National Conservation Training Center
USFWS New Employee Orientation Program
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Register for New Employee
(online) Orientation Program
(LED 5N46)
Department
of the Interior
Home Page
Orientation
Policy
USFWS policy is collected in Service Manual Chapters, National/Regional Policy
Issuances and Director's Orders. Each program operates under the guidelines provided
in the respective Service Manual Chapters. National/Regional Policy Issuances
announce to employees adopted Service policy. Director's Orders are limited to
temporary delegations, emergency directives, special assignments, and initial policy
or guidance for evolving activities.
As federal employees we also are subject to the rules and guidelines set forth in
Executive Orders, the U.S. Code and the Code of Federal Regulations. The Service
policy page will link you to these as well as the resource laws of interest to the Service.
The following topics are required for new employees to review:
Policy Development
We will complete policy development for national wildlife refuges and the Endangered
Species Act.
National Fish Habitat
Implement the National Fish Habitat Initiative - this may be the greatest legacy we can
leave for future generations.
Hurricane and Wetland Recovery
Educate the public that protection and restoration of marshes and wetlands help protect
people from storm damage.
Endangered Species Act Reform
Work on common sense changes for the purpose of improving job performance and limiting
potential litigation.
State Wildlife Action Plans
Ensure connection of state wildlife plans with the conservation efforts of the FWS and other
government agencies. Work together to find where resource overlaps occur and collaborate
in focus areas.
"It is the policy and expectation of the Service that all employees maintain especially
high standards of honesty, impartiality, character, and conduct to ensure the proper
performance of Government business and the continual trust and confidence of the
citizens of the United States. The conduct of employees must reflect:
the qualities of courtesy, integrity, and loyalty to the United States; a deep sense of responsibility for the public trust; promptness in dealing with and serving the public; and a standard of personal behavior that reflects positively upon
and will be a credit to both employees and the Service.These principles apply to official conduct as well as private conduct that affects in any way
the ability of employees or the Service to effectively accomplish the work of the Department."
Service Manual Chapter 212FW1Employees who are required to file a financial disclosure report, must complete one hour of
Ethics training annually. Making Ethics a Part of the Workplace booklet, meets this annual
requirement; however, in order to be credited with this training you must complete the form
at the end of the booklet. All employees should be familiar with its contents, which include:
use of government equipment and charge cards, traveling, accepting gifts, conflict of interest
and much more.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to eliminating discrimination and
sexual harassment in the work place. It is the policy of the Service that
discrimination of any type and sexual harassment in any of its various forms will
not be tolerated. National Policy Issuance 98-03
"It is Service policy to provide equitable treatment in all Service programs and activities to
all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin and physical or
mental disability; promote and practice equal employment opportunity at all levels of the
work force; and, attempt resolution of all complaints of discrimination based on race,
color, religion, age, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability and reprisal."
Service Manual Chapter 060FW1
All Department of the Interior staff must take the Discrimination and Whistleblowing in the
Workplace training. To obtain credit for this course, you will need to complete the post
assessments with an average score of 75% or higher. Javascript must be enabled for your
assessment to be scored and for your progress to be tracked. It is not recommend to take
this course through Lotus Notes.
How to Access the TrainingThis training is available through DOILearn.
As a Service employee, you are limited in the types of political activities in which you may
participate. It is the policy of the Service that employees engage only in the types of political
activities permitted by Service Manual Chapter 212 FW 6 and refrain from the prohibited
activities. Please review the information in permitted and prohibited activities in the policy.
Policy Statement
As part of the post course evaluation, you must affirm that you have read and understand the
above Service policies regarding Zero Tolerance of Discrimination and Sexual Harrassment,
Commitment to Diversity and Equal Employment, Political Activity and Standards of Ethical
Conduct and completed the DOI No Fear Act online training. You will be asked this question
as part of the post course test in DOI Learn.
If you have questions,
comments or problems with the orientation website, send email to:
Webmaster, USFWS, NCTC, 698 Conservation
Way, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. •