2015 PHAP application

[Ophrys_apifera]

Those with Lateasia Phillips as their HR Rep, as long as you sent her your full name accepting the position, y'all should be good. She replied to my email with this:

"Yes, I have received your acceptance and we are in the process of creating an account for you to start your onboarding paperwork- you will receive the links in a day or two. Thanks. "

Just got an email back from her as well! Phew.

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[DeeMay]

I just got an offer this morning! I'm staying in DC

 

[peterbrasco]

I just got an offer this morning! I'm staying in DC

Nice. Congrats.

 

[Auctoritas]

Hey, look! an onboarding email! Looks like they weren't playing a trick on me after all!

OK, now I'm officially excited. Hope those offers keep rolling out - don't give up hope yet!

 

[DeeMay]

Nice. Congrats.

thank you

 

[CMB4]

Hi, all! I've joined the PHAP 2015 facebook group and it has been helpful during this onboarding process for the program. I will be relocating to Philly for the program, so if anyone else has gotten placed there lets connect!!

 

[GALeo]

Hi, all! I've joined the PHAP 2015 facebook group and it has been helpful during this onboarding process for the program. I will be relocating to Philly for the program, so if anyone else has gotten placed there lets connect!!

Hi! From my knowledge, you will be the only PHAP headed this way. I am currently in Philly now, close to finishing up my first year. Where are you from?

 

[AMarie03]

So glad to hear more offers are being made! Is anyone else headed to Santa Cruz California? Seems like I may be the only PHAP headed there

 

[krc19az]

Got an offer for Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Anyone know anything about this location? There are no past associates listed on the PHAP site for this location.

 

[CMB4]

Hi! From my knowledge, you will be the only PHAP headed this way. I am currently in Philly now, close to finishing up my first year. Where are you from?

Thanks for reaching out! I'm from Charlotte, NC. Could you provide me with any insight on your first year of the PHAP program in Philly?

 

[kcr7]

A question for current PHAPers, what are the hours that you work on a "normal" day? 7-3, 8-4, 9-5?

 

[Kk16]

Anyone in Los Angeles looking for a roommate? I just accepted my offer there...guess they are still rolling in.

 

[zqm1]

A question for current PHAPers, what are the hours that you work on a "normal" day? 7-3, 8-4, 9-5?

The most common tour of duty PHAPs will work is from 8am-4:30pm. You can be flexible depending on your host site hours so you can also do 8:30am-5pm or 9am-5:30pm. I would also contact your HR rep to confirm

 

[kc0108]

Hi! Just wondering if anyone has been contacted by a security specialist-- I got info from Larry Favors and his directions were a bit confusing so I've called and emailed him but no response. It also says the paperwork is due in 3 days and it's already been 2 and I haven't gotten a response from him. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Ariesgirl87]

Hi! Just wondering if anyone has been contacted by a security specialist-- I got info from Larry Favors and his directions were a bit confusing so I've called and emailed him but no response. It also says the paperwork is due in 3 days and it's already been 2 and I haven't gotten a response from him. Does anyone have any suggestions?

If you already submitted your OF 306 form then I believe you next step is submitting I'D SS card resume etc

 

[kc0108]

If you already submitted your OF 306 form then I believe you next step is submitting I'D SS card resume etc

Hmm do you know who I submit that to? My HR rep or the security person? After getting the security email I am so confused haha...

 

[Ariesgirl87]

Hmm do you know who I submit that to? My HR rep or the security person? After getting the security email I am so confused haha...

My OF 306 form deadline was set by my HR rep but it was submitted via the onboarding manager. .my HR REP was the one that verified that the form was sent all contact afterwards comes from security

 

[nikki06naf]

Hmm do you know who I submit that to? My HR rep or the security person? After getting the security email I am so confused haha...

I sent all my security stuff in on Tuesday. In the email there should be a fax number or email you can use to send it directly to your security specialist.

 

[kc0108]

I sent all my security stuff in on Tuesday. In the email there should be a fax number or email you can use to send it directly to your security specialist.

Awesome, thank you! Unfortunately the fax number isn't working so I just sent it in an email. Then I'm planning on getting my fingerprints done on Monday- have you done those yet too? Thanks again!!

