Onix Tarrats Calderón Joins VFS Team: Onboarding Guide

We are thrilled to welcome Onix Tarrats Calderón to the VFS team! This comprehensive guide outlines the onboarding process for new team members, ensuring a smooth transition and a successful start. In this article, we will cover everything from initial setup and access requests to essential tasks and introductions. This onboarding process is crucial for integrating new members into the team and familiarizing them with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ecosystem. Let's dive into the details and learn how to effectively welcome and onboard new VFS team members like Onix.

Introduction of Onix Tarrats Calderón

Meet Onix Tarrats Calderón

We are excited to introduce Onix Tarrats Calderón, who joins us as a Senior Full-Stack Engineer. Onix brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the team, and we are eager to see the contributions they will make. A successful new team member introduction is essential for fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment. Onix's role as a Senior Full-Stack Engineer will be vital to our team's objectives, and this onboarding process is designed to ensure they have all the resources and support needed to succeed. Understanding the background and role of a new team member helps the existing team members connect and collaborate effectively.

Pronouns and Contact Information

While Onix has not specified preferred pronouns, it is always a good practice to be mindful of and respect individual preferences. Onix can be reached via email at onix.tarrats-calderon@va.gov. Their GitHub handle is tarratsco. Effective communication is a cornerstone of teamwork, and having the correct contact information ensures seamless interaction. Knowing how to reach out to new team members for collaboration or assistance is crucial for maintaining productivity and team cohesion. This initial introduction helps to bridge the gap and encourages open lines of communication.

Start Date and VFS Team

Onix officially started on November 17, 2025, and is a member of the Va BIO team. Starting on the right foot is essential, and this onboarding process helps ensure a smooth transition. Understanding the start date allows the team to contextualize the new member's journey and provide support accordingly. Being part of the Va BIO team, Onix will be working on crucial projects related to veteran information and benefits. The team integration process is designed to make new members feel welcome and part of the team from day one.

Essential Onboarding Tasks

The onboarding process includes a series of essential tasks designed to familiarize Onix with the VA environment and tools. These tasks range from updating profiles and requesting access to tools to completing educational modules. Ensuring these tasks are completed promptly helps in the efficient integration of the new team member onboarding. Let's explore these tasks in detail to understand their importance and how they contribute to a successful onboarding experience.

General Tasks for All Team Members

Several tasks are crucial for all new VFS team members, including Onix. These steps ensure that everyone is set up correctly and can access the necessary resources. These onboarding steps are standardized to provide a consistent experience for all new hires. Let's break down each of these tasks:

Updating Slack Profile

Updating the Slack profile is a fundamental step in ensuring seamless communication within the team. A complete Slack profile includes a profile picture, name, and role, making it easier for team members to identify and interact with each other. Effective team communication tools like Slack are essential for day-to-day collaboration and quick updates. A well-maintained profile facilitates quicker and more effective communication, reducing confusion and enhancing team dynamics. This small step can significantly improve the overall communication flow within the team.

Requesting Access to Tools

Accessing the necessary tools is crucial for any new team member to perform their role effectively. The VA has a range of tools and systems, and requesting access early on ensures that Onix can start contributing without delays. The access request process is streamlined to ensure new members can quickly gain the permissions they need. This includes access to project management software, coding platforms, and other essential resources. Timely access to these tools is crucial for maintaining productivity and ensuring that Onix can start contributing to the team's objectives immediately.

Confirming Access to the VA GitHub Organization

GitHub is a central platform for code management and collaboration within the VA. Confirming access to the VA GitHub Organization is essential for any engineer. The GitHub access confirmation ensures that Onix can contribute to projects, review code, and collaborate with other engineers effectively. GitHub access is not just about coding; it's also about being part of the collaborative process and contributing to the team's collective knowledge. Without access, Onix would be unable to participate fully in the engineering tasks and collaborate on projects effectively.

Opting Out of Google Analytics

Protecting user privacy is a top priority for the VA. New team members are required to opt out of Google Analytics on all their devices to ensure compliance with privacy regulations. The privacy compliance process is a critical step in safeguarding veteran data and maintaining trust. Opting out of Google Analytics helps ensure that personal browsing data is not tracked, aligning with the VA's commitment to privacy. This task underscores the importance of ethical considerations in the digital realm and the VA's dedication to protecting user information.

