Onboarding and Orientation

The Onboarding and Orientation Branch is responsible for the management, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement for FEMA's prospective new employees. Your first day at Onboarding will prepare you for your career at FEMA.

The Onboarding and Orientation Branch team members are responsible for the coordination of the employee Onboarding process, to include the administrative mechanics of integrating an employee into the organization. Our team works in partnership with the Office of the Chief Component Human Capital Officer (OCCHCO), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Office of the Orientation Chief Security Officer (OCSO), and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (OCAO).

Below you can find information regarding the Onboarding and Orientation process, which will take place during your first two weeks on duty.

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Incident Management Workforce Onboarding

If you are being hired as part of the Incident Management Workforce (Reservist, Incident Management CORE (IM-CORE), Field CORE (IML), Regional Incident Management Workforce CORE (IMR), please defer to FEMA Incident Workforce Academy (FIWA) for reporting instructions and training details.

Onboarding and Orientation Timeline

Week One

Week Two

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Onboarding Toolkit

Find forms and other resource documents to help you get on board as a new FEMA employee.

View the Onboarding Toolkit

Week One

Onboarding prepares you to work for FEMA by giving you the equipment and information necessary to start your job. Your first day reporting for duty is the most important for Onboarding since you will get your equipment and profiles set up that day.

Onboarding Timeline

Pay Period
Monday*Onboarding
Go to FEMA Office for:
- PIV Badge (Verify your 2 forms of valid ID meet this criteria for List A & B)
- Issue and Set Up Equipment (e.g., computer and iPhone)
- Oath of Office
Tuesday Get to know your manager and team.
Wednesday*FEMA Mandatory Training (an overview of Benefits, Ethics, Safety, etc.)

10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT

The virtual benefits brief will allow you to download the benefits packet and forms needed to enroll in the Federal benefits programs and address any questions you may have.

You will receive the Adobe Connect login information after you have set-up your FEMA email account.  It is a full day of briefings and it is mandatory that you attend.
Thursday Work with your manager to get familiar with your office and your performance expectations.
FridayWork with your team on any possible agenda or training that they may have for you.

*If Monday is a federal holiday, Onboarding will be pushed to Tuesday and FEMA Mandatory Training will occur on Thursday.

Week Two

Orientation prepares you to work for FEMA by introducing you to FEMA’s mission, organizational structure, and the resources offered to you as a FEMA employee. You should expect to receive the login information after you have set-up your FEMA email account.

Orientation Timeline

Pay Period
MondayWork with your manager and team.
Tuesday FEMA Virtual Orientation Day 1
12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
WednesdayFEMA Virtual Orientation Day 2
11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
Thursday Work with your manager and team.
FridayWork with your manager and team.
Last updated January 28, 2021