Your Onboarding Journey
Onboarding at NDS spans America by Design, OPM, and the Studio. This timeline brings it all together so nothing falls through the cracks.
Are you a visa holder? Some steps differ for visa holders vs.
regular employees. Items marked with a 🌐 have special requirements — reach out
to Jaylee or Kaitlyn for guidance specific to your situation.
1
America by Design — Foundation Onboarding Before Day 1
Your official offer, contracts, and benefits enrollment through America by Design (ABD) and our PEO, Insperity.
2
Concurrent Items Days 1–14
These run in parallel with your foundation onboarding. Government forms, fingerprinting, equipment, and expense management.
3
Email & Account Setup Days 1–7
Getting your email and core accounts active. Use your permanent email from Day 1 to avoid platform issues.
Email transition warning: If you start with a temporary email
and switch to a permanent one, tools like Linear and Figma can break. Always
use your permanent email from Day 1. If that's not possible, flag it to Ed so
he can manage the transition.
4
Systems Access Days 1–14
Getting into all the tools you need. Ed Corstine is the primary key holder — if unavailable, escalate to Jaylee.
5
Building Access & Badge Days 1–90+
EEOB access and badge processing. Badge appointments can take 3+ months — submit the WAVES form on Day 1 and follow up weekly.
6
Orientation & Integration Week 1–2
Meet your team, get oriented, and start building context.
FPO — Content Needed
Buddy System Assignments
Each new hire gets paired with an onboarding buddy. Currently Ed has been the default — expanding to a rotation.
Needs: Buddy rotation list from Jaylee.
7
30-Day Check-In Day 30
Team & Contacts
The NDS is part of the America by Design initiative, embedded within the federal government. Here's who's who — and who to call for what.
Not sure who to contact? Use the routing table below.
Who to Contact For What
| I need help with… | Contact | How to Reach |
|---|---|---|
| Building access, WAVES, EEOB entry | Kaitlyn Koller Director of Operations | kaitlyn@ndstudio.gov / (847) 702-1313 |
| HR forms, payroll, background checks, benefits | Alicia Chin HR Coordinator (Part-Time) | alicia@americabydesign.com |
| Tool access, system setup, Figma, GitHub, Cursor | Ed Corstine Director of Engineering / Primary Key Holder | ed@ndstudio.gov |
| Equipment (laptop, peripherals) | Ed Corstine → escalate to Jaylee | ed@ndstudio.gov |
| Onboarding questions, process escalation | Alicia Chin → escalate to Jaylee Adams | alicia@americabydesign.com / jaylee@ndstudio.gov |
| Offer letter issues, contract questions | Alicia Chin | alicia@americabydesign.com |
| Code review, dev standards, engineering workflows | Ed Corstine Director of Engineering | ed@ndstudio.gov |
| Design files, brand assets | Jaylee Adams Executive Producer / Dir. of Production | jaylee@ndstudio.gov |
Leadership
JG
Joe Gebbia
Chief Design Officer
Chief Design Officer
EC
Ed Corstine
Engineering
Engineering
AJ
Aaron Jackson
Design
Design
KK
Kaitlyn Koller
Studio Ops
Studio Ops
JA
Jaylee Adams
Production
Production
Engineering 13 members
EC
Ed Corstine
Director of Engineering
CS
Caelin Sutch
Engineering
GH
Greg Hogan
Engineering
BS
Braden Steffaniak
Engineering
AS
Ahmad Sandid
Engineering
TK
Tyler Kim
Engineering
AB
Adam Bhaloo
Engineering
AW
Aldous Waites
Engineering
LB
Luis Bizarro
Engineering
YC
Yat Choi
Engineering
ZT
Zach Terrell
Engineering
TG
Tai Groot
Engineering
AO
Abdul Omira
Engineering
Design 5 members
AJ
Aaron Jackson
Founding Design Partner
DP
Darshan Phillips
Design
MN
Michael Novia
Design
JC
John Cafazza
Design
JD
Jim Debrock
Design
Creative 4 members
PA
Peter Arnell
Creative
NB
Nate Brown
Creative
TO
Trevor Orton
Creative
BP
Brjian Powell
Creative
Tech Stack & Engineering Setup
Every tool you'll use, how to get access, and who to contact if you're stuck.
