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Orientation for Attorneys and Support Staff

Civil Division Attorney and Support Staff Orientation

Welcome to the Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice. Below you will find a list of forms that we need you to complete in order to bring you on board. Please complete the appropriate forms and bring them with you to orientation on your first day. Scroll down the page to locate the benefits forms, which do not have to be submitted on the first day. You have additional time to make benefits elections, as indicated below.

We understand that you may have questions on your benefits or the forms. Please email or call the Personnel Management Branch at (202) 307-0261 with any questions. We will be better able to assist you if you send your questions to us prior to the orientation session.

Form

Who Should Complete

Instructions

SF-256, Self-Identification of Disability

All employees

 

SF-181, Ethnicity and Race Identification

All employees

 

I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification

All employees

Bring two forms of identification to orientation.  One must be a picture ID.  Section two will be completed by Personnel during orientation.

Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration Males born after December 31, 1959  

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. 

Transit Subsidy Application

All employees who wish to participate

Application will only be accepted after you attend orientation.  Submission of application prior to orientation is not permitted. 

Employee Contact Information Sheet

All employees

Fax this to the switchboard on your first day after you report to your office and learn the requested information.

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 to orientation.

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

 

State Tax Forms:

DC (D-4), Maryland (MW-507), or Virginia (VA-4)

All employees

 

D-4A, Certificate of Non-Residence in the District of Columbia

Employees who do not reside in the District of Columbia

 

OGE Form 450, Confidential Disclosure Form

Only Attorneys

Attorneys must complete this form within 30 days of entry on duty and turn into your Staff Assistant or Supervisor. (Do not turn this form in during orientation.)

OARM-9 Reminder of Goverment Attorney Ethical Obligations

Only Attorneys

 

 

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 Office of Personnel Management’s website at http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/Guide-Me/Federal-Employees/

Benefit

Form

Who Should Complete

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

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

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

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 Civil Division within 60 days of your separation and before the end of the same benefit year.

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

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)

(Provides supplemental policies secondary to FEHB coverage)

Apply online at  http://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.

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

Other Benefits Information:

FERS Booklet (Federal Employees Retirement System)

A General Overview of Leave Memorandum

Please review the following documents:

Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch

Privacy and Safeguarding of Personally Identifiable Information Memorandum

Self Reporting of Arrests and Allegations of Misconduct.

What Justice Libraries Have to Offer

Off-Duty Conduct and Ethics Handbook

If you are an attorney, you should review the following documents:

Delegated Procurement Authority for Litigation-Related Expenses Memorandum

Attorneys should email listings@martindale.com for a complimentary entry in Martindale-Hubbell.  Include your name, work address, date of birth (you may ask them not to publish this), year admitted to the bar, area of practice, and school attended. 

Updated February 16, 2023