Human Resources

Buncombe County is committed to providing affordable quality health care coverage for our employees. With our PPO plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC (BCBSNC), you may receive care in-network and out-of-network. However, if you visit an out-of-network provider, you are responsible for more of the costs for services. Having a PPO plan gives you the security of knowing you can receive care no matter where you are.

Every full-time and part-time employee who works at least 1,000 hours per year becomes a member of the N.C. Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System. An employees' share of the cost is currently 6% of their compensation, and is automatically deducted from their paycheck. After five years of creditable service in the N.C. LGERS, employees are vested for purposes of retirement benefits in accordance with the eligibility requirements established by the State Department of the Treasurer, Retirement Systems Division.

Preventable illness makes up approximately 90% of all health care costs and more than that, preventable illness also accounts for eight of the nine leading categories of death. Our Wellness Point Program is designed to help you prevent illness and be more active and healthy. The program is for employees who are enrolled on our health insurance plan. Employees have the opportunity to participate twice a year and earn 16 hours of paid leave time per year.

• Co-pay waivers for skin cancer screenings at WNC Dermatological Associates
• Paid time allowed away from work for annual Mammograms and Prostate Specific Antigen Tests
• Free, unlimited Physical Therapy
• Incentivized Care Management for chronic conditions
• Employee Assistance Network

Buncombe County offers two different dental plans through Delta Dental of NC so you can choose the level of coverage you and your family need. Vision Hardware Insurance is offered through Superior Vision and helps pay for eye exams, glasses and contacts.

The Buncombe County Employee & Family Health Clinic offers quick access to health care for County employees and their family members who are enrolled in one of our health insurance plans. The Employee Health Clinic offers health services at a low cost with little to no waiting time, no cost for generic drugs, and does not require employees to use their leave time when seen at the Clinic.

The NC 401(k) Plan is a retirement savings plan available exclusively to North Carolina public employees who are actively contributing to one of the NC Retirement Systems. North Carolina state and local government employers offer this plan to help you reach your retirement savings goals. The plan allows employees to contribute by payroll deduction to an investment program which shall defer income taxes on both the employee’s investment and the income in the investment until a later date. Employees may select from a variety of investment plans. Buncombe County contributes an eight percent amount of the regular employee's salary to the plan. Additional employee participation is voluntary.

Employees may elect to enroll in Short Term Disability. Benefits are payable when you become disabled and unable to work due to an accident, sickness or pregnancy. Long Term Disability is available through the NC Local Retirement System for employees with five or more years of service.

Life insurance can be a safety net that catches a family when tragedy strikes. It can be the heart of a family’s financial security. No one likes thinking about it but if your family depends on you, then this is a subject you can’t avoid. Buncombe County currently provides, at no cost to employees, basic life insurance plus accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. Also, employees may elect to enroll in supplemental life insurance coverage, spouse life insurance, accident, critical illness and whole life insurance.

Through payroll deduction, employees may defer a portion of their salary on a regular basis through the 457 Plan. The program provides a tax shelter and investment opportunity. Taxes on the deferred amount and earnings are deferred until they are withdrawn, usually at retirement or when one leaves employment with the county. Deferred amounts may be invested in one fund or in a combination of funds to maximize the investment return.

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 13 Paid Holidays per year
• Paid Family Leave
• Eblen Employee Assistance Fund
• Sick and Leave Accrual
• Annual PTO
• County discounts at local businesses