The Brazos River Authority makes it a priority to invest in our employee’s
health, development, and well-being by providing a generous and comprehensive
benefits package.
Medical Benefits
The Brazos River Authority provides group health insurance options for full-time employees effective on the first day of the month following the
successful completion of a 60-day waiting period. Coverage for dependents is also available and may be purchased through the BRA's flexible
benefits plan with pre-tax payroll deductions.
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Flexible Benefits Plan
The BRA offers full-time employees the opportunity to participate in a flexible benefits plan. Through the Flexible Benefits Plan, subject
to applicable statutes, rules and regulations, employees may pay medical, dental and applicable supplemental insurance premiums with
pre-tax payroll deductions. Employees may also contribute funds to a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) and/or a Dependent Care
Flexible Spending Arrangement.
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Health Savings Account/Health Reimbursement Account
Employees who elect to participate in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) may be eligible to have a Health Savings Account (HSA).
An HSA may be funded by the employee and/or the employer and can be used to pay for your medical expenses such as the deductible,
medical office visits and prescriptions. Employees, who elect to participate in the HDHP and are not eligible to have an HSA,
will have a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for the purpose of receiving employer contributions. An HRA may only be
funded by the employer.
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Dental Benefits
The BRA provides dental insurance for full-time employees, effective on the first day of the month following the successful completion
of a 60-day waiting period. Coverage for dependents is also available and may be purchased through the BRA's flexible benefits plan
with pre-tax payroll deductions.
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Wellness Benefits
The BRA encourages all employees to participate in health-promoting activities, including annual on-site health and
wellness fairs, flu shots and screenings. The BRA will also reimburse employees up to $20 per month for health club
membership dues or weight loss program dues.
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The BRA offers a confidential employee assistance program to all employees. The EAP provides valuable services at no
cost to the employees and their families in the form of short-term counseling and legal and financial consultations.
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Life Insurance
The BRA provides group term life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage for full-time employees, at no
cost to the employee, effective on the first day of the month following the successful completion of the 60-day waiting
period. Life insurance is provided at a rate of one time the annual salary with an option for employees to purchase
additional coverage.
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Long-Term Disability
The BRA provides long-term disability insurance for full-time employees effective on the first day of the month following
the successful completion of the 60-day waiting period at no cost to the employee. This insurance provides partial income
replacement if the employee becomes disabled. There is a 90-day elimination period before benefits are paid.
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TCDRS Retirement Plan
The BRA participates in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS). Employees are enrolled in the plan on the
first day of employment and contribute 6 percent of their gross pay into their TCDRS account each pay period. Each TCDRS
account is guaranteed a return of 7 percent interest, which is credited each December 31, based on your account balance
at the beginning of that year. If vested, the BRA will match the employee's account by 2 to 1 at the time of retirement.
Service Credit toward vesting is available for employees who have prior service with any of the following retirement plans:
- Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS),
- Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS),
- Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS),
- Judicial Retirement System of Texas (JRS),
- City of Austin Employees Retirement System (COAERS), or
- Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS).
Military service performed at any time before joining the BRA is eligible toward retirement eligibility.
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457 Plan
Full-time employees may participate in the BRA's 457 deferred compensation plan beginning on their first day of employment.
Similar to a 401K Plan, the 457 Plan provides a vehicle for saving additional money for retirement. The BRA will match 50
percent of the employee's 457 deferral, up to 6 percent (3 percent of the employee’s compensation is the maximum employer
contribution). The employer contribution is deposited into a 401(a) account and is subject to a five-year vesting period.
Employees may elect where to invest their 457 contributions and once fully vested, they may also control where the employer
match is invested.
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Social Security
The federal government currently provides a modest income to retirees through the Social Security program. FICA tax is
deducted from employees' paychecks each pay period and the FICA amount is matched by the BRA. You may receive information
regarding your retirement benefit from a Social Security office.
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Holidays
Full-time employees are eligible for 11 paid holidays each fiscal year.
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Personal Time Off (PTO)
PTO is provided for the purpose of rest, relaxation, illness, and/or to attend to personal business. A total of 20
paid PTO days are available following an initial introductory period.
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Funeral Leave
Funeral leave is available to employees that experience a death in their immediate family.
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Civil Leave (Jury Duty, Subpoenaed Witness, Voting)
Employees are granted paid civil leave for jury duty, for serving as a subpoenaed witness in an official proceeding,
and for voting.
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Community Outreach and Team Building Initiatives
The BRA promotes a positive work environment by providing various team building, educational, and community outreach
activities throughout the year. Some of the events include: Departmental off-site team building activities, annual
Fall Festival to raise funds for the United Way (with an emphasis on fun), health fairs, annual Safety and Service
Awards, Lucky Dog Fridays (every Friday the 13th), participation in the YES Expo, new fund-year ice cream socials,
annual Food for Families challenges, Angel Tree gift drives, hosting various local high school student job shadowing
and career day events, assisting Chambers of Commerce with various local activities, participating and/or hosting
boating and water safety classes and environmental awareness programs, and numerous other community events.
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Career and Professional Development
The Career and Professional Development Program provides financial assistance to employees who make the commitment
to continue their formal education. Full-time employees are eligible after attaining one-year of service. The BRA
also encourages job-related training via online courses, seminars, and position-specific licensing training
opportunities.
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Automobiles
The BRA maintains a small fleet of automobiles for employee use on company business, as well as
reimbursement for use of a personal auto on a mileage basis.
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Family and Medical Leave
Following one year of service, employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave as part
of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
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Military Family Exigency Leave
The purpose of exigency leave is to allow an employee who has a spouse, son or daughter, or parent
in the National Guard or Reserves to take FMLA leave due to a qualifying exigency resulting from the
covered family member's active military duty (or call to active duty status) in support of a contingency operation.
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Military Leave
Military leave for members of any reserve unit is available through the BRA.
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