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New Employee Orientation Information

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Welcome

New Employees

Welcome to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) component under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)! We are excited to have you as part of our organization. You play a critical role in fulfilling the mission of ICE – to protect America and uphold public safety by targeting people, money and materials that support terrorist and criminal activities. It’s with your help we meet our mission.

Here, you will find various resources to help you begin your orientation process including getting to know our organization, our values, and our mission. This site provides the essential information, contacts, and checklists to begin your journey of joining ICE.

Your orientation begins here and will continue once you are officially on board. Explore this site and utilize these resources to help launch your amazing career with ICE. The Pre-Boarding Information for New Hires document linked below is a great tool to start with; it will guide you through activities to complete and conversations to come that will help you become accustomed to your new position and environment. The New Employee Checklist and other tools linked below provide you with critical ICE information and support.

Our employees are our most important asset and we are invested in helping you feel welcomed, valued, and engaged. We’re glad to be your employer of choice, and hope you find your time as a member of the ICE team to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience!

Before You Report

Preparing for Duty

To prepare you for your Entrance on Duty (EOD), please review the link below on actions to take in USA Staffing:

Pre-Boarding Information for New Hires

Prior to coming onboard with ICE, you will be contacted by phone/email from HR, your Program Office Point of Contact (POC) and/or a sponsor (peer/coworker). HR will provide information on USA Staffing (onboarding system for forms) and New Employee Orientation (NEO). Your Program Office POC will give specific information on reporting to your duty station, equipment, and other appointments you will have during your first week of work. Please check your email for this important information.

What To Expect On Your First Day

Your first day will be entirely virtual so please check your email for a link to a Microsoft TEAMS meeting.

Watch the video to learn more about things that need to be done before onboarding, what your first day will look like and what to expect after your first day.

Your First Day

Your first day of work may look a little different than you imagined as you may not be in the office or field but instead may be ‘onboarding’ from your home or other location. Your virtual orientation will be a time when you can ask questions, learn about ICE’s mission and what the different offices do to uphold public safety.

Whether you are brand new to the federal government, a current federal employee transferring from another federal agency within Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or from an agency outside of the DHS components, we hope you can find some useful resources and information at this site. Once you are onboarded and have access to our internal SharePoint web pages, you will be provided with more need-to-know information about being an ICE employee, where to find things and what to do over your first six months onboard. An employee checklist is below for you to use to keep track of important items and actions that are needed during your onboarding experience.

Checklist for New Employees

You have a team of supporters within ICE to help you during your integration to ICE and will be available for you every step along the way. HR is here to answer any questions about pay, leave, benefits, retirement, tax withholding, etc. Your Program Office POC, Supervisor and/or Sponsor are your primary contact for general questions going forward.

Forms Needed for Your First Day

During New Employee Orientation, you will be asked to have with you forms of identification as listed in the linked document below. Additionally, you will be asked to finish the uncompleted forms from USA Staffing like your Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) and Declaration of Federal Employment (OF-306) forms along with some other forms designated in USA Staffing.

Acceptable I-9 Supporting Documents

Employee Benefits

ICE offers a broad array of benefit programs and family-friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family. Learn about the resources, benefits and programs available to you that help promote a balanced, healthy approach to life in the workplace and at home by clicking the on the link below along with going through the information at the bottom of this page. Additionally, check out the videos that go through some of the federal employee benefits that are available for federal employees.

Check out our benefits

Learn more by going to the Federal Employment Information Fact Sheet, "Working for the Federal Government Benefits

Employee Benefit Information

These videos go through some of the federal employee benefits that are available for federal employees.

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

  • Nationally recognized model offering 200+ health plan options throughout the U.S.
  • No waiting period or physical examination to enroll
  • No exclusions for pre-existing conditions
  • Substantial employer contribution to premiums (up to 75%)
  • Pay premiums with pre-tax dollars
  • Coverage for self & eligible family members
  • Opportunity to retain coverage into retirement with full government contributions
  • Opportunity to continue coverage for dependents

Learn more at OPM Healthcare

Dental and Vision Insurance Programs

  • Comprehensive range of services available
  • Choice of carriers
  • Competitive rates
  • Pay premiums with pre-tax dollars
  • Coverage for self & eligible family members

Learn more at OPM Dental and Vision

Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Elect pre-tax salary dollars
  • Save money on a variety of eligible health care and dependent care expenses

Learn more at OPM Flex Spending

Long Term Care Insurance Program

  • Multiple plans available
  • Covers long term care if you can no longer perform everyday tasks due to a chronic illness, injury, disability or aging
  • Comprehensive range of services available
  • Competitive rates
  • Eligibility – self & eligible family members
  • Apply by answering just a few simple questions

Learn more at OPM Long Term Care

Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program

  • Group term life insurance
  • Basic life insurance and 3 options provide coverage for self & eligible family members
  • 33% of basic insurance premiums paid by employer
  • No physical required for initial enrollment
  • Opportunity to retain coverage into retirement

Learn more at OPM Life Insurance

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)

