Please contact us using the contact center information above. Current employees can start the process on the internal ConnectHR website.

Applicants Found Ineligible

If you applied and would like a second review. Please contact us using the contact center information above. Ask for a second review.

Felonies

A felony does not necessarily disqualify anyone from applying for a job with the Federal government, including the Forest Service. 
When someone applies for a job, they'll be asked to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment Form (OF-306). Question nine asks if during the last seven years, they have been convicted, imprisoned, on probation, or parole, including felonies, firearms or explosives violations, misdemeanors, and all other offenses. The information helps officials decide if an applicant can serve in the job. In addition, throughout the process of onboarding, there are other background check steps to take and fingerprints to collect. All information will be reviewed for suitability.

Citizenship

In general, those wishing to be employed by the Federal government must be a U.S. citizen. There are some exceptions, and you can find guidelines at USAJOBS.gov.

• Please visit our recruitment contacts page for how you can speak directly to a recruiter. 

• Visit our careers webpage for general careers information and events.

Pay Records

Access to the Employee Personal Page (EPP) website for separated employees is available for 18 months. Separated employees will only have view and download capability. Self-service options will not be available. The EPP system provides access to personal information such as statement of earnings and leave, tax withholding, health benefits, financial allotments, W-2, and other personal information.

Access

1. Before separating, take note of your current EPP user ID, password, and link to EPP: https://www.nfc.usda.gov/EPPS/eplogin.aspx

2. Before separating, log in to EPP to change your work email and phone to your personal information.

3. The first time you log in to EPP after you separate, the system will prompt you to set up a Login.gov account. You will need to use your EPP ID and password to initially access Login.gov.

Unemployment

If you lost your Forest Service employment through no fault of your own, you may qualify for unemployment benefits through the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees program (UCFE). This is not a Forest Service program. Unemployment is a Department of Labor program, and the States determine your eligibility. The Forest Service does not manage the program, determine eligibility, or have any other role. 

You will need this SF-8 Unemployment form (PDF, 193 KB) and use it to apply at a state office. If your state is experiencing issues getting a wage report from the Forest Service, contact your state claims manager and recommend they contact the Employers Edge State Agency Response Center (SARC) Team at 1-866-675-3856 or resubmit the claim through the automated Employers Edge system. 

For more questions, please contact the state office for the state in which you had your last official duty station or the state where you live or contact the Department of Labor. If you need other records, please contact us using the information above. 

Find an Office        Department of Labor

Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)

Your coverage in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program ends on the last day of the pay period in which you separate from federal service, subject to an automatic 31-day extension of coverage (at no cost to you).

Continuation of FEHB Coverage

• You may have the opportunity to convert to a non-group contract with your insurance carrier. You also have the right to temporarily continue your FEHB coverage for up to 18 months after your separation instead of converting it into a non-group contract. You may select any FEHB Program plan to continue your coverage if you are eligible to enroll in the plan.

• To continue your coverage, you must pay the full amount of the premium cost (both the employee and government shares) plus a two percent administrative charge. If you choose to continue your coverage, you have the free coverage described above for the first 31 days then your Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) enrollment and premium charges begin on the day after the 31-day period of free coverage ends. If you continue with TCC until the end of the 18-month period, you are entitled to a 31-daytemporary extension in the same enrollment category held at the time TCC expires for conversion to an individual contract.

• To continue your FEHB coverage, please fill out Health Benefits Election Form SF-2809, and submit it to the Forest Service Human Resources Management Contact Center within 60 days after the date of separation or 60 days after the date of this letter.
  For more information, please visit the Office of Personnel Management’s temporary continuation of coverage webpage.

Dental and Vision Insurance

Temporary Continuation of Coverage only applies to the FEHB Program. Dental and Vision Insurances will end immediately upon your separation from federal service.

Federal Flexible Spending Account (FSA) And Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Programs (DCFSA)

• If enrolled, your participation in the FSAFEDS ends when you separate from the federal service. The Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) or LEX (Limited Expense) HCFSA will end as of the date of your separation. There are no extensions.

• Any eligible health care expenses incurred before the date of separation will still be reimbursed but those incurred after the separation date are not reimbursable.

• If you used your entire elected amount before FSAFEDS has deducted it from your pay, you will not be responsible for the remaining allotments. You can continue to use the remaining balance in your Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) to pay for eligible dependent care expenses until the end of the Benefit Period or until your account balance is used up, whichever comes first.

Please direct all questions to FSAFEDS at fsafeds.gov or call 877-372-3337.

Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)

If enrolled, your participation in FLTCIP continues if premiums are paid timely. You must contact LTCFEDS by calling 800-582-3337, TTY: 800-843-3557, Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M., Eastern time, concerning payment options and informing them of any address change. You may also inquire at ltcfeds.gov.

Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)

FEGLI coverage may not be extended, but you will get 31 days of free coverage after you separate from federal service.

Converting FEGLI

• You have the right to convert your FEGLI coverage to an individual policy within 60 days of your separation. To continue your coverage, you must pay the full amount of the premium cost (both the employee and government shares).

• If you choose to convert your FEGLI coverage, please fill out:

  1. Standard Forms SF 2819 Notice of Conversion Privilege and

  2. Standard Form SF 2821 Agency Certification of Insurance Status.

  3. Then call the HRM Contact Center at 1-877-372-7248, select 2 for assistance.

For more information, please visit the Office of Personnel Management’s FEGLI website.

Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) & Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)

If you have separated from your government job before becoming eligible for retirement:

• You may ask (although not required) for your retirement contributions to be returned to you in a lump sum payment, OR

• If you have at least 5 years of creditable service, you can wait until your retirement age to apply for monthly retirement benefit payments; this is called a deferred retirement.

Returning to Federal Service

If you choose to receive a refund of FERS retirement deductions and later return to federal service, you may be allowed to make a redeposit of the refunded retirement contributions, plus interest. If the redeposit is not paid, it will not be used to compute any applicable future retirement annuity benefit.

Requesting a Refund

If you choose to receive a refund of FERS retirement deductions, please fill out form SF-3106 Application for Refund of Retirement Deductions and return to the appropriate office, as identified below.

• If you have been separated for 30 days or less, please submit your SF-3106 form to the Forest Service, Human Resources Management Office.

• If you have been separated more than 30 days, please mail your application to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) using the address below: U.S. Office of Personnel Management Retirement Operations Center Post Office Box 45 Boyers, PA 16017

More Information

• FERS Refund Fact Sheet

• FERS Refund Application Checklist

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

You have options for maintaining and or taking money from your TSP account when you leave federal service.

• If your account balance is $200 or more, you can keep your TSP account. Although you will no longer be able to make employee contributions, you can still change your investments, transfer eligible money into your account, and continue to accrue earnings.

• You also have the option to roll over your TSP balance into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

Outstanding TSP Loans

If you have an outstanding TSP loan, you may pay the loan in full at separation, set up monthly payments, or take a taxable distribution of the unpaid amount. A taxable distribution means that the portion of the loan that was not repaid is treated as taxable income, and you may be liable for
a 10 percent penalty for early withdrawal.

For more information, please visit the Thrift Savings Plan website at tsp.gov.

Unused Leave

You will receive a lump-sum payment for any unused annual leave and certain other types of leave you earned that were not used at the time of separation. Generally, your annual leave lumpsum
payment will equal your basic pay at the time of separation.

Leave that is paid out

• Annual Leave

• Restored Leave

• Credit Hours

• Compensatory Time (paid at your overtime rate at the time you earned comp time)

Leave that is not paid out

• Sick Leave (Individuals returning to federal service are entitled to have their sick leave balance restored.)

• Time-Off Awards.

• Compensatory Time for Travel

You can expect to receive your lump-sum payment between 6 and 8 weeks after your separation date. Payment will be issued by direct deposit using your bank account information on file at the time of your separation. The lump-sum payment may be made in two separate payments. One for annual leave hours and another for credit and/or compensatory hours. Please know that all payments will have taxes deducted.

Workers’ Compensation (WC) Program

If you have a WC’s claim, your Forest Service WC Case Manager will continue to serve as a liaison between you (the claimant), the USDA Forest Service, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Program. Your case manager will continue to help you
manage your claim. To reach your WC case manager, please call the HRM Contact Center at 877-372-7248, option 2.

Employee Personal Page (EPP)

EPP provides access to personal information such as statements of earnings and leave, tax withholding, health benefits, financial allotments, W-2, and other personal information. You will have access to the National Finance Center’s EPP website for 18 months after you separate. You will only have view and download capability. Self-service options will not be available.

Before separating, please make sure that your address is current or updated using EPP’s self-service feature.

The system will prompt you to set up an account at login.gov where you must use your EPP ID and password to register.

Forgot your ID or Password?

1. Access the EPP website.

2. Select the “I Agree” button.

3. Select the “Sign in with EPP Account” button.

4. Select “Forgot Your User ID or Password” under the login fields and follow the prompts.

Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF)

If you need a copy of your eOPF, please call the Forest Service Human Resources Management’s Contact Center at 877-372-7248, option 2.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EAP offers confidential, professional support services designed to help employees address personal and professional concerns. Available services include counseling, financial guidance, legal assistance, and other resources to help you navigate this time. You can access the EAP by phone at 1-833-621-2989 or on the Forest Service EAP webpage. You may continue to use EAP services for up to 6 months after separation.