Official Offer

Receiving and Accepting Your Official Offer

The moment you've been waiting for has arrived! Once all pre-employment requirements have been met, you will receive an official job offer from USA Staffing via an email from an @opm.gov address.

Your official offer will confirm important details about your position, including your duty station, supervisor, and official start date.

Review your official offer carefully and follow the instructions provided in your offer letter to formally accept or decline the position and complete any required next steps within the timeframe provided.

After accepting your official offer, continue to monitor your email and complete any remaining onboarding tasks or requirements within the timeframes provided by Human Resources.

Congratulations—you are one step closer to joining the Department of the Interior team!

Enrolling for a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card

All federal employees are required to have a secure form of identification known as a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card. Your PIV card serves as your official federal identification and provides access to government facilities, systems, and applications you may need to perform your job.

The PIV card process begins before your first day and includes enrollment, identity verification, a background check, and card activation.

What to Expect

• Step 1: Watch for Your Enrollment Email: During the hiring process, you will receive an email from HSPD12 at your personal email address. This message will include instructions for scheduling your enrollment appointment at a USA Access Credentialing Center. If you do not see the email, be sure to check your spam or junk folders.

• Step 2: Schedule Your Enrollment Appointment: Schedule an appointment at the credentialing center most convenient for you. If possible, select a Department of the Interior credentialing site. If a DOI location is not available, choose a designated shared enrollment site.

• Step 3: Complete Enrollment and Background Check Processing: At your enrollment appointment, your identity will be verified and your fingerprints will be collected electronically. Once submitted, Personnel Security typically receives your fingerprint results within approximately 48 hours. After your background check is cleared and your investigation is scheduled by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), your PIV card will be sent for printing.

• Step 4: Receive Notification That Your Card Is Ready: Printing and delivery generally take 5–7 business days. When your card arrives at the selected credentialing center, you will receive an email from HSPD12 with instructions for scheduling an activation appointment.

• Step 5: Activate and Pick Up Your Card: Visit the credentialing center to activate and receive your PIV card. Once activated, your card can be used for identification and access to authorized government facilities and systems.

Need Assistance?

If you have not received a notification that your PIV card has been delivered within seven days of your start date, first check your spam or junk folders. If you still cannot locate the message, contact your PIV Sponsor, Hiring Manager, or the point of contact listed in your HSPD12 email for assistance.

Key Resources

Understanding how federal employment works is an important part of your onboarding journey. We've gathered information and resources on many of the topics new employees ask about most to help you navigate your employee experience with confidence.

This section includes information on:

• Understanding Federal Pay
• Payroll Calendar
• Benefits
• Holidays & Leave
• Work Schedule & Workplace Flexibility
• Remote Work & Equipment

Explore the resources below to learn more about each topic.

Explore Key Resources

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