NEW EMPLOYEE GUIDE - USDA
NEW EMPLOYEE GUIDE[June 2010]
Table of ContentsOverview of USDA. 4Overview of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) . 4Conservation Careers . 4Types of Appointments . 5Probationary Period . 5Policies and Regulations . 5Ethics and Personal Conduct. 5Political Activities. 6Government Property and Supplies . 6Computers and Telecommunications . 6Dress Code . 7Telephone Tips. 7Office Mail . 7Office Closures . 7Drug-Free Workplace Policy . 8Smoking Policy . 8Pay and Leave . 8Submitting Time and Attendance (T&A) Sheets . 8Pay Schedules . 9Overtime . 9Within-Grade Increases/Wage Rate Increases . 9Work Schedules . 9Credit Hours . 9Excused Absence . 10Time off for voting. 10Compensatory Time Off . 11Witness Service. 10Voluntary Emergency Services. 10Participation in Non-Federal Organizations . 11Change of Official Duty Station . Error! Bookmark not defined.Adjustment of Work Schedules for Religious Observances . 11Court Leave. 10Annual Leave . 11Sick Leave. 11Military Leave. 12Holidays . 12Voluntary Leave Transfer Program . 12Travel and Transportation . 12Travel . 12Travel Expenses and Authorization . 12Government Travel Credit Card . 12Use of Motor Vehicles . 12Government owned vehicles (GOV). 12Information Technology Security . 13Personal Responsibility. 13
Magic Ticket . 13Background Investigations. 13Benefits . 13Insurance Programs . 13Employee Assistance Program (EAP) . 15Transit Benefit Program . 15Retirement . 15Automated Systems . 17WebTCAS (Web-based Total Cost Accounting System) & Timekeeping . 17EmpowHR/Human Resources Information System (HRIS) (formerly ICAMS or CAMS) . 17eAuthentication . 17AgLearn . 17NFC Employee Personal Page . 17My NRCS . 17eOPF . 18Career Management . 18Position Classification . 18Position Description . 18Performance Standards . 18NRCS Mentoring Program . 19Telework . 19Promotions and Transfers . Error! Bookmark not defined.Merit Promotion . 19Awards . 20Job Protections . 20Anti-Discrimination Laws . 20Appeal Rights. 20Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity . 20Grievances/Alternative Dispute Resolution . 20Reasonable Accommodations . 20The Privacy Act of 1974 . 21The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) . 21Safety and Health . 21Accident Reporting and Worker’s Compensation . 21A Message from Human Resources . 22
Overview of USDAThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) serves allAmericans daily. The Department’s mission is toimprove and maintain farm income, to assure consumerssafe and adequate food supplies at reasonable prices, andto develop and expand markets for projects abroad. Itworks to enhance the environment and to maintainproduction capacity by helping landowners protect thesoil, water, forests, and other natural resources. Ruraldevelopment, credit, and conservation programs are keyresources for carrying out National growth policies.Other research covers such areas as animal disease andpest control, crop production, and the marketing and useof agricultural products.In the Department’s early years, the vast majority ofAmericans lived on farms, and farmers produced onlyenough food to supply themselves and few other people.Today, although less than 3 percent of the populationresides on farmland, farm workers produce enough forthis country – as well as for a growing export market.Agriculture is, in fact, this Nation’s largest industry andits largest employer – approximately 21 million peoplework in some phase of agriculture – from growing foodand fiber to selling it in the supermarket. Americansenjoy better diets because of USDA’s nutrition research,education efforts, and food assistance programs.USDA research findings, directly or indirectly, benefitall Americans. The Department’s thorough inspectionand grading services safeguard and assure standards ofquality in the daily food supply.Overview of Natural ResourcesConservation Service (NRCS)The NRCS came out of troubled times – the Dust Bowldays of the 1930s. Dust storms ravaged the Nation’sfarmland, stripping away millions of tons of topsoil.Huge dust clouds carried the soil hundreds of miles, allthe way to the Atlantic Ocean. Since that time, NRCShas kept a commitment to protecting and conserving soiland other natural resources on America’s private lands.The NRCS is known worldwide for its accomplishmentsand innovations in conservation. The people of NRCSare recognized for their talent, dedication, and ingenuityin making the agency’s programs work. Participation inNRCS’ programs is voluntary - the people we servewant us with them as they take necessary steps to reduceerosion, protect wildlife, promote good land use, andother measures to preserve the Nation’s natural resourcesfor future generations.At NRCS, we take pride in our partnerships. We workwith local soil and water conservation districts to letpeople know how important it is to conserve naturalresources and, together, we work with them on how todo it.Conservation CareersNRCS offers career opportunities for folks who are stillin college and for those who have already graduated.Here is an overview of some of those opportunities. Soil Conservationist – Most of their time is in thefield working with farmers, ranchers, and other landusers. Soil Conservationists offer conservation planningand technical help to everyone from family farmers tolocal government officials. Conservationists suggestways to help to conserve the soil, improve water quality,manage nutrients, and protect and improve wildlifehabitat. Soil Conservation Technician – Technicians assistSoil Conservationists. Their most important job isworking on the land with farmers, ranchers, and otherlandowners. Soil Conservation Technicians show themhow to install conservation practices and oversee thequality of those practices. Engineering surveys anddesign standard conservation practices such aswaterways, terraces, and contour strip-cropping systemsare also part of the job. Soil Scientist – Soil Scientists map and classify soil,identify problems such as wetness and erosion, and useaerial photographs to map soils and write soildescriptions and prepare other information about soils.They also sample soil and evaluate soil quality, workwith watershed information and water quality reports,and record changes in land use patterns. Biologist – spend most of their time in the fieldworking with private landowners, other agencies, andunits of government. They provide technical support onfish and wildlife habitat development or restoration. Engineer – NRCS employs a large number ofengineers who have specialized skills in erosion control,water management, structural design, construction,hydraulics, soil mechanics, and environmentalprojection, along with general engineering skills. Jobassignments may include establishing stream-bank anderosion control measures and water supply systems;designing waste management systems and concrete andearthen dams; and applying bioengineering principles tosolve a host of natural resource problems. Engineers alsobecome involved in helping communities recover fromnatural disasters.