Access Escalation Path
First
Ed Corstine
Message, email, or IRL
If unavailable
Jaylee Adams
Message, email, or IRL
Core Tools — Everyone
Linear Project Management
Issue tracking, sprint planning, and project management. Must use
@ndstudio.gov email.
Access via: Ed Corstine
Figma Design
Design files, prototypes, and brand assets. Delays are common —
request early.
Access via: Ed Corstine (primary key holder)
Google Workspace Productivity
Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Meet. Activated with your @ndstudio.gov
account.
Auto-provisioned with email
Ramp Expenses
Expense management and corporate card platform. Portal instructions
sent during onboarding.
Auto-provisioned by ABD
Engineering Tools Engineering Only
GitHub Engineering
Source code, repositories, and version control. You'll need org invite
+ repo permissions.
Access via: Ed Corstine
Cursor IDE Engineering
AI-assisted code editor. Licenses available.
License via: Ed Corstine
Admin Studio Engineering
Engineering-focused admin panel. Not for ops team.
Access via: Ed Corstine
Bedrock Engineering
Platform access for NDS infrastructure and deployments.
Access via: Ed Corstine
Vercel Engineering
Hosting and deployment platform for NDS projects.
Access via: Ed Corstine
Printer Setup
The printer connects via a hidden Wi-Fi network. Follow these steps exactly.
Step 1 — Connect to the Printer's Hidden Wi-Fi Network
1
Open System Settings → Go to Wi-Fi
2
Scroll down and click on "Other…"
The printer Wi-Fi is a hidden network — it won't show up in the list
like usual.
3
Type in the credentials as shown below, then click OK:
📶
Add a Wi-Fi Network Profile
Enter the name and security type of the network you want to add.
Network Name Brother Printer
Security WPA2/WPA3 Personal
Password
pwJ4MxbX
4
Once connected, "Brother Printer" should appear at the top
of your Wi-Fi list.
Step 2 — Add the Actual Printer
1
In System Settings, go to
Printers & Scanners
2
Click "Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax…"
3
Select the printer and click "Add"
4
It should now show up as
"HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e Series" when you go to print.
FPO — Content Needed
Code Review Standards & Development Workflow
Clear expectations for code quality, PR review procedures, branch naming, and commit conventions.
Needs: Ed / Danny to document engineering standards.
FPO — Content Needed
Staging Sites & Project Directory
Centralized hub for staging URLs, project status, shipped sites, and ongoing projects.
Needs: Ed to compile staging URLs and project list.
EEOB & Building Access
The Eisenhower Executive Office Building is our home base during team weeks. Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Entrance is at 17th and State. You must have a Real Government
ID or passport to enter — USSS requires this for all guests. A passport is acceptable
for the remainder of this year.
Point of Contact — Building Access
KK
Kaitlyn Koller
Director of Operations — your go-to for all things EEOB
The Building
Address & Our Space
- Address 1650 17th St. NW
Washington, DC 20006 - Our Room Room 309
- Access Code 7864#
- Entrance 17th and State only. This is the only entrance you are permitted to use.
Getting Here
- From Hotel Washington Walk — highly recommended. Traffic near the WH complex is heavy and Ubering to 17th takes longer than simply crossing over the front or back of the WH grounds.
- Walk time ~13 minutes on foot
- Drive time ~5 minutes (without traffic)
Bring With You — Every Visit Checklist
WAVES — Your Access Pass
WAVES is what gets you into the EEOB. It is the single most important thing to sort before you arrive.
What WAVES Is
The U.S. Secret Service vets every person who enters White House grounds. WAVES (Worker and Visitor Entry System) is the form that collects your personal information — DOB, Social Security, etc. — so USSS can confirm you're cleared to come on campus. It takes under 2 minutes to fill out.
WAVES does NOT grant all-day access. Every time you leave campus
and plan to re-enter, you must request a new form from Kaitlyn. Your session
expires — there are no exceptions.
How WAVES Works — Step by Step
1
Request a WAVES form from Kaitlyn — give her a minimum
of 1 hour notice before entry or re-entry every time.
2
USSS reviews your form and grants or denies access. Once
approved, you'll receive a confirmation email from the White House.
3
Arrive at 17th and State within your 1-hour window.
Example: if you tell Kaitlyn 9am, your window is 8am–10am.
