Special Incentives & Programs

Bilingual Compensation

We recognize the importance of having bilingual employees to communicate with Mesa residents in order to meet their needs.

Basic Level Certification - Basic level certification requires proficient communication skills which prove the employee has the ability to obtain and communicate basic information with residents (such as simple greetings, introductions, numbers, addresses, money, days and months, family members, interrogative words, name pronunciation, and general directions). Full-time employees certified at the basic level receive a $25 biweekly payment. Part-time/seasonal employees certified at the basic level receive a $12.50 biweekly payment.

Intermediate Level Certification - Intermediate level requires the basic level and the ability to communicate with a higher level of proficiency, which may include communication of technical language and instructions. Employees certified at the intermediate level should be able to read and write in the second language, or communicate at a more complex level. Full-time employees certified at the intermediate level receive a $50 biweekly payment. Part-time/seasonal employees certified at the intermediate level receive a $25 biweekly payment.

Bus Passes

We have a 100% subsidized bus pass program available to employees. Ride a bus to work and help reduce pollution, it's easy and it's a great way to meet new people. Check out Valley Metro's site for a bus route near you. 

Call-Out & Stand-By Pay

Stand-by pay is pay received by an employee required availability to provide emergency services during a specified period.

Call-out pay is pay received by an employee for working during a time the employee is not normally scheduled to work in response to an emergency. Employees who are called out to work after their regular shift ends will receive a call-out premium of one and one-half (1-1/2) times the hourly rate for each hour of overtime worked.

Overtime

All classified non-exempt employees, unless otherwise identified, shall be eligible to receive overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours during any work week, or two hundred four (204) hours in a twenty-seven (27) day work period fire personnel working a twenty-four (24)-hour shift.

For purposes of calculating overtime for fire personnel working a twenty-four (24)-hour shift, the following paid time off categories will be considered time worked: vacation, sick, discretionary time (i.e., personal time), voting, jury duty/witness, bereavement, military leave, administrative leave, and donated leave. The following paid time off category will not be considered time worked: compensatory time and observance of a holiday. 

Fire personnel working a twenty-four (24)-hour shift are eligible to receive overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of two hundred four (204) hours during the twenty-seven (27) day work period.

Overtime pay is one and one-half (1-1/2) times the hourly rate for each hour of overtime worked.  

Shift Differential

Shift differential is paid to eligible employees on a night shift. A night shift is a shift of eight (8) or more hours which starts after 2:00 p.m. Eligible employees will receive shift differential for all work performed from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Part-time employees (benefited or non-benefited) in eligible classifications will receive shift differential if working an eight (8) hour shift for all work performed from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Compensatory Time

There are occasions when employees are required to work beyond a normal, scheduled workday. To provide quality service and control costs, we provide a compensatory time program for overtime worked by non-exempt full-time employees.

Compensatory time for non-exempt employees is accrued at the same rate as overtime. Full-Time employees may accumulate a maximum of 100 hours compensatory time (66.6 hours of overtime worked, 100 hours of compensatory time). Part-Time employees may accumulate a maximum of 50 hours compensatory time (33.3 hours of overtime worked, 50 hours of compensatory time).

Mileage Reimbursement

Mileage may be reimbursed when employees use a personal vehicle for work business at the rate allowed by the federal government.

Uniform Allowance

Specifically identified positions participate in a uniform allowance or uniform provision program. Sworn employees (Police and Fire) have an allowance for their uniform purchases; we will provide uniforms to employees in non-sworn position classifications when it is required that the employee wear a uniform on the job.

Credit Union

Arizona Federal Credit Union membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school within Maricopa County.  They offer savings accounts, loan, no-fee checking account with a Visa check card or for a Visa credit card, direct deposit, and numerous other services. 

Free Parking

All employee parking is free.

Donated Leave Program

This program allows for the donation of accrued vacation leave to employees who, due to a serious illness or injury to self or immediate family, have used all their accrued sick and vacation leave and are placed in a position of extreme financial hardship.

When the employee returns to work, whether full-time or part-time, they are not eligible to receive additional donations for that illness. Donations received after the employee's return to work will be credited back to the donating employee's vacation accrual.

Community Spirit Program

The Community Spirit Program was created to offer employees more choices and to better coordinate our charitable efforts. Community Spirit combines the Mesa United Way Fund Drive and our volunteer efforts, such as the blood and food drives and adopt-a-school activities, all under one umbrella. By giving employees more choices in which to donate their money, and provide volunteer opportunities, the Community Spirit Program hopes to encourage more employees to participate in making their community a better place to live.

Flexible Work Environments

(With Supervisor's Approval)

Flexible Hours
Many departments offer a flexible work schedule.

Job Sharing
Certain positions are eligible to job share. These positions work part-time and share the job responsibilities and benefits. 

Promotional Opportunities

Promotional examinations are open to all employees who meet the minimum qualifications.

Training Courses

We support the training and development process of all employees and encourages management and employees to embrace and pursue job related training opportunities whenever possible. Through the continuous learning process, employees and supervisors develop skills that help enhance job performance and increase the overall effectiveness of operations.

Tuition Reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement costs are paid by each individual department. Employees must verify with their Department that tuition reimbursement funds are available prior to utilizing this benefit.

Eligibility

To qualify for tuition reimbursement, an eligible employee:

  • Must be on regular full-time or benefited part-time status prior to the first day of the course.
  • Full-time employees must have completed two years of continuous service and successfully completed initial regular employment probation prior to the first day of the course.
  • Benefited part-time employees must have completed two years of continuous service prior to the first day of the course.
  • Must be attending a regionally accredited college or university.

Employee Resource Groups

  • Mesa Hispanic Network (MHN)
    Employee resource group that provides professional development and networking opportunities for members and promotes collaborations with Mesa’s Hispanic /Latino community.

  • NextGen
     Empowering and engaging the next generation of Mesa employees.

  • The National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA)
     An employee organization dedicated to the advancement of minority public leadership in local and state governments. NFBPA has established a national reputation for designing and implementing quality leadership development initiatives of unparalleled success.

  • Women Leading Mesa
    Employee resource group that invests in the women within our organization by cultivating an environment that celebrates their contributions, champions professional and personal growth, and fosters a workplace where women can thrive. Women Leading Mesa provides a network of support to share experiences, enhance best practices and grow an internal community dedicated to the development of women leaders.

     

 

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