 

[nikki06naf]

Awesome, thank you! Unfortunately the fax number isn't working so I just sent it in an email. Then I'm planning on getting my fingerprints done on Monday- have you done those yet too? Thanks again!!

I thought we had to wait until after we submitted the questionnaire and they tell us to schedule it but when I talked to my security guy he said no I can no it right away. So I'm getting mine done tomorrow.

 

[kc0108]

I thought we had to wait until after we submitted the questionnaire and they tell us to schedule it but when I talked to my security guy he said no I can no it right away. So I'm getting mine done tomorrow.

I thought the same thing, but I called the fingerprint people and they said they can do it whenever. Thanks for letting me know what you are/were doing though, makes me feel like I sort of know what I'm doing and am doing the right thing..

 

[becs73]

Awesome, thank you! Unfortunately the fax number isn't working so I just sent it in an email. Then I'm planning on getting my fingerprints done on Monday- have you done those yet too? Thanks again!!

I just tried to fax mine too and it wasn't going through so I called my security person and he said they just moved buildings or something so their fax machine is not hooked up right now. He said it should be on Monday though. Did you password protect your form when you emailed it? I've been trying to figure out how to get it password protected but haven't had any luck.

I did my fingerprinting today and it was really straight forward.

 

[jsquared91]

A question for current PHAPers, what are the hours that you work on a "normal" day? 7-3, 8-4, 9-5?

Some host sites are flexible, but you have to be there for the "core" hours. 9-3. So the latest you can start is 9am and the earliest you can get out is 3pm. Your lunch is unpaid, so you are in the office for 8.5 hours a day. I worked 7-330 my first year, then 730-4 the second. Some host sites won't give you an option.

Although some areas of the CDC offer flex time for their employees, PHAP doesn't, so you have to work 5 8 hour shifts a week, M-F (with some exceptions depending on your host site responsibilities). Some of us are asked to work a weekend here or there for specific events, typically we can take the extra hours as comp time to be used later.

 

[kc0108]

I just tried to fax mine too and it wasn't going through so I called my security person and he said they just moved buildings or something so their fax machine is not hooked up right now. He said it should be on Monday though. Did you password protect your form when you emailed it? I've been trying to figure out how to get it password protected but haven't had any luck.

I did my fingerprinting today and it was really straight forward.

Now it makes sense as to why the fax wasn't working at all! I just emailed it and couldn't figure out the password protection thing either, it should be fine. I think they say that just so their bases are cover in case your email or their email system gets hacked.

 

[north90210]

Hi everyone,


I had a problem with the fax as well, I used ADOBE acrobat to protect the documents with a password and send it to them. They received it and there was no problem. I think this is the best way at the moment to reach out to your security personnel.

Using password protection is important since it secures your sensitive information. Just in case it goes to a wrong person.

If you google "adobe acrobat password protect pdf" you should see some useful info on how to do it. But first you will have to fill out everything online, print out and then scan it to be able to password protect it.

Also, if you live outside ATL you can make and go for finger prints before or after completing the required pdf questionnaire.

I have a question to the current or past PHAP. When did you receive your official letter? Was it near August or September or after the finger prints?


Thanks

 

[jsquared91]

Hi everyone,


I had a problem with the fax as well, I used ADOBE acrobat to protect the documents with a password and send it to them. They received it and there was no problem. I think this is the best way at the moment to reach out to your security personnel.


If you google "adobe acrobat password protect pdf" you should see some useful info on how to do it. But first you will have to fill out everything online, print out and then scan it to be able to password protect it.

Also, if you live outside ATL you can make and go for finger prints before or after completing the required pdf questionnaire.

I have a question to the current or past PHAP. When did you receive your official letter? Was it near August or September or after the finger prints?


Thanks

The timeline was different for those of us that began in 2013, as we started in July. Maybe one of the 2014ers can answer?

 

[north90210]

The timeline was different for those of us that began in 2013, as we started in July. Maybe one of the 2014ers can answer?

Thanks, but was there any other process after finger print? After what process did you receive the official letter?