4
Pass through USSS screening — present your Real Gov ID,
go through the magnetometer and bag scan.
Inside the Building
Conference Rooms
Need a room? Reach out to Kaitlyn directly. The more notice, the better.
Cafeteria — Ground Floor
- Ike's 9am – 4pm
- Grab & Go 24 Hours
Both on the Ground (G) floor.
Rules to Remember
- Only entrance 17th and State. No other entrance is permitted — do not attempt any other gate.
- 1-hour notice Give Kaitlyn a minimum of 1 hour notice before every entry and re-entry. No exceptions.
- No all-day access WAVES expires when you leave. You must request a new form from Kaitlyn every time you plan to re-enter campus that day.
- 1-hour window You have a 1-hour window before and after your stated arrival time. Once the window closes, your session expires and you will be denied entry.
- Real Gov ID required Must be on your person every visit. A passport is accepted for the remainder of this year.
- Attire Business Professional at all times on WH grounds.
- Foreign nationals Must be personally escorted by Kaitlyn when coming onto campus. Contact her before planning your visit.
- Questions Contact Kaitlyn Koller — kaitlyn@ndstudio.gov / (847) 702-1313 — for anything access-related.
HR & Benefits
Everything about your employment structure, benefits, and perks. NDS operates under unique arrangements within the federal government.
HR coordination: Alicia Chin coordinates HR for NDS. She works
part-time, so responses may take 1–2 business days. If something
is time-sensitive, escalate to Jaylee.
Employment Tracks
| Track | Duration | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 180-Day Contractor | Up to 180 days | Initial engagement period. Different paperwork and benefits eligibility than full-time. |
| Full-Time Conversion | Ongoing | After contractor period. Requires additional background clearance and new paperwork. |
| IPA Detail | Varies | Employees detailed from other agencies. Separate contract and benefits structure. |
FPO — Content Needed
Contractor vs. Full-Time Comparison Chart
Side-by-side comparison of benefits, timelines, paperwork, and conversion process.
Needs: Alicia to document employment track differences and conversion requirements.
Team Perks
Daily Meals
Lunch and dinner provided during fly-in weeks at the EEOB.
Housing Assistance
Available during DC fly-in weeks, if applicable.
Equipment
NDS-issued laptop with standard software suite.
Travel
Travel covered for monthly fly-in weeks in DC.
Payroll timing: You will not receive payment until
all required paperwork is complete and processed. Submit everything
on Day 1.
Government 101
Working inside the federal government comes with unique dynamics. Here's context that will help you navigate.
Where NDS Sits
- Parent initiative America by Design — a multi-agency effort to modernize government digital services.
- Physical home EEOB (Eisenhower Executive Office Building) — next to the White House on the WH campus.
- HR authority OPM (Office of Personnel Management) — handles fingerprints, background checks, drug tests.
- Operations White House Operations — controls campus access, badges, equipment.
Three Entities, One You
Your onboarding touches three separate organizations:
NDS (National Design Studio)
Your team. Handles tool access, team processes, projects, culture.
Contact: Ed, Jaylee, your manager
OPM
Federal HR. Background checks, fingerprints, drug tests, employment
verification.
Contact: Alicia Chin coordinates
White House Operations
Physical access, badges, campus logistics.
Contact: Kaitlyn coordinates
Useful Government Terms
- EEOB Eisenhower Executive Office Building — the historic building on WH campus where NDS is located.
- WAVES Workers and Visitors Entry System — Secret Service system for granting access to WH campus.
- IPA Intergovernmental Personnel Act — mechanism for detailing employees between agencies and private sector.
- OPM Office of Personnel Management — the federal government's HR agency.
- USSS United States Secret Service — manages all physical security for WH campus.
- Detail A temporary assignment of a federal employee to another agency or office.
- Real ID A compliant form of identification required for federal building access. Passport also accepted.
Questions about the government? Reach out to Kaitlyn Koller —
she is the go-to for all government-related questions.
