A retention assembly for a charging station for a vehicle is provided. The assembly has a ground latch bracket to receive a cover latch bracket extending from a cover of a charging pad. The assembly also has a locking mechanism with a ground locking bracket to mount to the ground surface, a support bracket to connect to the cover, and a sliding bracket. The sliding bracket translates relative to the support bracket to lock and unlock the locking mechanism with inclined flanges of the ground locking bracket mating with inclined flanges of the support bracket and sliding bracket when the locking mechanism is in a locked position. A charging assembly having a retention assembly, and a method of positioning the charging station is also provided.