SEFSC WEB SITE

New Employees

New employees receive a folder of information from the Central Administrative Support Center (CASC) which includes fliers about the various benefits available.
Life Insurance: Life insurance coverage is automatic and premiums will be deducted from your pay). You may however decline life insurance at the time when you are hired. If you decline life insurance, then you must have a complete physical examination prior to receiving life insurance coverage. You may elect optional life insurance coverage with the submission of form SF2817. Additional personal coverage and family coverage are life insurance options. Health Coverage: Health coverage is provided through a myriad of options. An SF2809 Health Benefits Election form is used to select an insurance plan. Premium rates are given in a booklet included with the packet, but information regarding comparative coverage and benefits of the myriad choices is not. The best comparative information is available at the Office of Personnel Management, but you will still have to call the individual programs to learn about participation by specific doctors and/or hospitals. Health coverage is effective on the first of the month following your hire date. Retirement Savings: Both FERS and CSRS employees, members of the uniformed services, as well as certain other employees can participate in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). FERS employees are generally those hired on or after January 1, 1984. CSRS employees are generally those hired before that date who did not convert to FERS. If you are a FERS or CSRS employee, you can participate in the TSP, regardless of whether you work full time or part time. If you do not know your retirement coverage, contact your agency personnel office. Neither the Board nor the TSP record keeper has the authority to make or correct retirement coverage determinations. New employees can begin contributing their own money to the TSP within 60 days of being hired as a Federal employee. Your payroll contributions will begin the first full pay period after your agency accepts your TSP Election Form (TSP-1). Federal Tax Withholding, State Tax Withholding, Direct Deposit Allotments, Home Address Check Mailing, and Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) information is available through a system called Employee Express. You will receive a PIN # for the Employee Express system which is accessible on the Internet or by phone (From work call:(912)757-3083; From home call:1-800-827-6281; Help Desk call:(912)757-3030; Hearing impaired call:(912)757-3117). You will need your PIN and SS# to access the Employee Express system.
			Getting Security Clearance
			All new employees are required to have a background check performed when being hired. They will be required to complete and submit a: Declaration for Federal Employment Authorization for Release of Information Fingerprint Chart SF 85 These forms are obtainable from and will be distributed by the Center's Program Management Analyst during the new employee's orientation.
SEFSC Orientation	Office Keys		Id Card
Each new employee will receive an orientation from the hiring Division or Group. Generally, their supervisor will introduce them to Center personnel and acquaint them with the facility. The supervisor will ensure they have secured access to all pertinent services for the employee to perform their hired tasks.	Each office has a unique key for securing the door. Keys are issued by the Facility Management group upon request. New or replacement keys can be obtained by completing a Key Request Form. The form requires an authorization by the employee's supervisor.		Each employee is issued a USDC, NOAA Employee Identification key card. This "smart" card serves as identification an provides access to the Miami facility. The key card will open the front entrance gate and all outside doors equipped with a card system. New or replacement key cards are obtained by completing an ID Card Request form and submitting it to the Facility Management group. The form requires an authorization by the employee's supervisor.
Computer Access		IT Security Awareness Training	Environmental, Safety & Health
A system access application must be submitted for each individual from any agency that has a requirement to access any of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center's computer servers. To obtain access to the Southeast Fisheries Science Center's data, both forms need to be submitted to Patrick Cope. Due to sensitivity of data within the Center, all applicants are required to conform to the NOAA Administrate Order 216-100, Protection of Confidential Fisheries Statistics by completing and submitting a Statement of Nondisclosure with their application. 'SEFSC System Access Application' and 'Statement of Non-Disclosure' forms are available through the Information Resources Management Division(IRM). Each applicant will be issued an identification code (user-id) that will be required each time they access an SEFSC server. Services requiring an aplication are: Data Collection servers (Oracle databases), Local Area Network servers (LAN), Local Electronic Mail (E:Mail).		The IT Security Awareness Training Course is MANDATORY for all NOAA employees, contractors, and temporary personnel. Temporary personnel includes visitors, guest workers, associates, etc., who plan to work at a NOAA site and use NOAA IT resources for more than a month. NEW EMPLOYEES must take the course within THREE DAYS of being assigned use of IT equipment that will allow them access to the course. Security awareness is crucial to safeguarding NOAA's information assets. This training course was developed to meet Federal, Departmental, and individual requirements of information security awareness. IT Security Office Training, Education, and Awareness	NEW EMPLOYEES are required to complete the following during the course of their orientation: Review and become familiar with their: 1)facility specific Emergency Action Plan for instruction on responding to various building emergencies including building alarms, evacuation routes, location of emergency equipment, fire prevention plans, and how to use a fire extinguisher; 2) facility specific Hurricane Preparedness Plan for instruction in the event a hurricane threatens the area. Complete the NOAA Safety Awareness training for a basic overview of safety and environmental compliance requirements. Employees which may be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal working conditions are required to complete Hazard Communication training prior to their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced into their workplace. This training explains chemical properties, labeling requirements, and Material Safety Data Sheets. Employees assigned to work in a laboratory setting are required to review the SEFSC Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) upon initial assignment and annually thereafter. The CHP contains general laboratory procedures designed to ensure that employees are apprised of the hazards contained in their work area as well as specific practices and controls used to protect them. Please contact your laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer before or after reviewing the SEFSC CHP.