Civil Rights

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Titles VI and VII) requires all programs and employment practices to be administered without regard to race, color, sex, national origin and religion. Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibit employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the Federal sector. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has made great strides over the past years in the areas of equal employment and program outreach.

What is Civil Rights?

It is the law of the land. It is the right that all people are protected from discrimination in employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or mental or physical disability.

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Civil Rights and EEO

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."

EEO is a right, not a privilege in employment, development, and advancement.

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Training Presentations

• Civil Rights Compliance Reviews (110 kb)
• National Civil Rights Committee Training (154 kb)
• Sexual Harassment (189 kb)
• Title VII Complaints (64 kb)
• SEPM Short Presentation (426 kb)
• Recruitment (11.6 mb)

Special Emphasis Programs

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.

NRCS-Ohio has the following special emphasis program managers (SEPM):

• American Indian/Alaska Native American Emphasis Program Manager- Anna Whitebird Perales
• Asian American/Pacific Islander Emphasis Program Manager- Vic Vue
• Federal Women's Emphasis Program Manager- Dee Waters
• Black Emphasis Program Manager- John Williams
• Disability Emphasis Program Manager- Tom Sewell
• Hispanic Emphasis Program Manager- Rocemi Morales
• Disabled Veterans Emphasis Program Manager- Jim Maple

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720- 2791.

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Resources

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel.

Non-discrimination Statement text - September, 2007.
Required Posters for Ohio
Building Site Accessibility
Program Delivery Complaint Process
Civil Rights files

Obtain more information on Civil Rights at the National NRCS web site.

USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.

Resource Contacts:

Civil Rights Liaison:

Randy Jordan, Asst. State Conservationist, Field Operations
EEO/Civil Rights Liaison
3983 Northpointe Drive, Suite 2
Zanesville, OH 43701
Tel.: (740) 452-8618 ext. 111