# Presentation: 024284

## Employees

- Welcome

- STEPS

- L/As

- TEMPs

- SCEPs

- TERMs

- _[http://www.studentjobs.gov/](http://www.studentjobs.gov/)_

- Post Docs

**Career &**
**Career Conditional**
**Appointments**

**http://media.newjobs.com/opm/www/usajobs/pdf/ei-38.pdf**

## Student Opportunities, Internships & Scholarships 

- _[http://www.usda.gov/da/employ/intern.htm](http://www.usda.gov/da/employ/intern.htm)_

**Student Opportunities, Internships & Scholarships**** **

- http://www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.asp

## Employment Opportunities 

- Employment Opportunities

- _[http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers](http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers)_

**ARS Careers**

- _[http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/index.htm](http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/index.htm)_

**Human Resources Department**

## Complete and return the following two forms to your supervisor before your first day:
		OF-306 Declaration of Federal Employment

		SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions 

Bring your Direct Deposit information, Driver's License, Social Security Card to your orientation.

**	****	****OF-306 Declaration of Federal Employment**
**	****	****SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions **
***Bring your Direct Deposit information, Driver's License, Social Security Card to your orientation.***

**http://opm.gov/Forms/html/of.asp**

**http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF85.pdf**

- to complete
- the forms below

## Where to Report for Your 

**Entrance on Duty (EOD)**

**USDA ARS**
**OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI LOCATION**

## USDA ARS

**USDA ARS**
**NATIONAL SEDIMENTATION LABORATORY**
**ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE RM-108A**
**598 McElroy DRIVE**
**OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI**

##  ORIENTATION DAY

** ****ORIENTATION ****DAY**

**L/A appointments are exempt from completing the SF-85 and the SF-87**

## The OF-306

**The OF-306**
**'Declaration for Federal Employment' **
**form is to be **
**Completed & Returned **
**To your Supervisor**
**Before Your Orientation Process**

- _[http://opm.gov/Forms/html/of.asp](http://opm.gov/Forms/html/of.asp)_

**Complete before & return this form **
**before your first day..**

**Notes:**
After completing this page, collect SF-85’s!

## L/As

- Statement of Understanding
- for
- 'STEP' and 'Limited Appointments'

- STEPS

## TEMPs

- SCEPs

- Conditions of temporary appointments
- agreement for sceps
- 'temp' and 'scep' Appointments'

## "I Swear"

- _[http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF61.pdf](http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF61.pdf)_

## U.S. Department of Justice

- Employment Eligibility
- Verification Form

- _[http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/forms/other/I9.pdf](http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/forms/other/I9.pdf)_

## Employment Eligibility Verification Form

- We will need to see your valid driver's license
- and your social security card to
- complete the I-9 Form.

## List previous Federal

- Employers, if you have
- not already informed
- the personnel staff

- _[http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF144.pdf](http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF144.pdf)_

## W4 - Form

- W4 - Form

**http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/forms/other/fw4.pdf**

**5**

**5**

## Mississippi

**Mississippi**
**State Withholding form**

## remember 

- remember
- to bring your
- banking account number and
- routing number or
- bring a blank check
- to complete the
- direct deposit form

- _[http://www.esgr.org/contents/forms/](http://www.esgr.org/contents/forms/DirectDepositForm.pdf)_
- _[DirectDepositForm.pdf](http://www.esgr.org/contents/forms/DirectDepositForm.pdf)_

## Use Permanent Address

- W2 form will be mailed to this address at the end of the year

**Employee Address Form**

- _[http://www.ocio.usda.gov/forms/download/AD0349-F-12-93.pdf](http://www.ocio.usda.gov/forms/download/AD0349-F-12-93.pdf)_

## the

- Race & Origin ID
- form

- _[http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/sf181.pdf](http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/sf181.pdf)_

## the 

- the
- Self-ID of Handicap
- form

- _[http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/sf256.pdf](http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/sf256.pdf)_

## Designation of Beneficiary

**Designation of Beneficiary**

- Unpaid Compensation of
- Deceased Civilian Employee

- Relates solely to last check if employee was a current Civilian Employee;
- It will not affect Retirement or Group Life Insurance beneficiaries.

## Fingerprint Chart

**L/As Exempt**

**Notes:**
Dots next to information that needs to be completed.

The actual charts for employees will also be highlighted.

