New Employee Onboarding Process

Welcome to the Office of the Inspector General!

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General (OIG). We look forward to your entrance on duty with us.

As a member of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), you are a part of statutorily independent entity that has been existence for over twenty-five (25) years. The OIG is a leader in detecting and deterring waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct in Department of Justice programs and personnel, and in promoting economy and efficiency in government programs. The OIG has an outstanding and dedicated staff of over 470 employees working to fulfill this mission in which you will be joining. The Department of Justice as a whole is ranked in the top 3 of the best agencies to work for in the federal government.

Here at OIG, we are committed to providing an outstanding work environment for our employees that supports career growth, professional development, and work life balance. We also strive to provide each employee with outstanding leadership, as well as interesting and fulfilling work. We are glad you joined us and we will work hard to meet or exceed your personal and professional goals.

Our Human Resources Office provides the full range of services for your employment with the OIG. These services include benefits information, professional development, performance, pay, timekeeping, awards, and employee relations. Please do not hesitate to call us if you need further information on any of these or other areas concerning your employment. The information below provides information on our outstanding benefits package and the determinations you must make upon being employed with the OIG. Please review it carefully, make the appropriate determinations for your personal situation, and bring the forms with you when you enter on duty.

I look forward to meeting you on your first day. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at (202) 305-0113 or via email at Harriett.Richmond@usdoj.gov.

Best Regards

Harriett Y. T. Richmond
Director, Office of Human Resources
Management and Planning Division
Office of the Inspector General
Department of Justice

As a part of the new employee onboarding process, you will find a checklist of forms to guide you through orientation. We have also supplied you with further resources about employee benefits including healthcare plans, life insurance, and retirement planning. You will have additional time to make benefits elections, as indicated below. The benefits forms do not have to be submitted on the first day.

As part of the onboarding process, you are required to complete multiple forms to enable your transition as a federal employee or transfer from another government agency. Please print and complete the appropriate forms and bring them with you on your first day. If you have any questions on these forms, please contact the Human Resources Specialist identified in your offer letter.

Form	Who Should Complete	Instructions
SF-256, Self-Identification of Disability	All employees	Instructions are provided on page 2 of the form.
SF-181, Ethnicity and Race Identification	All employees	Instructions are provided on page 1 of the form.
I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification	All employees	Instructions for Completing Form Bring two forms of identification on your first day. One must be a picture ID. Section two will be completed by Personnel on your first day.
Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration	Males born after December 31, 1959	Instructions are provided on page 1 of the form.
SF-144, Statement of Prior Federal Service	All employees	All employees should summarize prior government service, even if you check “yes” to question 4. If you do not have any prior service, write N/A in blocks 5 though 7. If you had prior active duty military service, please provide copies of your DD 214, Military Discharge Certificate.
DOJ-543, Employee Locator Information	All employees	Do not fill out “Office Address.”
Notice to New Employees: Withholding for Social Security (FICA) Taxes	Only employees transferring from another federal agency	Leave “Organizational Code” blank. Please provide a copy of your final earnings statement.
Direct Deposit Form	All employees	Prior to orientation, go to your bank and get the representative's signature. After you get the signature, do not have your financial institution mail this to us as instructed on the form; rather, bring it on your first day.
AD-349, Employee Address for Payroll	All employees	Complete Section I and items 13 & 14. Do not complete Section II.
W-4, Federal Tax Form	All employees	Specific instructions are provided on page 2 of the form.
Select your State Tax Form: All State Tax Forms	All employees	Choose one that applies to your state of residences.
D-4A, Certificate of Non-Residence in the District of Columbia	Employees who work in DC but do not live in the District of Columbia
OMB No. 3209-006, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report	All employees, except Pathways Student Interns	This form is to be completed within 30 days of your appointment and provided to your supervisor. Questions regarding this form should be directed to the Office of General Counsel at (202) 514-3435.

Federal Benefits Forms

As a new employee there are some decisions that you will need to make, most within 31 or 60 days from your appointment date. You do not need to bring your benefits forms to orientation if you have not decided on your elections yet. If you are transferring from another federal agency, your benefits will continue and you cannot re-enroll. For comprehensive information on benefits, visit the website of the Office of Personnel Management.