Engineering Technician – is involved in planning,design, and construction work. Assists the Engineer withsurveying the land, plotting notes, and laying ons, and prepares maps and cross sections ofprofiles. They may also serve as a construction inspectoron a wide variety of projects. Other Careers in NRCS – Accounting; AgriculturalEconomics; Agronomy; Aquatic Biology; contracting, Forestry; Geology; Human Resources;Hydrology; Plant Sciences; Rural Sociology; WatershedManagement; Wetland Science, and Wildlife Biology.Types of AppointmentsThere are various types of Federal appointments. Youwill receive a copy of Form SF-50-B, “Notification ofPersonnel Action”. The “nature of action” block on thisform will indicate the type of appointment you have.Your particular type of appointment will determine youreligibility for Federal benefits. Career-Conditional Appointment – This is themost common type of appointment. You must serve aprobationary period of 1 year. If your service issatisfactory for 3 continuous years in this appointment,you may be converted to a career appointment. Career Appointment – After you serve yourprobationary period, and complete 3 substantiallycontinuous years of service, you can convert to a careerappointment. This is the most permanent of allappointments within the Federal Service. Thisappointment provides you with greater employment andjob retention rights. Excepted-Service Appointment– Certain positionsare “excepted” from the normal requirements ofcompetitive service by law, executive order, or Office ofPersonnel Management regulations. Many exceptedappointments have a time limitation (180 days – twoyears). Employees appointed to excepted positions donot go through the same kind of competitive process ascareer or career-conditional appointees; therefore, theydo not receive the same benefits or employment rights. Term Appointment – The Agency may make a termappointment for a period of more than one year, but notmore than four years when the need for an employee’sservices is not permanent. Reasons for making a termappointment include, but are not limited to: projectwork; extraordinary workload; scheduled abolishment,reorganization, or contracting out of the function;uncertainty of future funding; or the need to maintainpermanent positions for placement of employees whowould otherwise be displaced from other parts of theorganization. Temporary Appointment – Occasionally, theAgency needs employees for immediate short-term jobs.Employees in temporary appointments do not receive thesame benefits as permanent employees. They do nothave the same employment rights, do not participate inthe retirement system, and are not eligible for health andlife insurance benefits.Probationary PeriodIf you are a new employee on a career or careerconditional appointment, you must serve a one-yearprobationary period. Employees on an excepted-serviceappointment may be subject to a one or two year trialperiod depending on the legal authority under which thenew employee is appointed. The trial period is the lastand most important step in the hiring process. It isintended to give the Agency an opportunity for on-thejob assessment of your overall fitness and qualificationsfor continual employment and to permit the removal ofan employee whose performance or conduct does notmeet acceptable standards. If your performance orconduct is deficient during the probationary period, youmay be removed from Federal service.Policies and RegulationsIt will be beneficial for you to read and understand theregulations and policies that affect your work, yourconduct as an employee and agency procedures. EachFederal Agency publishes regulations, policies, andprocedures to supplement those provided by USDA orprovide information on matters that pertain only to theAgency. Information pertinent to employees is containedin directives, manuals, circulars, and instructions. YourHuman Resources staff can assist you with thisinformation.It is your duty to help keep the cost of Governmentoperations to a necessary minimum. You should be alertof any opportunity to improve jobs in your immediateoffice, other parts of the Agency, or other governmentalagencies.Ethics and Personal ConductAs a federal employee you are held to standards ofethical behavior representative of a public servant. Theseethical standards are outlined in Executive Order 12674and modified by Executive Order 12731. There are twocore concepts underlying the ethical standards of theseExecutive Orders: employees shall not use public officefor private gain; and employees shall act impartially and