  • Retirement annuity for life beginning as early as age 55
  • Benefits based on length of service and salary
  • Military service may be credited toward FERS (deposit required)
  • Vesting after 5 years of creditable civilian service
  • Eligibility for survivor and disability benefits after 18 months of civilian service
  • Earn Social Security credit while working for the Government
  • Government employees are automatically eligible for Medicare Part A at no cost beginning at age 65

Learn more at OPM FERS Information

Thrift Savings Plan

  • Supplements your retirement annuity
  • Tax deferred contributions
  • Largest single defined contribution plan in the U.S. similar to a 401(k) plan
  • Multiple investment options
  • Agency and matching contributions for FERS employees
  • Option to rollover money from an existing retirement plan

Learn more at TSP Summary

Leave and Holidays

  • 11 paid holidays
  • Earn 13 days of sick leave with no carryover ceiling
  • Accrue 13, 20 or 26 days of vacation leave depending upon years of service or related work experience
  • Carry up to 30 days of vacation leave into the next calendar year
  • Family and Medical Leave Act allows up to 12 weeks per year of unpaid leave for caring for a sick family member
  • Up to 104 hours of paid leave for disabled veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.  It is available during their first year of employment for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability (available to new Federal civilian employees hired on or after November 5, 2016)

Learn more at OPM Pay and Leave

Work/Life Programs

  • Alternative Work Schedules: Many ICE positions are afforded flexible or alternative work schedule options in addition to the traditional 8-hour day/40-hour week schedule.
  • Telework: Telework is an alternate work arrangement that is available to eligible employees occupying qualified positions. This allows an employee to perform their official duties from home or a telecommuting center for an approved number of days each pay period (every 2 weeks). The employee’s management official will determine whether a position can be performed effectively via telework, and the amount of telework authorized.
  • Remote Work: Remote work is an alternative work arrangement available to eligible employees occupying qualified positions. It allows an employee to perform their official duties at an approved alternative worksite (e.g., from home or a telecommuting center) without requiring them to work regularly at the agency’s worksite. The employee’s management official will determine whether a position is authorized for remote work.
  • Voluntary Leave Transfer Programs: Allow co-workers to transfer leave to others in need.
  • Transportation Subsidy: Employees taking public transportation/carpools are reimbursed for transportation costs.
  • Health & Fitness: Depending on the location, some ICE facilities have well-equipped fitness centers available to employees.
  • Childcare Referral Services: ICE’s Worklife Program has partnered with Federal Occupational Health (FOH) to provide a variety of services to employees that will assist them in navigating everyday concerns. As part of the partnership, FOH assists federal employees and their families in locating reliable local childcare resources, such as day care, summer camp, after-school programs, and tutoring, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone or online. FOH also assists employees in locating supportive programs for special needs children.
  • Tuition Reimbursement: ICE may pay all or part of the necessary expenses of training, including the costs of college tuition for training and education, to improve an employee’s performance of his or her official duties.
  • Student Loan Repayment Program: ICE may repay student loans up to annual limits.
  • Employee Assistance Programs: ICE provides services designed to help employees, managers, and organizations meet life challenges and remain healthy, engaged, and productive. Some fees may apply for additional services beyond the consultation. ICE EAP services are voluntary and confidential within the limits of the law.
    Some of the services available include:
    • Access to licensed counselors who provide in-person, short-term counseling for a wide range of concerns to include relationships, legal, financial, family, substance abuse, depression, parenting, and more
    • Assistance with short-term problem solving, management coaching, and crisis management
    • Help when there is an incident or crisis that affects the workplace - psychological first aide, grief groups, consultation, and education
    • Access to Work-Life specialists who provide information, resources, and referral to:
      • Childcare (daycare, preschools, etc.)
      • Eldercare (assisted living, in-home care, etc.)
      • Daily Life (relocation, event planning, etc.)
      • Family (adoption, prenatal, etc.)
      • Legal and financial (credit and debt, tax tips, identity theft issues, etc.)
      • Childcare (nursery-graduate school, etc.)
      • Library of resources including health and wellness articles, presentations, webinars and podcasts

Learn more at OPM Work/Life

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

ICE's EAP provides confidential short-term counseling and referrals for issues that are having an impact on your ability to work or your personal life. EAP counseling services are free to employees and their eligible family members. The EAP will either address your concerns during counseling sessions, or they will refer you on to appropriate community resources, counselors, and other supports. Issues addressed by an EAP include:

  • Life changes - divorce, new job, new baby, aging parents, grief and loss, retirement
  • Life challenges - drug and alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, food insecurities
  • Job stress and burnout
  • Coping with difficult situations or difficult people

Learn more about: Employee Assistance Program EAP Legal Services EAP Financial Services

Drug-Free Federal Workplace

Executive Order 12564 established the goal of a drug-free workforce and mandated that all Federal employees refrain from illegal and illicit drug use as a condition of employment. Employees occupying Testing Designated Positions (TDPs) are subject to applicant testing and random. Any questions regarding the drug-free workplace program should be directed to your supervisor.

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