## Location

- issued Building
- Entrance Key

- Authorization
- to Drive a
**GOV**

- Parking Permits
- for
- personal vehicles

- In Case of an Emergency
- Information

**Location**
**Employee**
**Information**
**form**

- receives New email account

**Complete form**
**with supervisor**
**& return to **
**Administrative Office**

## Travel Credit Card Application

**For the new Employee**

**Travel Credit Card Application**
**ask for application from the Administrative Officer**
**Government Purchase Card**
**ask for application from the Purchasing Agent**

## The Last Form

**The Last Form**

**This is a long form. The SF-85 must be completed with no lapses in time for the last 5 years of your life.  If you scratch out or use white out, initial each time.  If you have no street address, write, "No Street Address."**
**Complete and Return on Orientation Day.**

- Background Check for
- Non-Sensitive Positions

- SF-85

- L/As Exempt

- _[http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF85.pdf](http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF85.pdf)_

## Your Earnings 

**Your Earnings **
**and**
**Leave Statement**

- is mailed
- to you
- or you can

- Sign up for your
*Employee Personal Page*
- and view your personal
- information online:

**http://www.nfc.usda.gov/**

**Notes:**
Check for Accuracy 
	- SS# 
	- Name and Address

Misc. info on top including Pay Period, Grade Level, Salary

Earnings, top left

Deductions, below earnings
Mandatory> Retirement (.80% of gross salary), FICA (Social Security 7.65% of gross salary which  includes Medicare), Fed. Withholding Tax, State Withholding Tax – Listed on attached paper
Optional>(i.e. TSP, Life Ins, Health Ins, Savings Bonds, Charity, Allotments) (Student & L/A Appts. Not eligible......however, students eligible for health insurance after one year at full cost)

PP and YTD earning and deductions

Total Deposited

Leave Status – always check; verify with timekeeper

## Mandatory Training

**Mandatory Training**

**http://www.npa/ars.usda.gov/CR%20EEO%20Diversity/OnlineTraining/index.htm**
**http://www.ianr.unl.edu/arslincoln/quiz**

**	****Ethics** - for Agency employees and financial disclosure filers
- 	**Civil Rights** - includes Equal Employment Opportunity, Workplace Diversity, Hatch Act, 	Sexual Harassment, Americans With Disabilities Act
- 	**Safety** - Field, laboratory, environmental management system Safety Orientation Training 	course is provided annually.   New employees must attend.
**	****Workplace Violence **
**	****Building ****&**** Internet Security**
**	****Using Government Owned Vehicles ****GOVs**

## Darrell Williamson, Area Safety Officer

**	****-  To have a workplace free of hazards that may cause death, ****	****serious physical harm damage to the environment**
**	****-  Includes information on procedures when injured at work**

**Darrell Williamson, Area Safety Officer**
**Paul Seay, Location Safety Officer**

**A Safety Orientation Training course is provided annually.  New employees must attend.**
**Your supervisor provides job specific safety instructions**

**Safety**

**Notes:**
Permanent employees – refer to gold section, immediately following pink section

## Tell your supervisor

**Fill out the OWCP forms with your supervisor**

**Tell your supervisor**

**Contains            Worker’s Compensation Information**

**“****I need a little help, please!"**

## Ethics

**Ethics**

- You must read and sign the back of your
- Ethics Handbook and Give copy to supervisor

**Notes:**
For your reference (one or the other will be in folder)

Mostly for scientists and those in procurement.  

Covers acceptance of gifts, conflicting financial interests, misuse of position, etc.

