Benchmarking Career Paths for the STEM Disciplines

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Permalink Reply by Dave Bell on October 6, 2011 at 8:10am

Here in the Risk Management Agency (USDA/RMA) we have a rather robust plan. While most of the documentation is on our intranet, I can provide several documents, etc. if you would like. Here in the Risk Management Agency (USDA/RMA) we have a rather robust plan. While most of the documentation is on our intranet, I can provide several documents, etc. if you would like. Here is a short excerpt pertaining to onboarding:

As a supervisor, your role in the onboarding of the USDA’s new employees is a critical one. Onboarding is the process of integrating employees into their new work environment. It starts before their first day, goes beyond the orientation process and follows the employee through their first year of employment.

Effective employee onboarding serves three interrelated purposes. First, it ensures that the employee feels welcome, comfortable, prepared and supported. Second, these feelings increase the new employee’s ability to be productive and successful, both immediately and over time. Finally, this employee success leads to satisfaction and retention, which allows the USDA to continue to fulfill its mission.

Employees arrive at their new jobs excited and engaged. Your job, as their supervisor, is to channel that energy toward success by helping them become embedded in the organization. As a supervisor, your role is to welcome your new employees, introduce them to the culture and values of the USDA, explain what is expected of them, and supervise their employment and experience. We are counting on you to help make their transition and employment as smooth and successful as possible.

The onboarding process begins with your first phone call the week before the employee starts work and continues with you meeting with them on the first day. Each new employee should receive a welcome letter, preferably before their day at work, using this template.

While onboarding is a year-long process, the first 90 days are critical. To facilitate your role, here is a link to the checklist you will need to focus on during your employee’s first 90 days.

It is your responsibility to ensure that each of these items is covered with your new employee. By attending to the items on the checklist, you will create a stronger bond with your employee and ensure a faster path to productivity and inclusion. We also have developed a guide to assist you.

Being an effective supervisor is critically important for the success of new employees. We appreciate your attention and dedication to this crucial process. Please contact your HR specialist with any questions regarding this process.

Permalink Reply by Marilyn on October 6, 2011 at 10:10am

Those templates and checklists would be very helpful!

Permalink Reply by Marilyn on October 6, 2011 at 10:07am

hopefully your results will be available to all of us since this is an area that seems to be lacking in many government agencies

Permalink Reply by Joe Williams on October 6, 2011 at 2:18pm

My suggestion is NASA.  Both at the Agency level and at field Centers, each has leadership development programs targeted at the GS range you mention.  Visit http://leadership.nasa.gov and see if NASA's approach helps you.

Permalink Reply by Alison Goss Eng on October 7, 2011 at 9:23am

Thanks for the link, Joe!

 

Permalink Reply by Joe Williams on October 7, 2011 at 12:38pm

You're welcome.  Let me know if I can be of further service.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Krzmarzick on October 10, 2011 at 9:11am

Have you considered talking with the folks at DoD's "Armed With Science" podcast?

Also, my hunch is that National Science Foundation would have some great information and examples.

I'll bet Department of Labor is working on the challenge as well. 

Let me know if I can hunt down some more ideas!

Permalink Reply by David Kuehn on October 17, 2011 at 12:22pm

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) developed  communities of practice for technical disciplines to help a dispersed workforce build competency.  For a copy of the order establishing the discipline see the Technical Career Tracks Program. For a description of different disciplines, see this page from the Western Federal Lands Division Office. 

Permalink Reply by Alison Goss Eng on October 18, 2011 at 7:23am

Thank you very much, David.  I had not thought to look at FHWA, but with all their engineering expertise, it makes sense.

Permalink Reply by Amalia Bozoki on December 6, 2011 at 3:22pm

Dave, I wish some other government organizations can see your agency's plan and implement them. They will sure help with the attainment of a productive and successful department. Acceptance and feeling welcome on the part of the new employee is key to stimulating their motivations to do their best.