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Background Investigation Process

Updated 04/13/2010

The background investigation process has changed effective Fiscal Year 2010. As of this point forward, NRCS will no longer require payment for background investigations from the Soil Conservation Districts. National Headquarters (NHQ) has provided guidance that background investigations are now being paid by NHQ.

As a reminder, the items below are required for any federal/state/district employee requesting access to the USDA network:

Computer Privacy & Security Awareness Test for 2010 - Computer access will NOT be granted until test has been graded by Jean Howard;

IRM-02 form -  Signed & dated by employee and their supervisor, office manager, or contracting representative;

IRM-03 form - Completed and signed by the District Conservationist Must include Affiliate ID (if applicable) and site/office ID

OF-306 - Completed & signed by employee

OF-612 - Completed & signed by employee

SF-87 Fingerprint cards (2)

SF-85 - Hardcopy SF-85 printed by employee in e-QIP and a hardcopy of the signature and certifications pages printed from e-QIP

Please forward The FY2010 Computer Privacy & Security Awareness Test, IRM-02 form, IRM-03 form, form OF-306, form OF-612, and 2 SF-87 (fingerprint cards) to Jean Howard, Human Resources Assistant.

After Jean receives these items, she will fill out an e-QIP invite form and provide it to NHQ. Soon thereafter, the employee will get an email from NHQ inviting them to do the SF85 online in the e-QIP system. The employee should complete it online and print out a hard copy of the SF85, signature and certification pages in e-QIP and send those hard copies to Jean at the Maryland State Office.

Once these last items have been received, Jean will send the employee's complete background investigation package to NHQ for processing. This is a very basic summary of what is needed. If you need any of the current forms or have questions regarding background investigations, please contact Jean Howard at 443-482-2932 or Jean.Howard@md.usda.gov.

Contact

Jean Howard
Human Resources Assistant
Phone: 443-482-2932
Email: jean.howard@md.usda.gov

Malcolm Reeves
State Administrative Officer
Phone: 443.482.2926
Email: malcolm.reeves@md.usda.gov