Dr. Roos, Area Ethics Officer

## Mid South Area

**Network Usage **
**Policy**

- TO:    	ALL MID SOUTH AREA EMPLOYEES
- SUBJECT:   	MSA Network Usage Policy
- FROM: 	Hilda Roberts, Mid South Area
- 	Information Technology Specialist
- Please take time to read:  ARS Policy & Procedure 253.4 (attached).
**Why certain services are not permitted on the ARS provided network?**
- Streaming video or audio not related to work is not permitted because it uses large amounts of bandwidth.
- Installing unauthorized software is not permitted because of the security risks.
- Instant messaging and accessing chat rooms are not permitted because it is a serious security risk.
- Use of e‐mail systems other that the MSA provided GroupWise e‐mail systems is not permitted for security reasons.  This includes ALL other e‐mail systems like Yahoo mail, Hotmail, Netscape mail, and other browser based systems.
- Any peer to peer file sharing software like Kazza, Morpheus, Limewire, etc. is strictly prohibited as its use is to illegally distribute copyrighted materials and such use may result in the Department turning the case over to the U.S. Attorneys office Government laptops should not be used on non-government networks (like home broadband, hotels and wireless hot spots) and subsequently connected back onto the Government network because of the risk of becoming infected and spreading the infection inside the global Government network.  This scenario is currently one of our weakest links in protecting our systems.  MSA has a dial up service with a toll free number which is adequate for most business needs.  Please contact our office if you have a special need.
- E‐Mail and Internet is to be used in accordance with ARS policy 253.4.  Do not use it for entering contests, obtaining free goods, or for anything which could be construed as personal gain.  Read and understand privacy policies before putting your e‐mail address in the hands of potential spammers.  Inordinate amounts of non business e‐mail may result in having your Internet e‐mail address changed or restricted.
- Because of security reasons, the use of modems in computers attached to the network and wireless access points are not allowed.  These can be exploited by hackers to bypass our network perimeter defenses.  Again, if there is a business need for a wireless access point, we will continue to work with scientists to provide this access.
- It is our policy to contact the user’s supervisor when ARS Internet policy is abused.  All policies are monitored and actions for non compliance may result in termination of network access (without prior warning if warranted).
- We are willing to discuss these policies and make reasonable accommodation if you have a business reason that requires use of any service(s) that is not authorized or permitted.
- Cc:  Mr. Dan Deprey, World Outlook Board, Weather Service
-         Mr. R. Dan Brook, Mississippi State University
-         Mr. Bliss Bailey, Auburn University
-         Mr.  Mike Myrick, Ole Miss Unviersity

- USDA, ARS Area Administrative Office
- 141 Experiment Station Road
- P.O. Box 225, Stoneville, Mississippi 38756

## Ethical Uses of 

**Government Equipment**

_**INTERNET**_

_**PHONE**_

_**COPIER/FAX**_

- Use on personal time only
- Check personal email in Agency approved email provider only  (no hotmail, yahoo accounts allowed.)
- Visiting informational website
- DO NOT visit questionable websites i.e. gambling, chat rooms, of sexual nature
- DO NOT download messenger programs

- Brief local calls
- NO long distance unless 800 number or on personal phone card

- Must be a few pages only, not a ream of paper
- Students are not allowed to use the copy machines for their homework.

**Don’t abuse the privilege**

**This privilege is provided at the discretion of your supervisor and if abused, you can lose it. **
**Personal use is limited & must not affect your official duties & does not reflect adversely on USDA or YOU! **

**Notes:**
This information is geared toward the personal use of government equipment.

You must read all of P&P to understand all rules.

Please refer to memo from Dr. Melinda McClanahan regarding the limited personal use of government equipment.  Basically reiterates P&P 253.4.

## Internet Security Training and Various other Agency Training

**Internet Security Training and Various other Agency Training**

- http://www.aglearn.usda.gov/

## http://www.usda-ethics.net/training/

**SUBJECT: Ethics Orientation**
**TO: All New Employees**
- Ethical conduct by Federal employees is critical in maintaining the American public’s trust in the integrity and fairness of its government. Recognizing this concern, the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), the agency created to administer the executive branch Ethics Program, issued the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch” (Standards), which sets out the ethical rules that govern Federal employees. Additionally, OGE issued regulations requiring that each new employee be given a minimum of one hour of official time within (90) days of appointment to review the Standards and other
- ethics guides. Whether you are a newly appointed Federal employee or you have received an orientation briefing by another department, we request that you accomplish this review. Upon completion, please fill out and return the attached certification notice to the REE Ethics Office.
- • **The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch **which includes the Principles of Ethical Conduct 2635.101 - 2635.107
- • **REE Ethics Desk Reference **which includes Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Agriculture, Criminal Statutes for Ethics Violations at 18 U.S.C., USDA Departmental Bulletin 735-1 - Employee Responsibilities and Conduct, USDA Ethics Rules at a Glance.
- • **Agency Ethics Contacts - Dr. Deborah Brennan, USDA, ARS, MSA, Office of the Director, Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center, 141 Experiment Station Road, (Five Story Bldg.), P.O. Box 225, Stoneville, MS 38776****Phone: 662-686-5266     FAX: 662-686-5459**
- • **Certification of Accomplished Ethics Orientation Briefing**
- The REE Ethics Office is your first point of contact for information concerning ethical conduct. You are welcome to contact us by phone, by e-mail, or by fax. In addition to the REE Ethics website,				, the USDA Office of Ethics has valuable information on their website including regulations specific to USDA employees as well as online ethics training modules. Our role is to answer any questions you may have so that you may practice and promote the highest standard of ethical conduct exemplifying the trust and confidence conferred upon you by the American public. Please complete your review of all Ethics Orientation Briefing materials within 10 days of receiving them. After completing your Orientation Briefing, please sign the Certification of Completion located on the back page of your Ethics Employee Handbook and return to the Administrative Office.
- On behalf of this office, I welcome you to USDA and to REE.
- Sue Mutchler
- REE Mission Area Ethics Advisor				REE Ethics Program

