Status Update for Jan. 22, 2025: Due to inclement weather in the Northern Black Hills, SURF and the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, will transition to essential personnel at noon today (Jan. 22, 2025). Weather conditions will continue to be monitored and an update will be posted prior to day shaft on Jan. 23, 2025.
The Sanford Underground Research Facility offers an excellent benefits package.
2024 Employee Benefits Summary.
This page provides an overview of the benefits SDSTA offers full-time benefits eligible employees effective 4/1/2024 - 3/31/2025.
Careers at SDSTA
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week)
Eligible the 1st of the month following date of employment.
SDSTA pays 100% of the cost for EE coverage/95% for EE+ coverage.
EE Contribution:
EE only:$ 00.00/pp*
EE+spouse:$ 45.00/pp
EE+child(ren): $ 40.00/pp
EE+family: $ 70.00/pp
*pay period
Deductible: $2,000/$4,000
Max Out-of-pocket: $4,000/$8,000
Co-insurance: 20%
Co-payments:
$30 Primary Doctor
$30 Telehealth
$300 Emergency Room
Pharmacy:
Tier 1 - $10
Tier 2 - $30
Tier 3 - $50
Generic Specialty - $50 co-pay
Preferred Specialty - $100 co-pay
Non-Preferred Specialty – 50% co-pay
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week)
Eligible the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.
SDSTA pays 100% of the cost for EE coverage.
EE Contribution:
EE only:$ 00.00/pp*
EE+spouse:$ 22.38/pp
EE+child(ren):$ 21.80/pp
EE+family:$ 31.67/pp
*pay period
Deductible: $25/person
100% paid on check-ups and routine teeth cleaning
80% on minor services
50% on major services
$1,500 per person per year
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week)
Eligible the 1st of the month following date of employment.
SDSTA pays 100% of the cost for EE coverage.
ER Contribution:
EE only: $ 0.00/pp*
EE+child(ren): $ 3.62/pp
EE+spouse:$ 3.43/pp
EE+family: $ 9.32/pp
*pay period
Eye Exam: $10 co-pay/12 mos.
Prescription Glasses: $25 co-pay/12 mos.
Contacts: $150/12 mos. (in lieu of glasses)
Frames: Included in Prescription Glass co-pay
Standard Lenses: included in Prescription Glass co-pay
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week)
Eligible the 1st of the month following date of employment.
You contribute through pre-tax payroll deductions
Health Care and Dependent Care Accounts are available. Elect payroll deductions up to $3050/yr. for health care and $5,000/yr. for dependent day care. It is a tax-effective way to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week)
Eligible the 1st of the month following date of employment.
SDSTA pays 100% of cost for Employee
Basic Life and AD&D coverage amount is $50,000
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week)
Eligible the 1st of the month following date of employment.
SDSTA pays 100% of cost for Employee
Weekly Benefit:
60 Percent of weekly earnings
Maximum Weekly Benefit:
$1,500
Benefit Waiting Period:
14 days
Maximum Benefit Period:
90 days\
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week) Eligible the 1st of the month following date of employment.
SDSTA pays 100% of cost for Employee
Monthly Benefit:
60 Percent of monthly earnings
Maximum Monthly Benefit:
$9,000
Benefit Waiting Period
90 Days
Maximum Benefit Period:
Age dependent
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week)
Eligible 1st of the month following date of employment.
SDSTA pays 100% of cost for Employee
Free counseling service when life presents complex challenges like legal, financial, medical and benefit-related concerns
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week) Eligible the 1st of the month following date of employment.
Employee pays 100% of the cost through payroll deductions
Supplemental benefits:
Additional Life Insurance & AD&D for Employee
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week) Eligible 1st of the month following date of employment.
You pay 100% of the cost through payroll deductions.
Accident
Cancer
Hospital
Critical Illness
Eligibility
Cost
Benefit Highlight
Full-Time (30 hrs./week + 6 mos./yr.)
Required entry date to participate is immediately upon hire date
Your pre-tax contribution is 6% of your salary and SDSTA’s contribution/match is 6% of your salary.
Lifetime retirement benefit
You become vested and entitled to retirement benefits after 3 years of contributory service.
Other Important Benefits – Full-Time & Part-Time Benefit Eligible Employees
Full-Time (30 hrs./week)
Eligible immediately and accrued on a per-pay period basis (26 pay periods per year)
Part-Time (20-29 hrs./week) accrues half-benefit
0-3 years: 120 hours of paid vacation/yr.; 4-7 years: 160 hours of paid vacation/yr.; 8+ years: 200 hours of paid vacation/yr.
Full-Time (30 hrs./week)
Eligible immediately and accrued on a per-pay period basis (26 pay periods per year)
Part-time (20-29 hrs./week) accrues half-benefit
112 hours of sick leave/year accrued at a rate of 4.32 hours per pay period.
Eligible on hire date
Employees may use sick leave for Bereavement Leave
Eligible on hire date
SDSTA pays 100% of up to 8 hours for each of the 11 observed holidays
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
President’s Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Native American Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Eligible after 12 months employment
SDSTA will provide up to eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave for either parent.