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COLUMBIA COUNTY
Columbia County Human Resources and Payroll
401 State Street
Hudson, NY 12534
Phone: 518-828-4086
Fax: 518-828-1991
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Columbia County Offers
Hep B Vaccine (4.2025)
Dear Valued Employee,
As defined in the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be transmitted through the exposure to blood and other potentially infectious material. If you are in a position that could be occupationally exposed to HBV, getting the HBV vaccination series may help you in gaining immunity to HBV if you are exposed.
What does this mean for me?
The County is offering the vaccine series for any interested employees. Every employee must make the decision if they choose to get the HBV vaccination, as it is not mandatory for any employee to get it. Every employee must complete the Hepatitis B Vaccine Acceptance/Declination Form designating if they would like to receive the vaccine, or not, and send it to the Human Resources/Payroll Department.
How can I learn more about the HBV vaccine?
Attached is the Vaccine Information Statement from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention for the Hepatitis B Vaccine. In addition, you can visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov, or consult with your doctor.
I want to be vaccinated against HBV, what do I do?
Fill out the Hepatitis B Vaccine Acceptance/Declination Form and check I ACCEPT the Hepatitis B Vaccine Inoculation, and send it to the Human Resources/Payroll Department. Next, contact your doctor or healthcare provider to set up an appointment to schedule the series of the vaccination, and to determine which vaccine is right for you. Although there are not traditionally co-pays for the HBV vaccination series, if you are billed for a co-pay by your doctor, you can be reimbursed by the County. To obtain a reimbursement for your co-pay, send a copy of your co-pay receipt along with a completed HIPAA Information Release Form for Healthcare Expense Reimbursement to the Human Resources/Payroll Department.
What if I don't want to receive the vaccine?
No problem! It is not mandatory for any employee to receive the vaccine. All you have to do is fill out the Hepatitis B Vaccine Acceptance/Declination Form and check that I DECLINE the Hepatitis B Vaccine inoculation, and send it to the Human Resources/Payroll Department.
What if I decide later that I want to get the vaccine against HBV?
Again, no problem! Just contact the Human Resources/Payroll Department for a new Hepatitis B Vaccine Acceptance/Declination Form and check I ACCEPT the Hepatitis B Vaccine Inoculation, and send it to the Human Resources/Payroll Department. Next, contact your physician or healthcare provider to schedule the series of the vaccine.
What if I am already vaccinated against HBV?
Good for you! You do not need to prove to us that you are already vaccinated. Just check that I DECLINE the Hepatitis B Vaccine inoculation on the Hepatitis B Vaccine Acceptance/Declination Form, and send it to the Human Resources/Payroll Department.
Hepatitis B Vaccine:
What You Need to Know
CDC HEP B Vaccine Information Statement.pdfHEP B Vaccine Acceptance/Declination Form
HEP B EMPLOYEE FORM.pdfNYS ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF STATEWIDE WORKPLACE SEXUAL HARASSMENT HOTLINE
Earlier this year Governor Hochul signed into law that a toll-free confidential hotline will be created for complaints of workplace sexual harassment. In addition to reporting incidents to your Department Head and/or Human Resources employees may use the confidential hotline established by NYS. As of today, the toll-free confidential hotline is in operation and details are provided in the attachment.
We will revise the language in the County's Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Poilcy to be in accordance with the new laws, and all County employees will be trained on the udpates during our next training cycle of 2022.
Workplace Sexual Harassment Hotline Notification.pdfColumbia County Participates in the NYS HELP Program starting June 26, 2023
Columbia County Participates in the NYS HELP Program starting June 26, 2023
On June 26, 2023, Columbia County's resolution request to participate in the Hiring Emergency Limited Placement (HELP) Program was approved by NYS Civil Service. This 12 month program will allow departments to hire qualified candidates without taking a Civil Service exam in approved titles.
Titles must meet the following criteria:
Criteria 1: Titles are deemed to be critical, direct care, health and safety titles. Employees serving in these titles provide services or care directly to clients, consumers, patients, or the public.
Criteria 2: A severe shortage of candidates exists, evidenced by an inability to attract sufficient qualified candidates to fill vacancies despite extensive and exhaustive recruitment efforts.
Criteria 3: Titles are filled via open-competitive examination only.
The ultimate goal is to attract qualified candidates and speed up the hiring process for those approved titles.
Columbia County will be requesting to add additional titles to the HELP Program in the coming months as all requests must be made by December 31, 2023.
For a complete list of titles, go to https://www.columbiacountyny.com/cs-news--announcements.html
All questions should be directed to the Columbia County Civil Service office 518-828-6622
Do you know about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program?
To qualify for PSLF, you must:
be employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization (federal service includes U.S. military service);
work full-time for that agency or organization;
have Direct Loans (or consolidate other federal student loans into a Direct Loan);
repay your loans under an income-driven repayment plan*; and
To ensure you’re on the right track, you should submit a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) & Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification & Application (PSLF Form) annually or when you change employers. They will use the information you provide on the form to let you know if you are making qualifying PSLF payments. This will help you determine if you’re on the right track as early as possible.
*This provision will be waived through October 31, 2022 as part of the limited PSLF waiver. Learn more.
For complete information on this program and to apply, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service#qualifying-employment
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