To address the increasing needs for diversified services throughout the City, the educational incentive compensation program is provided to encourage employees to obtain education above the minimum level necessary for their job position. These payments shall be made following the collective bargaining agreement schedules or as determined by the Finance Department and payroll processes.
(a) Eligibility.
(1) The Fire Chief and any Assistant Fire Chief shall receive compensation equal to the education incentive rate in the current International Association of Firefighters Local 1361 bargaining agreement.
(2) The Police Chief shall receive compensation equal to the educational incentive rate in the current bargaining agreement for the FOP Lodge #25, Avon Lake Division.
(3) All full-time, non-bargaining employees who have completed a minimum of six months of full-time, continuous employment with the City and who complete additional education directly related to the job the employee is performing, as determined by the Mayor and the Human Resources Director.
(b) Exclusions.
(1) Education levels required for the employee’s position are not eligible for education incentive compensation.
(2) Employees who leave the City’s employment prior to completion of their new employee probationary period may be required to reimburse the City for any educational incentive compensation received under this program.
(c) Payment.
(1) Upon meeting the eligibility requirements, payment of the education incentive shall be made on an annual basis at the same time as similar payments are made pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement applicable to the department in which the employee is employed.
(2) Payment is determined based upon the highest degree earned above the minimum education level required for the employee’s position and may not be stacked with other degrees earned or earned for more than one degree per level of education attained.
(3) Except for the Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Police Chief, incentive payment shall be made at the following levels:
Associate’s Degree | $450.00 |
Bachelor’s Degree | $500.00 |
Master’s Degree | $750.00 |
Doctorate Degree | $1,000.00 |
(d) Documentation. To be eligible for the education incentive, employee must furnish to employee’s department head a certificate from an accredited educational institution evidencing that the employee has satisfactorily completed all requirements necessary to be granted a degree by said educational institution. Copies of said certificates shall be forwarded to the Finance Department and shall be filed with the employee’s permanent records.
(Ord. 22-108. Passed 7-11-22.)