White House Title Hierarchy
AP
Assistant to the President
Most Senior Commissioned Officers within the White House
CEO or COO equivalent
- The most prestigious White House title
- Reports directly to the President
- Relatively few of these positions exist across the entire administration
Examples: Susie Wiles, Stephen Miller, Dan Scavino
DAP
Deputy Assistant to the President
Senior Ranking — typically referred to as Directors
Senior Director / VP equivalent
- Reports directly to their respective AP
- Most often referred to as "Directors" within their office
- Normally 1–2 people per office
Examples: James Braid (OLA), Sam Adolphsen (DPC), Paige Wiley (NEC)
SAP
Special Assistant to the President
Prestigious — typically referred to as Deputy Directors
Director / Senior Manager equivalent
- Reports directly to the Deputy Assistant (and at times to APs)
- Most often referred to as "Deputy Directors" within their office
- Normally 3–8 people per office
Office of the Chief of Staff
Most Senior Office
Coordinates all White House operations and serves as the principal advisor to the President.
Chief of Staff
Most senior non-elected official in the White House
Susie Wiles AP and White House Chief of Staff
Deputy Chiefs of Staff
Senior leadership across functional areas
Dan Scavino Deputy Chief of Staff
Stephen Miller Policy and Homeland Security
James Blair Legislative, Political and Public Affairs
Nick Luna Strategic Implementation
Beau Harrison Operations
White House Czars
Senior policy leads with cross-agency authority
Tom Homan Border Czar
Doug Burgum Energy Czar
David O. Sacks A.I. & Crypto Czar
Alice Marie Johnson Pardon Czar
Senior Counselors & Advisors
Stanley E. Woodward Jr. Senior Counselor to the President
Peter Navarro Senior Counselor — Trade and Manufacturing
Massad Boulos Senior Advisor — Arab & Middle Eastern Affairs
Keith Kellogg Special Envoy — Ukraine and Russia
Robert Gabriel Jr. AP for Policy
Margo Martin SAP and Communications Advisor
Key Dates — 2026
Team Fly-In Weeks are mandatory in-person periods at the EEOB in Washington DC. Block these weeks on your calendar immediately.
Team Fly-In Week — in-person at EEOB, Washington DC
2026 Team Fly-In Weeks — Full Schedule
January Jan 5 – 9 Block Calendar
February Feb 2 – 6 Block Calendar
March Mar 2 – 6 Block Calendar
April Apr 6 – 10 Block Calendar
May May 4 – 8 Block Calendar
June Jun 1 – 5 Block Calendar
July Jul 13 – 17 Block Calendar
August Aug 3 – 7 Block Calendar
September Sep 14 – 18 Block Calendar
October Oct 5 – 9 Block Calendar
November Nov 2 – 6 Block Calendar
December Dec 7 – 11 Block Calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions every new hire asks.
My offer letter had errors. What do I do? ▼
Review your offer letter carefully (title, salary, start date). If anything is wrong, contact Alicia Chin at alicia@americabydesign.com immediately. Do not sign until corrections are made.
My email wasn't ready on Day 1. What should I do? ▼
Contact Kaitlyn immediately. Do NOT use your personal email or borrow someone else's account — this causes major problems later when tools like Linear and Figma get confused during email migrations.
How long will my badge take? ▼
Expect 3+ months minimum. Submit your WAVES access request on Day 1, begin the badge application immediately, and follow up with Kaitlyn weekly.
Can I access the EEOB on weekends or evenings? ▼
Yes, but you must have an escort regardless of whether you're on the access list. Plan EEOB time during business hours whenever possible.
When will I get paid? ▼
Payroll does not begin until all required paperwork is submitted and processed. Complete everything on Day 1 to avoid delays. If you experience payment issues, contact Alicia Chin first, then escalate to Jaylee.
What's the difference between a 180-day contractor and full-time? ▼
Most new hires start as 180-day contractors with different paperwork and benefits eligibility. After 180 days, you may be eligible for full-time conversion with additional clearance steps. See the HR & Benefits tab.
I need tool access but Ed isn't responding. What do I do? ▼
Escalate to Jaylee Adams via message or email. See the escalation path in the Tech Stack tab.
I'm a visa holder. Is my process different? ▼
Yes — contact Kaitlyn and Jaylee early. Foreign nationals must be personally escorted by Kaitlyn on WH campus.
What should I wear to the EEOB? ▼
Business professional at all times on White House grounds. This is a Secret Service requirement.
FPO — Content Needed
Additional FAQ Entries
Collect more FAQs from recent hires after their first 30 days.
Needs: Survey recent hires for most common unanswered questions.