Considering Veteran Status for Product Testing

Veterans bring unique insights and perspectives to product testing. If Onix is a Veteran, adding their name to the list of Veterans willing to help with product testing can be invaluable. Veteran involvement in product testing ensures that the VA's digital products are user-friendly and meet the needs of Veterans. This step highlights the importance of user feedback in the development process and the unique contributions that Veterans can make. By participating in product testing, Veterans can help shape the digital tools that serve their community.

Completing Educational Tasks

The VA has a range of educational resources to help new team members get up to speed. Completing these educational tasks is crucial for understanding the VA's systems, processes, and culture. Educational resources for onboarding are designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the VA and its mission. These tasks may include training modules, documentation reviews, and introductions to key stakeholders. By completing these tasks, Onix will gain a solid foundation for success within the VA and a deeper understanding of the organization's goals.

Tasks for Front-end and Back-end Engineers

For engineers like Onix, there are specific tasks related to accessing and using the VA's technical infrastructure. These tasks ensure that engineers can effectively contribute to the development and maintenance of VA applications. The technical onboarding tasks are tailored to the specific needs of engineers and developers. Let's explore these tasks in more detail:

Confirming Login as a Test User

Being able to log in as a test user is essential for engineers to test code and ensure that applications function correctly. This step helps in the testing environment setup and ensures that engineers can replicate user experiences and identify potential issues. Access to test user accounts allows engineers to perform thorough testing without impacting live user data. This is a crucial step in the software development lifecycle, ensuring the quality and reliability of VA applications.

Tasks for Product Managers & Delivery Managers

While Onix is an engineer, understanding the tasks for Product Managers (PMs) and Delivery Managers provides context on the broader team dynamics. These roles play a crucial part in the product development process. The cross-functional team onboarding approach helps team members understand the roles and responsibilities of their colleagues. Let's explore these tasks:

Scheduling a PM Intro with Shira Goodman

Product Managers play a crucial role in guiding the development of VA products. Scheduling an introductory meeting with Shira Goodman, the Platform Governance Team PM, helps new team members understand the product vision and strategy. Product vision alignment is crucial for ensuring that all team members are working towards the same goals. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss product roadmaps, priorities, and how Onix's role fits into the broader product strategy.

Completing the New VFS Team Ticket (If Applicable)

If Onix is joining a new team, completing the New VFS Team ticket is essential for setting up the team's infrastructure and processes. This ticket ensures that all necessary resources are provisioned and that the team is aligned on its goals. Team setup procedures are vital for ensuring that new teams can operate effectively from the outset. This includes setting up communication channels, project management tools, and defining team roles and responsibilities. If Onix is joining an existing team, this step can be skipped.

Tasks for Platform

Certain tasks are the responsibility of the Platform team to ensure that new VFS team members are properly integrated into the VA ecosystem. These tasks include adding the new member to relevant rosters and GitHub teams. The platform support for onboarding is crucial for ensuring that new members have the necessary access and visibility within the VA. Let's look at these tasks:

Adding to the VFS Team Roster in Atlas

Atlas is the VA's internal directory, and adding Onix to the VFS Team Roster ensures that they are visible within the organization. This step helps in internal visibility and networking, allowing other teams and individuals to easily find and connect with Onix. The Atlas directory is a valuable resource for understanding the organizational structure and identifying subject matter experts within the VA.

Adding to the vets.gov-write GitHub Team

Being added to the vets.gov-write GitHub team provides Onix with the necessary permissions to contribute to the codebase. This step is crucial for code contribution permissions and ensures that Onix can participate in the development process. Access to the GitHub team allows Onix to collaborate with other engineers, review code, and contribute to the VA's digital products.

Conclusion

Onboarding new team members like Onix Tarrats Calderón effectively is crucial for ensuring their success and the overall productivity of the VFS team. By completing these tasks and providing a supportive environment, we can help Onix integrate seamlessly and contribute their expertise to our mission. A well-structured onboarding process benefits both the new team member and the organization. We are excited to have Onix on board and look forward to the contributions they will make.

For more information on VA onboarding processes and resources, please visit the VA Onboarding Guide.