**Email:(**_[dbrennan@ars.usda.gov](mailto:dbrennan@ars.usda.gov)__)_

**http://www.usda-ethics.net/**

## ARS CIVIL RIGHTS Policy

- To provide equal opportunity in employment for all persons and to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliations, marital status, age or physical or mental handicap.
**Complaints should be reported immediately to your first line supervisor.**

**http://www.npa.ars.usda.gov/CR%20EEO%20Diversity/OnlineTraining/index.htm**

**Notes:**
Permanent employees – refer to yellow section immediately following mandatory training page.

Ann Veneman – firmly committed to ensuring USDA’s compliance with civil rights and equal employment opportunity for everyone.  We must comply and to do otherwise is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

Dr. Knipling – Fully committed to equal opportunity.  Managers and supervisors have both a moral and legal responsibility to provide aggressive leadership to make equal opportunity a reality.

Dr. Blackburn – NPA is fully committed to EEO.  We must enforce zero tolerance  of any form of discrimination or harassment to any employee.  Commitment to EEO & Civil Rights is a critical element in every employees’ performance standards.

EEO Counseling Program – If you feel you have been discriminated against in any way, this program is here to help.   First contact supervisor, then EEO counselors if necessary. Document all instances.   Poster in all work area.

FAQ and contacts included on following pages.

## Sexual Harassment

**http://www.npa.ars.usda.gov/CR%20EEO%20Diversity/**
**OnlineTraining/index.htm**

**Civil Rights**
**Sexual Harassment**
**Required Training**

**http://arslincoln.unl.edu/quiz/**

**or**

**Notes:**
This will be part of your mandatory training.
Brochure is a hardcopy reference for you to refer to
Explains the different types of sexual harassment and steps to take if you should experience any type of harassment
Basically, approach offender first
If not satisfied, notify supervisor and possibly EEO counselor

## Part of your required training

**Part of your required training**

**http://arslincoln.unl.edu/quiz/**

**Notes:**
Part of your mandatory training
Brochure a hard copy reference
Defines workplace violence and how to identify potential problems
Report to your supervisor any uneasy feelings about possible threats to the workplace or suspicious activity

## Issued by 

**Issued by **
**Property Management**

**For official use only**
**No unauthorized passengers**
**Must travel directly between points**
**Supervisor will provide further instructions if required to use gov’t vehicle**
**Training for completing Vehicle Log Book**

**http://arslincoln.unl.edu/quiz/**

**GOVs**

## LEAVE

**TOPICS**

**http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/payleave/index.htm**

## Leave Policies & Procedures 402.6

**ANNUAL LEAVE**
- R&R, Leisure travel, personal business
- Accrual based on years of service
- Maximum accumulation
- Advanced annual leave
- Upon  separation, balance of leave is paid to employee in lump sum

**SICK** **LEAVE**
- Illness, injury or pregnancy
- Dental or medical exam and/or treatment
- Care for sick family
- Accrual
- Advanced sick leave
**Sick Leave for Family Care, Bereavement and Adoption**
**Sick Leave under the Family Friendly Medical Leave Act**
**	****	****	**

- _[http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/](http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/)__[ ](http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/)_

- _[http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/402-06.htm](http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/402-06.htm)_

**Ask your supervisor how he/she prefers to have leave requested.**
**Ask Timekeeper how he/she prefers to have time recorded.  Electronic AD-331 T&A Spreadsheet:**

***continued***

**Notes:**
Permanent employees – first page in blue section

Accrual:  FT ( fewer than 3 yrs, 4 hours per PP; 3-15 years, 6 hours per PP; 15 or more, 8 hours per PP); PT – pro rated based on (fewer than 3 yrs, 20 hours worked to earn 1 hour; 3-15 yrs, 13 hours worked; 15 or more, 10 hours)
Maximum A/L Carryover: 240 hours per year
Advanced Annual Leave:  Upon supervisor approval, may be granted; to be used in emergency situations; not a right; can only advance what would be earned during remainder of leave year.
Sick Leave Accrual:  FT (4 hours for each full PP); PT (1 hour for each 20 hours in pay status)
NOTE:  Any sick leave of over 3 consecutive workdays must be supported by a medical certificate or other acceptable documentation
Advanced Sick Leave: Upon supervisor approval; max 30 days
Family Care (aka Family Friendly Leave Act or FFLA), etc: May use up to 40 hours of sick leave per year to  provide care for family members who require attention for physical or mental illness, injury, pregnancy and childbirth and medical, dental or optical exam or treatment; also used to make arrangements for or attend a funeral of family member; to make adoption arrangements and adoptions.
*NOTE: If balance of 80 hours of S/L is maintained, you are eligible for an additional 64 hours, for a total of 104 hours of Family Care.