Benefit	Form	Who Should Complete	Deadline	Notes
Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)	SF-2817, FEGLI Election Form You should complete the form even if you do not elect optional insurance.	All employees new to the federal government and employees returning to the federal government with a break in service of 180 days or greater Pathways Students on a Not To Exceed Appointment (NTE) should not complete this form.	60 days from your appointment date	FEGLI Program Booklet You’re automatically enrolled in Basic life insurance effective on the date of your appointment UNLESS you waive this coverage. You do NOT get Optional insurance automatically – you have to take action to elect it. There are not regularly scheduled FEGLI open seasons. If you are an employee returning to federal service with a break of less than 180 days, you will retain the same FEGLI coverage you had in your previous federal appointment, including waivers. You do not get a new election opportunity upon your rehire.
Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program (FEHB)	SF-2809, FEHB Election Form You should complete the form whether you elect to enroll or not.	Only employees new to the federal government Pathways Students on a Not To Exceed appointment (NTE) should not complete this form.	60 days from your appointment date	FEHB Fact Booklet Healthcare Plan Information If you don't make an election, you are considered to have declined coverage and you must wait until the next open season to enroll (which occurs in the November to December time frame). Coverage begins on the first day of the first full pay period following receipt of the election form in the Personnel office. It will take several weeks to receive your membership card; in the meantime, use the SF-2809 as your card. The government subsidizes the cost of health insurance. You may not change coverage outside an open season unless you experience a qualifying life event. Premiums are deducted from pre-tax income.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)	TSP-1, TSP Election Form TSP-1-C, TSP Catch Up Contribution Election For employees over 50 to make “catch-up” contributions	Only employees new to the federal government Pathways Students on a Not To Exceed appointment (NTE) should not complete this form.	You can start, change, stop, and resume TSP contributions at any time.	Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan Booklet Federal Employee Retirement System employees will receive an automatic agency contribution equal to 1% of their pay regardless of whether or not they contribute to the TSP. FERS employees also receive agency matching funds. The agency matches the employee’s contributions dollar-for dollar on the first 3% of basic pay contributed each pay period and 50 cents on the dollar on the next 2%. Additional information below.
Thrift Savings Plan - Federal Employee Retirement System employees do not need to complete a waiting period to be eligible to receive either type of agency contributions. For FERS employees, the first contribution will be the agency automatic 1% contribution, which will establish your TSP account. If you elect to contribute to the TSP, agency matching contributions will begin with your first contribution from pay. Once your account has been established, you will receive a welcome letter from the TSP containing your TSP account number. In a separate mailing, you will receive a 4-digit PIN, which will allow you to access your TSP account using the ThriftLine, the TSP’s automated voice response system, and an 8-character password ~ which will allow you to access your account using the TSP’s web site. Your TSP contributions will be automatically invested in the Government Securities Investment Fund (G Fund) until you make a different choice.
Benefit	Form	Who Should Complete	Deadline	Notes
Flexible Spending Account (Pre-tax benefit program for health care and dependent care)	Enroll online at: www.fsafeds.com or by calling 1-877-372-3337 TTY: 1-800-952-0450	Employees new to the federal government Employees transferring from another federal agency: Your previous election will be reinstated as long as you join the OIG within 60 days of your separation and before the end of the same benefit year.	60 days from your appointment date	After your initial enrollment, you must renew your election every year during open season (Nov- Dec). Other times, changes can be made only for a qualifying life event. This program permits payments for expenses not covered by medical insurance and for costs for day/adult care. FEHB deductions are not covered. There is no government participation toward cost. FSA deductions are taken from pre-tax dollars. Application will only be accepted after you enter on duty. Submission of application prior to your start date is not permitted.
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program	Apply online at: www.ltcfeds.com or by calling 1-800-582-3337 TTY: 1-800-843-3557	Employees new to the federal government Pathways Students on a Not To Exceed appointment (NTE) should not complete this form.	You have 60 days from your hire date to apply using the abbreviated underwriting application with limited health-related questions. If you apply AFTER the 60 day period, you will have to use the long underwriting application with numerous health-related questions, and greater possibly of denial.	This is coverage for nursing home care, in-home care, hospice, etc. at a group rate. Coverage is from private insurers and there is no government participation toward cost. Coverage can be denied. Family members can be covered. Premiums are paid from post-tax income. Application will only be accepted after you enter on duty. Submission of application prior to your start date is not permitted.
Benefit	Form	Who Should Complete	Deadline	Notes
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) (Provides supplemental policies secondary to FEHB coverage)	Apply online at: https://www.BENEFEDS.com or by calling 1-877-888-FEDS (1-877-888-3337) TTY: 1-877-889-5680	Only employees new to the federal government Employees transferring from another federal agency: You can continue coverage by notifying BENEFEDS. Pathways Students on a Not To Exceed appointment (NTE) should not complete this form.	60 days from your appointment date	Pre-tax premiums will be deducted from your salary. There is no government contribution to the premiums. You are eligible to enroll in FEDVIP if you are eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, but you do not have to be currently enrolled in FEHB. If you do not enroll within 60 days, you can enroll during the annual open season (Nov – Dec). Other times, changes can be made only for a qualifying life event. You must re-enroll each year.
Designations of Beneficiary for: Unpaid Compensation Life Insurance (FEGLI) Retirement Contributions	SF-1152, Designation of Beneficiary: Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee SF-2823, FEGLI Designation of Beneficiary SF-3102, FERS Designation of Beneficiary OR SF-2808, CSRS Designation of Beneficiary	All employees who wish to designate a beneficiary or update a prior designation Pathways Students on a Not To Exceed appointment (NTE) will only complete the unpaid compensation Form (SF-1152)	N/A– You may file updated forms whenever necessary. SF-1152, SF-2823, and SF- 3102 should be returned to your HR Specialist. SF-2808 goes to the address listed on form.	If a beneficiary form is not filed, benefits will follow an order of precedence: widow or widower; if none, to children; if none, to parents; if none, to executor/administrator of estate; if none, to next of kin. Designations must be kept current. An out-of-date designation may mean the money goes to someone that you no longer wish to give it to. If you have a will or succession plan, it will be superseded by any designations of beneficiary you have on file. Most federal employees first hired on or after 01/01/84 would complete the FERS Designation of Beneficiary form. If you are a new federal employee, do not fill out this form.