Benefits

Northern Arizona University’s benefit programs support the physical, emotional, and financial health of our employees. Our employee programs, such as employee tuition reduction, and healthcare plans make NAU a reliable employer for professionals looking to elevate their career in Flagstaff.

What we offer

Employee benefits

NAU employees can enroll in three types of benefits:

Voluntary benefits: Employees have the option to enroll in healthcare, flexible spending accounts, supplemental life insurance, and short-term disability. They can also enroll eligible dependents into select programs.

Primary retirement: Employees must enroll in one of three retirement plans based on whether they are classified as staff, faculty or appointed staff, or public safety employees.

Supplemental retirement: In addition to primary retirement, employees can enroll in supplemental retirement plans. These plans are available to all employees.

Each year during Open Enrollment, employees have the opportunity to change and update benefit plan elections as needed, or if you have a Qualified Life Event such as marriage or the birth of a child.

Medical Plans

You can choose from four medical plans that all include:

• Nationwide network
• Prescription coverage
• Preventive care at no cost
• In & out-of-network coverage

Dental Plans

Our dental plans feature different out-of-pocket expenses, employee premiums, and networks, giving employees options depending on their needs.

State of AZ PPO: This preferred provider organization includes in & out-of-network coverage, and lower costs when you see providers in the network. This plan has a higher premium, but a large network of providers to choose from.

State of AZ DHMO: This dental health maintenance organization plan is for in-network coverage, with plan holders being responsible for out-of-network services. This plan has a low premium, but a limited network of providers to choose from in the northern Arizona region.

Vision Plan

Northern Arizona University offers one plan for vision coverage:

Avesis Advantage Plan: This plan includes in & out-of-network coverage, and a low cost with in-network providers. It also provides yearly coverage for routine eye exams, glasses, or contact lenses.

Wellness programs

NAU offers numerous wellness programs through the Employee Assistance and Wellness office for our employees. From workshops to health screenings, fitness classes and support groups, we are here to support the well-being of our employees.

Tax Savings Accounts

NAU offers employees two types of tax savings accounts. The Flexible Spending Accounts or Healthcare Savings Account can help you save on taxes for healthcare and day care expenses. Learn how to save on your taxes with:

• Healthcare Savings Accounts
• Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee discounts

• Tuition reduction: NAU offers tuition reduction at the three state universities for employees and eligible family members. We strive to make higher education more affordable and accessible to our employees and their families.
• Computer purchase program: NAU employees and students can take advantage of a number of different programs for personal (non-institutional) purchases of personal computers at educational discount prices through University Bookstore, Dell, or Apple stores.
• Wall Aquatic Center Membership: Employees can sign up for a discounted membership to the Wall Aquatic Center on campus.
• Payroll deduction parking permits: Employees can order permits and parking plans to park vehicles on campus.
• Free bike rentals: NAU provides students, faculty, and staff, with an environmentally and socially sustainable transportation option. The Yellow Bike Program reduces NAU’s carbon footprint, reducing traffic congestion on campus and carbon emissions.
• ecoPASS for the Mountain Line City Bus System: The ecoPASS for public transportation throughout Flagstaff is provided to all NAU employees.
• Employee dining plans: Employees can enjoy any dining options on Flagstaff campus by loading dining dollars on NAU ID card via payroll deductions.
• NAU Campus Store discount: The campus store offers a 10% discount on most items* when you present your NAU ID. The Lumberjack Tech Center located inside the NAU campus store sells Apple MacBook’s and iMacs at academic pricing, along with Dell, Asus and Lenovo products.
• *Please note that computer hardware, software, gift cards and graduation regalia items are not subject to discount.
• NAU Recreation Center membership: Employees may sign up for memberships at the Health and Learning Center on campus.

Paid Time Off

NAU provides paid time off in the form of holidays, vacation, sick time, bereavement, compassionate transfer of leave and community engagement time.

Holidays

The University recognizes specific holidays during the year and provides paid time off for employees at these designated times. Review the current holiday and campus closure schedule.

Vacation

Classified Staff, Appointed Staff and Post-Doctoral Scholars earn vacation on their hours worked (including holiday pay, paid compensatory time, approved vacation, and sick pay). The amount of vacation you accrue is based on your position type, years of service and hours worked. Vacation does not accrue when you are in unpaid status or use leave without pay.

Sick time

Regular employees earn paid sick time on their hours worked (including holiday pay, paid compensatory time, approved vacation, and sick pay). 

• If you work 40 hours a week, you accrue 3.68 per hours per pay period.
• If you work less than 40 hours a week, you accrue a prorated amount of sick time based on 0.045977 hour for each hour worked.

Bereavement

Eligible employees may request up to three consecutive paid working days for the death of a covered family member. Two additional paid working days may be granted for out-of-state funeral arrangements or services.

Leave of Absence

NAU’s leave of absence policies provide approved time off for employee illness or to care for family members. Eligible employees receive up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

True Blue Fridays

During the summer months, NAU offers True Blue Fridays to all employees, giving our employees greater flexibility to travel and enjoy the Flagstaff community by working four ten-hour shifts each week. Operating hours are Monday-Thursday, with Friday closures.

Ready to apply?

Have questions about employee benefits?

Still have questions? Contact the Benefits Team at nauhrbenefits@nau.edu or call (928) 523-2223.