not give preferential treatment to any privateorganization or individual. In addition, employees mustavoid any action that would create the appearance thatthey are violating the law or ethical standards. You willreceive copies of: Self-Certification of Accomplished Ethics OrientationBrief The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of theExecutive Branch (Including the Principals of EthicalConduct, section 2635.101—2635.107) Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct forEmployees of the Department of Agriculture Employee Responsibilities and Conduct OHRMPersonnel Bulletin 735-1Your supervisor will allow you official time to reviewthe ethics regulations. If you have any questions aboutwhich of the rules applies to you in your currentposition, or any other questions, please discuss themwith your supervisor and/or the State /www.nrcs.usa.gov/intranet/ethics.Political ActivitiesUnder the Hatch Act, Federal employees facerestrictions on their ability to participate in politicalactivities. Generally speaking:Federal employees may: be candidates for public office in nonpartisan elections; register and vote as they choose; assist in voter registration drives; express opinions about candidates and issues; contribute money to political organizations; attend political fundraising functions; attend and be active at political rallies and meetings; join and be an active member of a political party orclub; sign nominating petitions; campaign for or against referendum questions,constitutional amendments, or municipal ordinances; campaign for or against candidates in partisanelections; make campaign speeches for candidates in partisanelections; distribute campaign literature in partisan elections; and hold office in political clubs or parties.Federal Employees may not: use official authority or influence to interfere with anelection or legislation; solicit or discourage political activity of anyone withbusiness before their agency; solicit or receive political contributions (may be donein certain limited situations by federal labor or otheremployee organizations); be candidates for public office in partisan elections; engage in political activity while on duty, in agovernment office, wearing an official uniform or usinga government vehicle; or wear political buttons on duty.Government Property and SuppliesEmployees have a duty to protect and conserveGovernment property and should not use Governmentproperty for other than authorized purposes.Government property includes items such as officesupplies, telephone and other telecommunicationsequipment and services, Government mail; automateddata processes capabilities, printing and reproductionfacilities, Government records, and Governmentvehicles.Computers and TelecommunicationsUSDA policy provides for limited personal use ofGovernment computer and telecommunicationsequipment on an occasional basis, provided that theuse involves minimal expense to the Government anddoes not interfere with official business. Occasionalpersonal use of computer/telecommunicationsresources shall take place during the employee’spersonal time, not during business hours. Use of theFederal telephone system for personal long-distancecalls is not allowed.While the occasional use of telecommunicationsresources in moderation is acceptable, uses notconsistent with the USDA policy are strictlyprohibited. Employees are expected to conductthemselves professionally in the workplace and torefrain from using telecommunications equipment foractivities that are inappropriate or offensive to coworkers or the public, such as sexually explicitmaterials or remarks that ridicule others on the basisof race, creed, religion, color, sex, handicap, nationalorigin, or sexual orientation. Questions concerningappropriate use of Government property, includingtelecommunications equipment, should be addressedto your supervisor.
Dress CodeOffice MailNRCS generally has an office dress code policy that isprofessional business casual. However, you should andare responsible to dress properly for the occasion. Youroffice, work environment and supervisor will influenceyour dress style. Always be neat and clean in whateveryou choose to wear. Clothing should be clean and free ofrips, tears, or holes. Your dress style will project apositive or negative image about “you”. You broadcast amessage in what you wear. We suggest you make anaccurate statement in your appearance and transmit apositive, professional image at all times. Remember thatyour dress is a reflection of you and the Agency. Dressprofessionally to match the occasion. Shorts, short skirts,crop tops, t-shirts with advertising, etc. are notappropriate dress.Outgoing correspondence are mailed using officialpostage- and a fees-paid privilege. However, they mustconform to postal regulations and to Agency mailingprocedures. Do not use Government letterhead andpostage-paid privileges for personal business. Unless itis an emergency, do not have personal mail or packagessent to your office. It is a violation of Federal laws andregulations to use postage-paid Government envelopesto file job applications.Telephone TipsWe must make every effort to provide good customerservice. Listed below are tips for a successful telephoneconversation –Office ClosuresIn some situations, conditions will be of sufficientmagnitude to cause hazardous conditions which could bedangerous to the safety of employees at a specific office.The condition must be general rather than personal inscope of impact and sufficient to prevent mostemployees from reaching work safely. Office closing ordelayed opening will be communicated to employeesthrough an established telephone notification system. Inthe hazardous conditions case, the following policy willapply in New York: Check voice mail frequently throughout the day. Maintain an up to date and accurate message at alltimes. Answer your phone personally whenever possible. Learn to ignore people’s indifferences. People willprovoke you only if you let them. Turn negative stress into a positive force by practicingself-control and maintaining high self-esteem. Use self-discipline to maintain an ongoing