## Leave P & P 402.6

**LWOP (Leave Without Pay)** – temporary, unpaid absence from work granted at the employees request.
**Family and Medical Leave** – FT employees, with one complete year of service are entitled to 12 administrative work weeks of LWOP during any 12-month period for birth, adoption or foster care, care for family member with serious health condition or serious health condition of employee _[http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp](http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp)_
**Home Leave, Military Leave, Funeral Leave, Court Leave, Leave Donor/Recipient Program** – refer to manual
**AWOL (Absence Without Leave)** – unpaid, unauthorized period of absence

- http://www.opm.gov/oca/

**Notes:**
LWOP – requested and approved in advance, except for emergencies; supervisors may grant up to 30 days for justifiable reasons

Leave Donor/Recipient Program – If you have a medical emergency and have exhausted your own leave, the leave transfer program allows other Federal employees to donate annual leave to you.  You must apply and be approved before receiving leave.

## Flexible Work SchedulePolicies & Procedures 402.1

- You & your supervisor work out the schedule that best fits your needs & needs of agency.
- Agency is Flexible when determining work schedules
**Flexible Time** – You choose times of arrival and departure; supervisor approved
- If you work 7 or more hours, required to take 30 minutes **Meal Time**

- _[http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/402-1.pdf](http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/402-1.pdf)_

**Notes:**
Permanent Employees – refer to tagged page

Core Hours:  That part of the schedule of hours during the workday, workweek or pay period that is with the tour of duty and during which employees must be present at work or on leave.  At the supervisor discretion.

Flexible Time:  Also allows for the availability to earn credit time
			-  Hours earned for extra hours worked, to be used at a later time
			-  You are willing to work extra hours
			-  Must be supervisor approved
			-  Ask supervisor how he/she prefers to have credit time requested
			-  24 hour limit:  You can only have a balance of 24 hours or less at end of 
			   pay period or you will lose the extra hours.

## HOLIDAYS

- If the holiday falls within the employees’ regular work schedule, the employee will have the day off with pay!

**Notes:**
Part time employees receive pay for the # of hours they are scheduled to work.

## A Closer Look

**STEP and L/A employees with an appointment over 90 days and with a regular scheduled tour of duty may earn and use annual and sick leave.  Credit hours may be earned only with supervisory approval.**
**SCEP and Post Docs employees also may earn and use annual and sick leave. Credit hours may be earned only with supervisory approval.**

**A Closer Look**
**at**
**STEP, L/A, SCEP, & Post Doc**
**LEAVE**

## Merit Promotion P&P 420.1

- Allows current permanent federal employees to compete for jobs at higher grade level
- Must be on the current job for at least 90 days before being accepted into the new appointment
- Current federal employees on permanent appointment, those with reinstatement rights, or eligible under special authority (30% disabled vets, severely disabled, etc.)

- Steppin' Up

**Notes:**
Benefit - Sometimes federal jobs are posted for recruitment of federal employees only, so you do not have to compete with candidates “off the street”

## Employee Recognition

**Employee Recognition**
**Guide**

**usda.gov/da/employ/recog.htm**

**Notes:**
Permanent employees will have handout/booklet.

Temporary employees – FYI 

## Employee Recognition

**Employee Recognition**

**Nonmonetary Awards**
**Given  for a specific outstanding accomplishment such as a superior contribution on a short-term assignment or project, an act of heroism, scientific achievement, major discovery or significant cost savings.**
**Include:  Time off, keepsakes, letters of appreciation and honorary awards.**

**Monetary Awards**
**Recognition given for a particular accomplishment such as those defined under nonmonetary recognition.  Dollar amounts are determined by the value of benefit and application of the contribution to the Department’s or agencies’ missions or goals**
**Includes:  Spot awards, Extra Effort Awards **

**Performance Awards**
**Monetary recognition for performing well, over the course of the rating cycle, such as **
**consistent high productivity or high quality work**
**Include:  Lump Sum Performance Bonuses & Quality Step Increases**

