Northeast State Community College offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:

• Health, dental, vision, pharmacy, life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through the State Group Insurance Program
• Retirement savings programs that include your choice of two employer-paid plans as well as three deferred compensation savings plans
• Optional or voluntary benefits, including a flexible spending account, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• Time off benefits, including paid holidays, annual leave, and sick leave
• Educational assistance programs
• And much more!

Please review this page for more information on our benefits programs. View information on our holiday schedules, leave policies, and sick bank programs here.

State Insurance Benefits

The State Insurance Plan includes health, pharmacy, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as an Employee Assistance Program, Wellness Incentive Program, long- and short-term disability benefits, and more! The TN Partners for Health website is a great resource to explore these benefits fully, find contact information for providers, and view guides and videos for reviewing your options and signing up for benefits.

Edison is the State site for reviewing and changing your personal benefits information. Unless you have a special qualifying event, benefits changes can be made during Annual Enrollment, which is usually the first two weeks of October. Watch out for HR communications during that time for more information.

TN Partners for Health Edison

Retirement Benefits

The State of Tennessee offers two retirement programs, TCRS and ORP (for exempt employees only), as well as deferred compensation plans, 401(k) and 457. You can read more about these plans, get login links for your online retirement accounts, and request retirement readiness education through the Retire Ready TN site. 

Education Benefits

Tuition Benefits

The Fee Waiver program will cover the tuition cost of one course each semester for up to 4 courses each academic year at any public higher education institution in Tennessee. This benefit is for all regular full-time employees. Part-time staff may use this benefit for courses taken at Northeast State.

The Spouse/Dependent Discount program will cover 50% of the undergraduate tuition cost each semester for a regular full-time employee’s spouse or dependent(s) attending a public higher education institution in Tennessee.

Forms for these programs must be completed after enrollment each semester; you can request them by emailing HROffice@NortheastState.edu or MGBrickey@NortheastState.edu. It will be routed via Dropbox Sign for digital signature. Once signed, you are responsible for sending it to the institution being attended and they will update your bill accordingly.

Salary Adjustments for Degree Attainment & CAP Exam

Northeast State supports employees continuing their education and provides salary increases for additional degree attainment while employed. Please review the continuing education policy for this benefit for more information.

There is also a salary adjustment policy for certain support staff who pass the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) Examination. Please review the CAP policy and contact the HR Office to confirm your eligibility prior to taking the exam.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Northeast State Community College is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Read more about the PSLF program on this page. If you have a PSLF form that needs to be certified by Human Resources, you can send that to any HR team member or to HROffice@NortheastState.edu.

TN Stars 529 College Savings Program 

Employee Discounts

State employee discounts are managed through Perkspot. This site includes many great discounts, including to Dollywood, other attractions, and major retailers. Register or login with your work email at this page on FormStack.com..

You can review TBR employee discounts here and Northeast State employee discounts below. For any in person discounts, you will need either an employee ID card or a State Employee card. If you do not have either, please reach out to Melissa Brickey (x3204).

Northeast State Employee Local Discounts

• AnyTime Fitness (Gray, TN), $0 enrollment fee. 10% off enrollment for students and faculty with Northeast State ID.
• Papa John's (Gray, TN), $8 pizza with 1 topping with Northeast State employee ID (same as student discount).
• Pizza Plus (Blountville, TN - Across from campus), Large pizza discount.
• Planet Fitness (Kingsport, TN), $1 down - no commitment. Exclusive pricing for all Northeast State students and employees.
• Shane Beer Hybrid Fitness (Gray, TN) - 15% off
• Taco Bell (Gray, TN), 10% discount with Northeast State employee ID.
• Wendy's (Kingsport, TN - Airport Exit), Free drink with any food purchase. Must show employee ID.
• Yong (Gray, TN), 10% off for employees at checkout with Northeast State ID.

Other Discounts:

• AVIS Car Rental: Save up to 25% OFF Base Rates at Avis. Click the title link or call 800-331-1212 and use discount code AWD#: D134100.
• BUDGET Car Rental: Save up to 25% OFF Base Rates at Budget. Click the title link or call 800-455-2848 and use discount code BCD#: Z408900.
• HERTZ Car Rental: Save up to 25% OFF Base Rates at Hertz. Click the title link or call 800-654-2210 and use discount code CDP#: 1742729.
• HOTELS.COM: Employees can save 8% OFF select hotels at Hotels.com.

Other Benefits

Longevity Pay

Upon completion of 36 months of service to the State, all regular full-time employees are eligible for longevity payments. In addition, all regular part-time employees who are scheduled to work 1600 or more hours in a fiscal year and have 36 months of service are also eligible for longevity payments. Eligible employees shall receive longevity pay at an established rate for each year of creditable service up to the maximum provided by law. The rate per year of service is currently $100 and is established annually by the Legislature. Read more about longevity pay guidelines.

Alternate Work Arrangements

At the College's and supervisor's discretion, flexible scheduling and remote work may be available to employees. Please review the College's work schedule policy and TBR's alternate work arrangements policy.

For more information, contact:

• Melissa Brickey, HR Benefits & Records Partner
• MGBrickey@NortheastState.edu
• 423-323-0204
• Office Location:  P308A

• Megan Jones, Director of Human Resources
• MAJones@NortheastState.edu
• 423-323-0226 or extension 3226
• Office Location: P311A