dialogue,even in difficult situations. At some point in your conversation, give everyone youtalk to a positive stroke. Make a brief apology if there is a problem, and do itwith a smile. Callers can always hear it. Tune out distractions and concentrate on what is beingsaid in the conversation. Let the other person talk without interrupting him/her. Improve listening by taking accurate notes. Ask questions so that you keep in tune with what thecaller is thinking, as well as saying. Speak the caller’s language so everyone can relax. Always remember you are a representative of theAgency.If the office opening is delayed, it should be delayed to acertain time, e.g. 10:00 a.m., rather than a “2-hourdelay.” All employees who report to work will begranted administrative leave from the beginning of theirregularly scheduled tour of duty until the determinedopening time. Excess time should be charged toemployee’s leave. Employees who do not work at all ona delayed start day will be charged leave for the entireday.Employees who choose not to report to work due to thehazardous weather conditions will be charged annualleave for the entire workday. This is consistent withNRCS policy found in General Manual 360, Part 415.2N(3)-(8), May 2003.If an early dismissal decision is made, the earlydismissal will be at a certain time, e.g. 3:00 p.m. Allemployees on duty at the scheduled dismissal timeshould leave the office and will be grantedadministrative leave until the end of their regularlyscheduled tour of duty.When an early dismissal decision is made, employeesmay be approved leave, as requested, between the noticeof dismissal and the actual dismissal. They are not to becharged leave from the time of actual dismissal to theend of the workday. However, if the employee choosesto leave the office prior to the notice of the dismissalthey will be charged the entire time as leave.
If the employee is on scheduled leave and the office isclosed the entire day for hazardous conditions; theemployee is not entitled to administrative leave.forthcoming. Individuals who refuse such counseling, orare convicted of a second offense, will be subject todisciplinary action.In order to accommodate those who have concerns aboutwinter driving conditions when the office is functioningon a regular schedule, a flexible leave policy isestablished which will allow individuals to adjust theirarrival or departure time. This type of leave is charged toann
for future generations. At NRCS, we take pride in our partnerships. We work with local soil and water conservation districts to let people know how important it is to conserve natural resources and, together, we work with them on how to do it. Conservation Careers NRCS offers career opportunities for
USDA. Project Team Jane Duffield, MPA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA Jackie Haven, MS, RDN Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, USDA Sarah A. Chang, MPH, RDN Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, USDA Maya Maroto, MPH, RDN Child Nutrition, USDA. Pilot Schools Thurgood Marshall Academy Public
To add a new employee, click Add Employee and fill in the Employee profile shown below. To submit the new employee's profile click the Add Employee button at the bottom of the screen. When viewing an individual employee's record you can see the employee's Profile, Account Summary, Enrollments, Contributions, Claims, Payments, and Status.
Employee or an employee's dependent becomes entitled to coverage under Medicare, or the employee or employee's dependent loses eligibility for coverage under Medicare. No No Yes Yes Yes Employee's or dependent's current health plan becomes una vailable because the employee or dependent is no longer eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Texas Roadhouse Nutrional Guide Page 2 . less than 1g Fire-Roasted Green Chiles USDA Choice Sirloin (6 oz) Yes 250 50 6 2.5 0 125 560 3 1 1 46 USDA Choice Sirloin (8 oz) Yes 340 70 8 3 0 170 740 5 2 2 61 USDA Choice Sirloin (11 oz) Yes 460 100 11 4.5 0.5 235 1020 6 2 3 84 USDA Choice Sirloin (16 oz) Yes .
Dec 27, 2020 · The effective date of contractual employee terminations should be the last day of work Procedure: 1. Search for the employee. Tip: To find an employee Type the employee name or employee ID in the Search field. Then, click the Search icon, OR Find the employee in their
834 Other long-term employee benefits are all employee benefits other than short-term employee benefits, post-employment benefits and termination benefits. Termination benefits are employee benefits provided in exchange for the termination of an employee's employment as a result of either: (a) an entity's decision to terminate an employee's employment before the normal retirement
webTA Timekeeper Reference Guide Selecting an Employee Purpose The Select employee tool allows you to select an employee from a list of all the employees assigned to you. From the Timekeeper Select Employee screen you can perform various tasks on any of the employees listed. Example You need to make edits to an employee’s T&A record.
HARBORTOUCH RETAIL USER GUIDE 8 MAIN MENU _ ADDING A NEW EMPLOYEE _ 1. To add a new employee, begin by clicking on SETUP followed by the EMPLOYEES tab. 2. Click on NEW EMPLOYEE. 3. Fill out the information for the new employee. You can assign the new employee a job position in .