**Notes:**
Awards are not an entitlement, but are at supervisory discretion.

Spot Awards:  One-time, short-term contribution.  
                        May not exceed $500
                        Given “on-the-spot”; money deposited in short period of time
                        Employee given actual amount of award, but for tax purposes will grossed up following
                            payment to the employee

Extra Effort Award:  Significant one-time contribution
                                  Taxes are taken out of the award

QSI:  A step increase
         Must have a performance rating of “Outstanding”

## GHE HealthCare, Inc.

_**YOU DON’T HAVE TO HANDLE ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS ALONE!**_
**What is the EAP?**
- The Employee Assistance Program is a confidential resource, outside the work place for employees and their immediate family members to address personal issues that may affect work performance or family life.

**EAP pays for this service, whether it is used or not**
**First 6 visits are paid by Agency**
**Completely confidential**
**We only receive the numbers, not the names**

***GHE HealthCare, Inc.***
***Employee Assistance Program***

**Notes:**
Permanent Employees – in purple section, after names and numbers

The EAP poster should be located in all areas

The following 12 pages explain in detail the mission and goals of EAP as well as the many services it provides.  

It is there for you whenever you need it.

First 3 visits are paid for – PER PROBLEM/ISSUE and PER FAMILY MEMBER

## BENEFITS

- Federal Benefit packages will be provided to TERM, Post Doc, and Permanent employee appointments only.
- STEP employees are temporary (TEMP) appointments limited to one year or less, however, if extended at management discretion, the STEP employee may enroll in the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program at full cost to the employee and with no government contributions.
- There are no provisions for health or life insurance coverage for L/A appointment.

- _[http://opm.gov/Employment_and_Benefits/index.asp](http://opm.gov/Employment_and_Benefits/index.asp)_

## Health Insurance Option – 60 days to complete - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health  
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance - FEGLI New Employees have 30 days to complete http://www.opm.gov/fers_election/ri_90/f_toc.htm	 	
Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies WEAPA – Life Insurance -  http://www.waepa.org   
Thrift Savings Plan TSP  -  http://www.tsp.gov
Federal Employees Retirement System – FERS -  http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/library/fers.asp
Flexible Spending Accounts-http://opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp
Health Savings Accounts - http://opm.gov/hsa/

*Federal Employees Group Life Insurance - FEGLI New Employees have 30 days to complete**** ***_**[http://www.opm.gov/fers_election/ri_90/f_toc.htm](http://www.opm.gov/fers_election/ri_90/f_toc.htm)**_***	****** ******	***
*Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies* *WEAPA – Life Insurance**** -  ***_**[http://](http://www.waepa.org/)**__**[www.waepa.org](http://www.waepa.org/)**__[   ](http://www.waepa.org/)_
*Thrift Savings Plan TSP  -  *_[http://](http://www.tsp.gov/)__[www.tsp.gov](http://www.tsp.gov/)_
*Federal Employees Retirement System – FERS -  *_[http://](http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/library/fers.asp)__[www.opm.gov/retire/html/library/fers.asp](http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/library/fers.asp)_
*Flexible Spending Accounts-*_[http://](http://opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp)__[opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp](http://opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp)_
*Health Savings Accounts - *_[http://](http://opm.gov/hsa/)__[opm.gov/hsa](http://opm.gov/hsa/)__[/](http://opm.gov/hsa/)_

***Benefits Overview***

- _[http://](http://www.opm.gov/Employment_and_Benefits/)__[www.opm.gov/Employment_and_Benefits](http://www.opm.gov/Employment_and_Benefits/)__[/](http://www.opm.gov/Employment_and_Benefits/)_

## Federal Employees

**Federal Employees**
**Health Benefits Program**

**http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp**

## Important 

- Choice of plans to suit your needs
- Government pays 75%, Employee pays 25%
- Retirement – must have been enrolled in an FEHB plan for 5 consecutive years immediately before retirement
- Changes can be made in open season, mid-November through mid-December (except certain circumstances)
- Deductions for FEHB are taken before your salary is taxed         unless you elect not to have your FEHB premium               contributions deducted on a pre-tax basis during                      orientation or open season.

