Temporary Hire Onboarding Guide | Phase 2: Employment

There are several Help Desks staffed with knowledgeable people who can assist you with your questions.

If you are not sure which Help Desk to contact, the New Hire Help Desk can help you find the answers to your questions. If the staffer who answers your call cannot help you directly, you will receive a live transfer to the right person. You can reach a staff member at the New Hire Help Desk by calling 877-372-7248, option #4 between the hours of 8:15 and 4:15 Mountain Time, Monday through Friday.

As a result of ongoing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the FS has re-imagined what it means to ‘report for work’. The situation challenges us to be creative in how we welcome new employees, how we work individually and collaboratively with others to complete critical work in the office and in the field, and how we serve the public. 

 Depending on the nature of your temporary appointment, your interaction with your supervisor and new colleagues may feel more distant. Especially as a new employee, you may find it challenging to connect and engage. We understand this, and we want to work with you to ensure your onboarding goes smoothly and that you feel welcomed and valued.

A Field Leader’s Comprehensive Perspective on Safety and Wellness. Deputy Regional Forester Sandy Watts shares her perspectives regarding the importance of safety and wellness for all employees. While some of the contact information she shares is specific to those who work on National Forests within Arizona and New Mexico, we each have access to similar resources. Most importantly, her message about the importance of safety should resonate with all of us.

A subsidy for mass transit costs associated with your commute to work is available at some duty locations. Find out if a transit subsidy is authorized for your location and how to apply for a subsidy by visiting with your supervisor. 

Due to COVID-19, some temporary positions are eligible for Flexible Work Schedules. Your position may also accommodate a flexible place of work or telework. Visit with your supervisor to determine whether your position allows for flexibility to the set schedule or to a set office location.

Your supervisor will determine which IT equipment you need for your job, and will submit the appropriate requests to the Chief Information Office (CIO) to initiate government computer access, and potentially issue computer or mobile devices such as cell phones, tablets, or radios, and any other necessary service or equipment.

If assistive technology will be needed, you should initiate a discussion with your supervisor or human resources case manager so that equipment can be ordered.

You will be notified if Forest Service housing, often referred to as government quarters, is available for you in your area. If government quarters are available and accepted, your supervisor will submit a request to Human Resources to initiate payroll deductions to align with your start date in government quarters. Ask questions if you need to clarify any terms of your Housing Assignment Agreement or rent payment obligation.

Temporary Federal employees can secure medical insurance through the Forest Service via the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• You may find FEHB medical insurance to be both comprehensive and affordable. There are many insurance options for self-only and for family coverage. You’ll need to compare the benefits among these plans with others available on the marketplace and determine for yourself if FEHB coverage is best for you.
• While employed temporarily with the federal government, you pay approximately 25% of the total insurance premium and the balance is covered by the Forest Service. Your paycheck is automatically deducted to cover your portion of the premium.
• Once your temporary appointment ends, you may elect to retain the FEHB coverage for up to 18 months. However, the federal co-pay ends when your temporary job ends, and you are responsible for 100% of the ongoing insurance premiums.
• You can visit https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/ to learn more about coverage and prices offered through the FEHB plans.
• To sign up or change your insurance plan, call the HRM Contact Center at 877-372-7248, Option 2 for assistance.

Temporary Federal employees who work less than 90-days earn paid sick leave. Those who work 90-days or more earn paid sick and personal or annual leave. You will start your temporary appointment earning 4-hours per pay-period for sick and if applicable, personal leave. If you do not use all your personal leave prior to the end of your temporary appointment, you will be paid a lump sum for the balance of hours. Your sick leave will not be paid out in lump sum, but it will roll forward if you work for the federal government in another position sometime in the future. Visit these links to learn more about the leave you will earn and how it can be used:

• Annual Leave OPM Annual Leave Fact Sheet
• Sick Leave OPM Sick Leave Fact Sheet
• Family Friendly Leave OPM Website

If you are required to travel for work within the first few days or weeks after reporting to your new job, the Travel Help Desk can assist with securing needed authorizations and arrangements.

You may be eligible for reimbursement for groceries needed for overnight or multi-night field trips if those trips are 50 or more miles away from your duty station.

Individuals who do not need to travel immediately should wait to submit the ETS2 profile request until after they are on board and have received their first paycheck.  You can reach the Travel Help Desk at 877-372-7248, Option 3.

Forest Service (FS) employees can be eligible to receive up to 10 paid holidays during the year. Eligibility for paid holidays varies, depending on the type of appointment you have and when you are scheduled to work. For instance, a part-time temporary employee may only be eligible for a paid holiday if the holiday falls on a day the part-time employee would normally be working. Visit with your supervisor or call the New Hire Help Desk to learn more about if you are eligible for paid holidays and how to code your time sheet for those days.

The following pay schedule links will take you to information provided by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Your Official Job Offer contains your "grade" and "step" which determine the amount you will be paid. In some cases, your pay rate is increased to reflect higher costs of living; this is referred to as locality pay rates.  

You can find your grade and step in these pay tables. Most employees will be paid using the rates in the General Schedule and Locality Pay tables. You can visit with your case manager or your supervisor if you have questions.

• General Schedule (GS) Locality Pay Tables
• Federal Wage System Pay Schedules
• Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) General Schedule Locality Pay Tables

Check with your supervisor to determine if your position qualifies you for a uniform allowance or a safety boot allowance. If you qualify for a boot allowance, you must submit your reimbursement request within 45 days of the purchase of your safety boots.

Work-life is the business practice of creating a flexible, supportive environment to engage employees & maximize organizational performance. Work-life programs are critical management tools for the federal community as we strive to maintain an excellent, engaged workforce. Key work-life programs offered to federal employees include worksite health and wellness, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), workplace flexibilities, telework, and dependent care. Wellness Programs vary by location and position; check with your supervisor to learn what may be available to you.