 

[JadeGreen]

Hey did you accept ? If so you can send me a message on here so that we don't fill up the thread.

I was offered a position in San Antonio as well!

 

[JadeGreen]

Hey that is fine with me. You can message me on here to feel me in with details. I plan to make a trip down there after the security clearnance to check out apartments

Well my soon-to-be sister in law visits there frequently so I'm going to rely on her a lot for details on the city. I can fill you in as more information starts coming in from our HR rep! Also I'm already a TX native so the idea of moving there doesn't scare me too much. Its very similar to where I live now, or so I've heard from everyone who has been there.

 

[jsquared91]

Thanks, but was there any other process after finger print? After what process did you receive the official letter?

I dug through my old emails, the official letter came about a month after my unofficial offer, after I had started the HR/security processing. But this is the first year that HR has put out the unofficial offers, so the timeline may be different.

 

[peterbrasco]

I received my tentative offer on 6/13/15, submitted my OF306 form on 6/15/2015. I have 16 forms showing in my onboarding manager. I read somewhere in this forum, where someone mentioned having 19 forms in onboarding manager. Am I missing something? I haven't been asked to fill out any background check/ fingerprinting form besides OF306. Am I the only one in this situation? My HR person has no clue (she told me last week that official offers will come in about 2 weeks)and barely replies emails and calls.

Official letter without background check/fingerprint? How possible is that?

 

[Tati23]

I received my tentative offer on 6/13/15, submitted my OF306 form on 6/15/2015. I have 16 forms showing in my onboarding manager. I read somewhere in this forum, where someone mentioned having 19 forms in onboarding manager. Am I missing something? I haven't been asked to fill out any background check/ fingerprinting form besides OF306. Am I the only one in this situation? My HR person has no clue (she told me last week that official offers will come in about 2 weeks)and barely replies emails and calls.

Official letter without background check/fingerprint? How possible is that?

I got my offer this past Monday and I sent out my official transcript the following day. On Wednesday, I got the email about accessing the onboarding system. I just checked and I have 19 forms. My HR person said that security will contact me about background check/fingerprinting as soon as they receive my transcript.

 

[peterbrasco]

So is the background check form in the onboarding manager? I wonder what forms I am missing.
By the way thanks for responding.

 

[peterbrasco]

These are the forms that I have, what am I missing? Thanks.

I 9 Employment Eligibility Verification

OF 306 Declaration for Federal Employment

SF 1152 Designation of Beneficiary Unpaid Comp of Deceased Fed Emp

SF 1199a Direct Deposit Sign-up

SF 144 Statement of Prior Federal Service

SF 181 Ethnicity and Race Identification

SF 256 Self Identification of Disability

SF 2809 HEALTH BENEFITS REGISTRATION - New

SF 2817 Life Insurance Election

SF 2823 Designation of Beneficiary (FEGLI)

SF 3102 Designation of Beneficiary (FERS)

SF 3109 FERS Election of Coverage

SF 61 Appointment Affidavit

TSP 1 THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN ELECTION

TSP 3 Thrift Savings Plan Designation of Beneficiary

W 4 Federal Employee Withholding Allowance

 

[nikki06naf]

These are the forms that I have, what am I missing? Thanks.

I 9 Employment Eligibility Verification

OF 306 Declaration for Federal Employment

SF 1152 Designation of Beneficiary Unpaid Comp of Deceased Fed Emp

SF 1199a Direct Deposit Sign-up

SF 144 Statement of Prior Federal Service

SF 181 Ethnicity and Race Identification

SF 256 Self Identification of Disability

SF 2809 HEALTH BENEFITS REGISTRATION - New

SF 2817 Life Insurance Election

SF 2823 Designation of Beneficiary (FEGLI)

SF 3102 Designation of Beneficiary (FERS)

SF 3109 FERS Election of Coverage

SF 61 Appointment Affidavit

TSP 1 THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN ELECTION

TSP 3 Thrift Savings Plan Designation of Beneficiary

W 4 Federal Employee Withholding Allowance

It looks like your missing these 4 ( i had 20 docs in my on boarding), they are not due until Aug 8th for me. I received my offer on 6/17
298-42 Educational Data Update Form
DG 60 Premium Conversion Waiver/Election
HHS 476 Record of Home Address
HHS 745 HHS ID Badge Request

Did you send your transcripts? They might need that before they submit you on to the background check. I know the OF-306 form starts the security process. A security specialist should email you with instructions on providing a questionnaire, proof of identification documents, and fingerprinting. Since you've been waiting so long I strongly suggest you call/stalk your HR rep and request to speak with someone that can confirm her information or someone more familiar with the process.