- Important
- HEALTH INSURANCE Facts

## Health Insurance Election Form 2809

**Health Insurance Election Form 2809**

**http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2809.pdf**

## Fee-for-Service

Choose your own provider
You or provider are reimbursed for covered services
Pamphlet enclosed to compare 2005 rates and coverage

**Choose your own provider**
**You or provider are reimbursed for covered services**
**Pamphlet enclosed to compare 2005 rates and coverage**

_**Prepaid Plans**_
**CMP/HMO’s that provide or arrange health care & designate provider**
**Pamphlet enclosed to view coverage and rates for 2005**

- _[http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp](http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp)_

- OPTIONS

## Federal

- Employees
- Retirement
- System

- _[http://](http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/library/fers.asp)__[www.opm.gov/retire/html/library/fers.asp](http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/library/fers.asp)_

## ‘Retirement’Federal Employees Retirement SystemFERS

***Basic Benefit - R-I 90-1 FERS Retirement Booklet ***
- _[http://](http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/library/fers.asp)__[www.opm.gov/retire/html/library/fers.asp](http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/library/fers.asp)_
***Thrift Savings Plan - ***_[http://www.tsp.gov](http://www.tsp.gov/)_
***Social Security - ***_[http://](http://www.ssa.gov/)__[www.ssa.gov](http://www.ssa.gov/)__[/](http://www.ssa.gov/)_

## Basic Benefit

_**Formula for calculating your benefit**_

- 1% of your high-3 year average pay
***Times***
- Years of creditable service

_**Example**_

- Highest 3-year pay:  51k, 52k, 53k
- Average:  52k
- Calculate: 52,000 x 20%(1%x20 yrs)
- Benefit: $10,400/year or $866/month

**.80% deducted each pay period towards your basic FERS annuity**

**Notes:**
Must be vested in at least five years of creditable civilian service.

## 'Life Cycle Plan'             Will Help You Manage and Diversify Your TSP Accounts             

**Provides Retirement Income**
**Contributions Are Voluntary, Therefore You Are In Control**
**Equivalent to 401(k) **
**Agency matches up to 5%**** **
***'Life Cycle Plan'             ******Will Help You Manage and Diversify**** ****Your TSP Accounts             ***
- TSP* *Website to
- Reference Your Benefits
- and to view forms:

- _[www.tsp.gov](http://www.tsp.gov/)_

## TSP Tax Benefits

**Taxes on contributions and attributable earnings are deferred until you withdraw your money.**
**You have 60 days from today to begin TSP contributions**
**Contribute up to 14% of salary**
**Agency will match up to 5% (dollar for dollar on first 3%, 50 cents to the dollar on next 2%, plus the automatic 1%)**
**Agency matching will begin the last month of the 2****nd****                     open season after you are hired (your contribution                         will begin immediately after receipt of election)**
**Ok to get a loan...must pay yourself back with interest                       . . . will reduce your retirement benefits**

**TSP Tax Benefits**

**Notes:**
If you do not sign up within 60 days, you must wait until open season
   - April 15 – June 30     AND     October 15 – December 31

You can contribute 14% of your salary or a specific dollar amount.  Yearly maximum is $13,000
(will increase annually in October until eventually (not sure which year) there will be no limit

You automatically receive an Agency Contribution of 1% whether or not you contribute your own money.
Beneficiaries are in order of precedence unless otherwise designated (TSP-3).  For more information, contact personnel.

You will probably be in a lower tax bracket when you withdraw your money.

You have a brochure that gives you an idea of how much will save at 5% contributions at different ages.

## G Fund:  U.S. Treasury Securities; no risk

**F Fund**:  Fixed Income Index Investment (bond market); minimal risk
**C Fund**:  Large Company Stock; risky
**S Fund**:  Small Capitalization Stock Index Investment (medium and small company stock fund); riskier than C fund
**I Fund**:  International Stock Index Fund;                   riskier than C & S funds

- Investment Options

**Notes:**
Detailed information on these funds can be found either in the TSP handbook, beginning on Page 18 or the TSP website.  The TSP website gives daily updated on how they are performing. 

100% of your funds will be in the G-Fund in the beginning.  When you receive your TSP pin number, you can reallocate those funds.

## How do I make changes?

_**To Change % of Contribution**_

- Use the TSP-1 form or
- Go to your NFC Personal Page
- and click on TSP home

_**To Change Allocation of Funds**_

- Use the TSP-50 form or go to

- The TSP-50 Form will be mailed to:
*TSP Service Office*
*National Finance Center*
*P.O. Box 60012*
*New Orleans, LA  *
*70160-0012*

- _[http://www.nfc.usda.gov/](http://www.nfc.usda.gov/)_

- _[www.tsp.gov](http://www.tsp.gov/)_

**Notes:**
For change in allocation or to make interfund transfers, we highly recommend using the website mostly because it will take effect immediately

Interfund Transfer – the movement of some or all of your existing account balance among the different funds.

