholarship, which provide a variety of services to support faculty members at every stage of their careers.
Library
The Nimitz Library offers comprehensive library services to all faculty and midshipmen.
Fitness Facilities and Services
Civilian faculty are authorized to use a variety of USNA and NABSD athletic facilities, equipment and services.
Naval Academy Club
Civilian faculty members are eligible to become a member of the Naval Academy Club.
Midshipmen Store
Civilian faculty are eligible to obtain a shopping card as authorized patrons of the Midshipmen Store.
Childcare, Child and Youth Programs
The Naval Support Activity Annapolis (NSA Annapolis) offers a variety of child and youth programs that are available to faculty and staff. Note that these programs are subject to DOD priority systems and some services have a wait list.
Employee Assistance Program
Federal Occupational Health (FOH) is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider for civilian employees of the United States Naval Academy. FOH provides assistance by Master level/Credentialed Counselors to help with stress, relationship difficulties, substance misuse, financial and legal issues.
Other Programs, Services and Benefits Available
There are many additional services and benefits available to faculty at USNA. The following links provide some additional information. Note that the information is not comprehensive.
- USNA HR Benefits Site
- Naval Academy Business Services Division (NABSD) - for Faculty and Staff
- Fleet and Family Readiness (FFR) Departments at NSA Annapolis (selected programs and services are available to civilians)
Additional Useful Links
- Department of the Navy Human Resources
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- USNA Civilian Faculty Salary Table: USNA HR Site
A note on Civilian Faculty Pay: Similar to many academic institutions, the majority of USNA full-time civilian faculty are in a paid status for 10 months of the year, typically beginning on or about mid-August through mid-June. During the summer intersessional (mid-June through mid-August), faculty members may obtain external (reimbursable) funding support to remain in a paid status for part or all of the intersessional period. There are also a limited amount of internally-funded grants for academic endeavors such a curriculum improvements or scholarly research work. These internal grants are awarded based on a competitive review process.