 

[peterbrasco]

I submitted transcript and the HR lady confirmed she recieved my transcript.

 

[Tati23]

These are the forms that I have, what am I missing? Thanks.

I 9 Employment Eligibility Verification

OF 306 Declaration for Federal Employment

SF 1152 Designation of Beneficiary Unpaid Comp of Deceased Fed Emp

SF 1199a Direct Deposit Sign-up

SF 144 Statement of Prior Federal Service

SF 181 Ethnicity and Race Identification

SF 256 Self Identification of Disability

SF 2809 HEALTH BENEFITS REGISTRATION - New

SF 2817 Life Insurance Election

SF 2823 Designation of Beneficiary (FEGLI)

SF 3102 Designation of Beneficiary (FERS)

SF 3109 FERS Election of Coverage

SF 61 Appointment Affidavit

TSP 1 THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN ELECTION

TSP 3 Thrift Savings Plan Designation of Beneficiary

W 4 Federal Employee Withholding Allowance

These are the forms I have:

298-42 Educational Data Update Form
HHS 476 Record of Home Address
I 9 Employment Eligibility Verification
Declaration of Federal Employment (OF-306)
SF 1152 Designation of Beneficiary Unpaid Comp of Deceased Fed Emp
SF 1199a Direct Deposit Sign-up
SF 144 Statement of Prior Federal Service
SF 181 Ethnicity and Race Identification
SF 256 Self Identification of Disability
SF 2808 Designation of Beneficiary (CSRS)
SF 2809 HEALTH BENEFITS REGISTRATION -New
SF 2817 Life Insurance Election
SF 2823 Designation of Beneficiary (FEGLI)
SF 3102 Designation of Beneficiary (FERS)
SF 61 Appointment Affidavit
SF 813 Verification of a Military Retiree's Service in Nonwartime Campaigns or Expeditions
TSP 1 THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN ELECTION
Tax WV WV-IT104 - Employee's West Virginia Withholding Exemption Certificate
W 4 Federal Employee Withholding Allowance

 

[Tati23]

So is the background check form in the onboarding manager? I wonder what forms I am missing.
By the way thanks for responding.

If I'm not mistaken, the OF-306 form allows the security process to begin.

 

[peterbrasco]

Thank you. I will call the HR lady tomorrow. I submitted OF306 and my transcript were confirmed recieved.

 

[kcr7]

Some host sites are flexible, but you have to be there for the "core" hours. 9-3. So the latest you can start is 9am and the earliest you can get out is 3pm. Your lunch is unpaid, so you are in the office for 8.5 hours a day. I worked 7-330 my first year, then 730-4 the second. Some host sites won't give you an option.

Although some areas of the CDC offer flex time for their employees, PHAP doesn't, so you have to work 5 8 hour shifts a week, M-F (with some exceptions depending on your host site responsibilities). Some of us are asked to work a weekend here or there for specific events, typically we can take the extra hours as comp time to be used later.

Thank you for your response!
Another question: I realize this may vary from work station to work station, but what are you required to wear to work? Business casual? Polo shirts and khakis? And, do you find that you are behind a desk, in the trenches, or a mix of both...again, I realize this may vary depending on assignment.

 

[jsquared91]

Thank you for your response!
Another question: I realize this may vary from work station to work station, but what are you required to wear to work? Business casual? Polo shirts and khakis? And, do you find that you are behind a desk, in the trenches, or a mix of both...again, I realize this may vary depending on assignment.

For most, I'd say business casual is common. At both of my host sites, khakis or slacks with a dress shirt were appropriate, on occasion a tie. I know others have had some different experiences.

