Indiana Civil Rights

Equal opportunity is the law of the land that applies to employment activities in both the Federal and private sectors. It is fair to say that EEO and civil rights began with the Constitution and Bill of Rights; however, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights did not mention employment discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 had the greatest impact on employment by providing protection and enforcement under the law against discrimination.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal for any employer to deny anyone a job because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Title VII also prohibited discrimination in firing, promoting, training, salary, and all other privileges of employment. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 also established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC was given the responsibility to investigate EEO complaints and to attempt to resolve those complaints through conciliation and mediation.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that no person in the United States shall, on the "grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Executive Order 12898 on Environment Justice, issued in February of 1994, provides direction to all federal agencies to incorporate Environmental Justice concerns into our existing programs.  Environmental Justice is a mandate to change or make the difference in the lives of those who could be or have been adversely impacted by environmental effects resulting from government actions.  All populations, including minority and low-income, are provided the opportunity to comment before decisions are made on government programs and activities affecting human health or the environment.  These groups are provided the opportunity to share in the benefits of, and be or not be excluded from, and not affected in a disproportionately high and adverse manner, by these programs and activities.  NRCS is committed to incorporating Environmental Justice considerations into all programs and activities.

For more information about environmental justice, please contact Jill Reinhart, Assistant State Conservationist for Farm Bill Programs

The Indiana NRCS Civil Rights Committee is responsible for assisting and advising the State Conservationist  in the development and operation of the EEO Program. The committee will solicit from supervisors and employees suggestions on all phases of the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program and make recommendations to the State Conservationist. The Committee provides feedback on the progress of the EEO program and advises the State Conservationist on the development and implementation of the Affirmative Employment Plan of Operations (AEP) and progress reports, and identifies emerging program areas needing attention. The Committee serves as a vehicle to develop and promote the EEO program among all employees.

        Indiana Civil Rights Committee Members

        Indiana Civil Rights Committee Poster (PDF; 252 KB)

Please click on the links below to find more information about NRCS' commitment to Civil Rights

        How do I file an EEO complaint?   

        NRCS Civil Rights Office

        Required Civil Rights Postings

        Sexual Harassment Statement  (PDF; 239 KB)

        USDA Civil Rights Office

Special emphasis activities and support are an integral part of the civil rights program at the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Within their respective programs, special emphasis program managers assist the State Conservationist, to ensure that equal opportunity is present in all aspects of NRCS programs and services. This includes assisting the State Conservationist to provide leadership to identify under representation and ensure positive actions are being taken to address any such problem areas. Special emphasis program managers assist the State Conservationist to provide advice and assistance to management officials in order to help them meet civil rights program goals and objectives. They also assist the State Conservationist to ensure effective communications among all persons and areas dealing with, or affected by, agency civil rights responsibilities.

American Indian/Alaska Native Emphasis Program

Program Manager - Kelley Barkell

The American Indian/Alaska Native Special Emphasis Program seeks to: support the unique role of American Indians and Alaska Natives within the federal government system

For more information, please visit Indiana's American Indian/Alaska Native Program website

Asian American/Pacific Islander Emphasis Program

Program Manager -Akhtar Soomro

The Asian American/Pacific Islander Emphasis Program works toward enhancing equal access to all employment opportunities for Asian Pacific American employees within NRCS.

For more information, please visit Indiana's Asian American/Pacific Islander Program website

Black Emphasis Program

Program Manager - Daniel Phillips

The Black Emphasis Program was developed to provide focus on issues of employment, promotion, training, retention and career enhancement affecting Black employees and applicants in NRCS in Indiana.

For more information, please visit Indiana's Black Emphasis Program website

Disability Program

Program Manager - Evan Smith

The objective of the Disability Emphasis Program is to insure that qualified persons with disabilities receive equal treatment in all aspects of employment, promotion, training and career enhancement.

For more information, please visit Indiana's Disability Program website

Federal Women's Emphasis Program

Program Manager - Brianne Lowe

The Federal Women's Program Manager puts special emphasis on improving employment and career opportunities for women in government service, increasing respect for the work of women at all grade levels, eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace, and addressing current issues of importance

For more information, please visit Indiana's Federal Women's Program website

 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Emphasis Program

Program Manager - Tandy Easler

The  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Emphasis Program was developed to provide focus for Indiana State Conservationist and the Leadership team on issues relevant to employment, promotion, training, retention, and career enhancement affecting Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) employees and applicants.  As well as ensuring that equal opportunity is present in all aspects of NRCS programs, services, and employment.

For more information, please visit Indiana's LGBT Program website

Hispanic Emphasis Program

Program Manager - Lindsay Martinez

The goals of the program are to address and work towards the correction of any under representation of Hispanics employees in the NRCS workforce, improve awareness and understanding Hispanic Cultures, and work to improve program delivery to Hispanic groups, individuals and communities.

For more information, please visit Indiana's Hispanic Emphasis Program website

 

Veteran's Program

Program Manager - Evan Smith

The Veterans Emphasis Program (VEP) is designed to provide focus on issues such as employment, promotion, training, and career enhancement affecting veteran employees in NRCS. VEP also provides a network of professional support for veterans in NRCS, provides information to all employees, and keeps employees informed of issues affecting veterans. 

For more information, please visit Indiana's Veteran's Program website