## And to 

**And to **
**Change **
**the % **
**of your**
**Contribution**

**The **
**TSP-1 Election**
**form is used **
**to  Start**
**Your TSP**
**Contributions**

## TSP-50 form

**To Change **
**Your**
**Allocation **
**of your**
**TSP**
**Funds**

*TSP-50 form*

## FEGLI

**FEGLI**

**Federal Employees**
**Group Life Insurance**

**http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp**

## FEGLI Options

*Basic – equal to your salary rounded up to the nearest thousand, plus $2,000 (COST > 15 cents/$1,000 Insurance)*
*Option A – Standard, $10,000 (COST> See Chart, Page 4)*
*Option B – Additional, 1-5 times annual basic pay (COST > See Chart, Page 5)*
*Option C – Family, 1-5 multiples of coverage for your spouse and eligible children.  Each multiple is equal to $5,000 for the death of your spouse and $2,500 for the death of each eligible child (COST> See Chart, Page 6)*
- You are automatically enrolled in Basic,                                      unless you waive it.

**Notes:**
Cost of Options are based on age.  Please refer to charts.

## FEGLI

**Group Term Insurance; No cash value and cannot borrow against for loan.**
**To help determine how much insurance, use guidelines on Page 2.**
**To help determine the cost, use worksheet on Page 18.**
**You MUST be enrolled in Basic coverage in order to elect Optional coverage.**
**You MUST complete an SF 2817 (Life Insurance Election) to   waive insurance or to elect Optional Insurance**
**You have 31 days from today to elect Optional              insurance coverage.**

- IMPORTANT POINTS

**Notes:**
Beneficiaries are in order of precedence, unless otherwise designated.

Note:  It is very difficult to make changes/add Options
          You have to get a full physical exam or have life changing event (list in back of book)
          Open enrollment, extremely rare

## Beneficiary Information

- Optional coverage is effective on the first day you are in a pay and duty status on or after the day your affirmative election is received.

_**Beneficiary Information**_
- payments are automatically distributed in order of precedence        (spouse, children, parents, estate)
- Unless otherwise designated** **
- Contact personnel office for necessary forms to change beneficiary information
- Also applies to TSP and Unpaid Compensation

- FEGLI
- IMPORTANT POINTS

## http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2817.pdf

**http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2817.pdf**

## Additional OptionalFederal Benefits

- Flexible Spending Accounts – FSA
- 	_[http://](http://www.opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp)__[www.opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp](http://www.opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp)__[ ](http://www.opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp)_
- Health Spending Accounts – HSA (Available 2005)
- 	http://www.opm.gov/hsa/
- Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) 	_[http://](http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/)__[www.opm.gov/insure/ltc](http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/)__[/](http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/)_

## http://www.opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp

**http://www.opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp**

**Notes:**
Designed to allow you to contribute money for health care that insurance didn’t cover or for dependant care reimbursement.

Think conservatively.  You will not be reimbursed if you have money left over at end of year.

Not an agency-sponsored program.  

Must contact FSA program directly to enroll and obtain information

## Health Spending Accounts

- _[http://](http://www.opm.gov/hsa/)__[www.opm.gov/hsa](http://www.opm.gov/hsa/)__[/](http://www.opm.gov/hsa/)_

- Your own HSA contributions are tax-deductible
- Interest earned on your account is tax-free
- Withdrawals for _[qualified medical expenses](http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html#d0e516)_ are tax free
- Unused funds and interest are carried over, without limit, from year to year
- You own the HSA and it is yours to keep — even when you change plans or retire
- Your HSA is administered by a trustee/custodian

## Sponsored by OPM

**Sponsored by OPM**
**Designed to help cover cost of at-home care or nursing home**
**For more information, refer to information packet or call   **
**1-800-582-3337**** **

**http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/**

## Professional Liability Insurance

- http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/98-401.htm

- http://wrightandco.com/

**http://contacts.gsa.gov/webforms.nsf/O/4366F7D7DC67B9AC85256A720047DB33/$file/Sf1164.pdf**

**CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT**
**FOR EXPENDITURES**
**ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS**

**WRIGHT & CO.***Key Benefits for Federal Employees***1400 Eye St. NW. Suite 1100. Washington, D.C. 20005-2285****(202)289-0200.   (800)424-9801. fax (202)289-0422**

## at the

- Enjoy your stay

**USDA ARS **
**OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI LOCATION**