Onboarding Step 3: Preparing for Your First Day

A path winding across a topographical map that features an email symbol, a signature, and website addresses that read usastaffing.gov and edoiu.doi.gov. The trail is marked by three dots, and all three dots are highlighted.
You'll complete a training and more forms in the last step of the onboarding process.

Key Information

Now that you’ve finished steps 1 and 2 of the onboarding process, you should begin preparing for your first day of work with the National Park Service. It is our hope that this guidance reduces any anxiety and gives you some insight into preparing for your first day of work.

2-3 Weeks Before Start Day: Complete the Information Management and Technology (IMT) Awareness Training

All new National Park Service employees, contractors, or others requiring network access to Department of Interior (DOI) systems must complete all modules in the IMT Awareness training course. The DOI External Training page has instructions for creating an eDOIU account and finding courses.

You must complete the IMT Awareness training and send a copy of the course completion certificate to your supervisor at least 2 weeks before your start date. This will enable you to get up and running on any required systems as quickly as possible.

Previewing Your First Day and Week

Your supervisor and a human resources professional will work together to guide you through your first day. On your first day, activities may include a new employee orientation, a tour, introductions, and ensuring you have physical access to your workspace.

For remote employees, this might be done through a Microsoft Teams meeting and may include ensuring you have access to the various software and systems you’ll be using to perform your job.

Your first day will also require that you complete some final tasks within USA Staffing. This will all be done digitally within the USA Staffing site:

  • Complete an I-9 form, which requires providing documentation that establish identity and employment authorization. A list of acceptable documents can be found at the USCIS page. You should be prepared to present acceptable document(s) as needed your first day.
  • Attend a virtual or in-person swearing in ceremony where you take the oath of office as a federal civil servant.
  • Digitally sign an SF-61 Appointment Affidavit form within USA Staffing.
  • Digitally re-sign the OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment form within USA Staffing.

Please defer to any individualized instructions you may receive from a Human Resources professional or your supervisor.

Once you’ve got all your onboarding actions completed and your first day in the books, you can focus on getting to know your supervisor, colleagues, and role. You will likely need more specialized trainings or additional systems access based on your role and your supervisor will work with you to address those needs.

Get Excited to Join the National Park Service Team

We are thrilled that you have decided to join our team! You will find employees of the National Park Service are incredibly mission driven. We look forward to welcoming you on your first day. For now, take some time to:

Previous Steps

Now that you have reviewed step 3 of of preparing for your first day, go back to reference the other steps if needed.

Last updated: September 26, 2024