As for location, we're all "on the front line" of public health, but the field work required varies greatly by assignment. Some PHAPs were out in the boonies assisting with blood collection for emerging disease seroprevalence, others are writing grants and conducting program evaluation, others are doing disease investigations. At larger host sites you may be expected to focus in on one area, at smaller ones you may get a bit more experience in all areas.

 

[zqm1]

For most, I'd say business casual is common. At both of my host sites, khakis or slacks with a dress shirt were appropriate, on occasion a tie. I know others have had some different experiences.

As for location, we're all "on the front line" of public health, but the field work required varies greatly by assignment. Some PHAPs were out in the boonies assisting with blood collection for emerging disease seroprevalence, others are writing grants and conducting program evaluation, others are doing disease investigations. At larger host sites you may be expected to focus in on one area, at smaller ones you may get a bit more experience in all areas.

I agree- when PHAP gives you your host site supervisor contact info, that would be a good time to ask about the dress code and office hours in addition to the other questions you have. For me since I do a lot of program admin and data work, I typically wear office attire (dress shirts, slacks, dresses, flats) and my office has a casual Friday.

As a heads up you should would wear your more professional outfits in the first week. My host site made me get an ID for the first day and I was scheduled to have meetings with all the program managers in my first week- it helped me give a good first impression even if I felt over dressed.

Hope this helps

 

[jsquared91]

I agree- when PHAP gives you your host site supervisor contact info, that would be a good time to ask about the dress code and office hours in addition to the other questions you have. For me since I do a lot of program admin and data work, I typically wear office attire (dress shirts, slacks, dresses, flats) and my office has a casual Friday.

As a heads up you should would wear your more professional outfits in the first week. My host site made me get an ID for the first day and I was scheduled to have meetings with all the program managers in my first week- it helped me give a good first impression even if I felt over dressed.

Hope this helps

^^good life advice.

 

[zqm1]

Hi everyone,


I had a problem with the fax as well, I used ADOBE acrobat to protect the documents with a password and send it to them. They received it and there was no problem. I think this is the best way at the moment to reach out to your security personnel.

Using password protection is important since it secures your sensitive information. Just in case it goes to a wrong person.

If you google "adobe acrobat password protect pdf" you should see some useful info on how to do it. But first you will have to fill out everything online, print out and then scan it to be able to password protect it.

Also, if you live outside ATL you can make and go for finger prints before or after completing the required pdf questionnaire.

I have a question to the current or past PHAP. When did you receive your official letter? Was it near August or September or after the finger prints?


Thanks

I got my call 7/7/14 , got my tentative offer 8/10/14, and didn't receive my official offer letter until 9/9/14. It was pretty awful waiting and all of us in the 2014 class complained to leadership; hopefully the process will be much faster for your class. I honestly don't remember too much about my paperwork and they may have changed some procedures with your class so sorry I can't be more helpful! I think you guys received your tentative offer with your phone call so at least that was a little faster.

 

[Tati23]

Is it common to get a pay raise in the second year?

 

[jsquared91]

Is it common to get a pay raise in the second year?

As far as I know, almost everyone got it.

 

[Tati23]

As far as I know, almost everyone got it.

Wow! That's awesome! I thought it was more of a rarity for some reason.

 

[blessed2015]

As far as I know, almost everyone got it.

Hello jsquared91, can you tell me if we can put our student loans in deferment while we are training in the PHAP program?

Thanks

 

[jsquared91]

Hello jsquared91, can you tell me if we can put our student loans in deferment while we are training in the PHAP program?

Thanks

As it's really just a full time job (called a training program to comply with Pathways), I'd guess no, but contact your loan servicer. I've never heard of anyone doing that.

I pretty easily qualified for income based repayment. Cut my monthly payments in half. Again, contact your loan servicer to find out your options.

 

[blessed2015]

As it's really just a full time job (called a training program to comply with Pathways), I'd guess no, but contact your loan servicer. I've never heard of anyone doing that.

I pretty easily qualified for income based repayment. Cut my monthly payments in half. Again, contact your loan servicer to find out your options.

Thank you,I will check with them.