AO New Employee Information

Employees of the AO play a vital role in fulfilling our mission – supporting the Judicial Branch of government in providing equal justice under law. It’s our vision to be the most effective service organization in government – a team that is trusted, respected, and accountable.

The orientation process assists new employees in becoming productive members of the AO team. Through orientation, training, and other programs you will meet new coworkers and supervisors who can assist you in your new role at the AO. The first step in the orientation process is for you to complete a number of forms we will need to legally hire you and establish your personnel and payroll records. Please complete all forms listed as below. Print the completed forms, and bring them with you to orientation.

If you have any questions as you go through the following information, please call the Human Resources Specialist who contacted you regarding your new job, or call the AO Human Resources Division at 202-502-3800.

Forms to Complete Before You Report

Pay 

Direct Deposit Sign-Up (SF-1199A) - Mandatory for all employees and must be completed by financial institution.

Federal Tax Withholding (W-4)

State Tax Withholding - Fill out one state tax withholding form for your state of residence. If state tax withholdings are required but you do not see your state of residence listed, please call the AO Human Resources Division at 202-502-3800.

• Arizona, Withholding Percentage Election (A-4)
• District of Columbia, Employee Withholding Allowance (D-4)
• Maryland, Employee Withholding Exemption Certificate (MW-507)
• Commonwealth of Virginia, Personal Exemption Worksheet (VA-4)
• West Virginia, Employee's Withholding Exemption Certificate (WV/IT-104)

Employment

• Statement of Prior Federal Service (SF-144)
• Military Service Information - for veterans only (IF-238) (pdf)
• Prior Service Questionnaire (pdf)
• Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) (pdf)
• Trial Period Statement of Understanding - for non-supervisors (pdf)
• Trial Period Statement of Understanding - for supervisors (pdf)

Benefits

Please review the Benefits for New Hires (pdf) prior to completing any benefits form. Links to more extensive information regarding available federal benefits follow the forms below. You may review the information and bring completed election forms with you to orientation OR you may make an election at a later time. You will have 60 calendar days from the date of your appointment to elect life, dental/vision, and health insurance.

• Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Election Form (SF-2809)

  • Not required if transferring from another federal agency. You may also sign-up electronically after hire date.
• FEHB Dependent Information (IF-244) (pdf)
  • For employees transferring FEHB coverage from another federal agency.
• Federal Employee’s Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Enrollment Form (SF-2817)
  • Not required if transferring from another federal agency. You may also sign up electronically after hire date.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Election Form (TSP 1)
• TSP Catch-Up Contribution Election (TSP-1-C)
  • For contributing employees age 50 or older.
• Designation of Beneficiary – Unpaid Compensation (SF-1152)
• Designation of Beneficiary – Civil Service Retirement System (SF-2808)
• Designation of Beneficiary – FEGLI (SF-2823)
• Designation of Beneficiary – Federal Employees’ Retirement System (SF-3102)
• Designation of Beneficiary – Thrift Savings Plan (TSP-003)

If you do not complete designation of beneficiary forms, benefits are distributed to an established order of precedence (see forms). It is important for you to consider updating these forms on a periodic basis, particularly after any significant life event such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, etc.

Benefits Information

Insurance - Office of Personnel Management (OPM) site on life, health, dental, vision, long-term care insurance NOTE: The Judiciary has its own flexible spending account (FSA) program and does not participate in the program described on OPM’s web site.

Flexible Spending - Information on this Judiciary benefit program will be provided to you after you begin employment

FERS Retirement - For employees new to the government and transferring employees covered by FERS

CSRS Retirement - For transferring employees already covered by CSRS or former employees previously covered by CSRS who may now be covered by CSRS Offset only

TSP Summary Booklet (TSPBK08)

Non-Federal Leave Credit

As a new employee, you may be eligible to receive service credit (pdf) for certain active duty uniformed service or non-federal work experience. Service credit, if granted, is for annual leave accrual purposes only. You do not have an automatic entitlement to receive this service credit and you must apply to receive this credit prior to your entrance on duty with the AO.

AO Required Reading

Please use the links below to read important information about AO policies and expectations. You will be asked to sign a receipt verifying you have read this information.

• AO Code of Conduct (pdf)
• AO Fair Employment Practices (FEPS) (pdf)
• Use of Government Equipment and Services (pdf)

Finally, you may be contacted separately regarding forms for a background investigation if one is required, and there will be a few additional forms to complete on the day of your orientation. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to meeting you!