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Washington NRCS Civil Rights Advisory Committee

Updated 01/26/2011
 

Image of "Justice for All" poster

The Washington State Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Civil Rights Advisory Committee (CRAC) is made up of 10 members and 2 advisors.  There are 6 Special Emphasis Program Managers, 3 Area Representatives, and a State Office Representative.

The committee provides employees with a vehicle to enhance and carry out their civil rights program responsibilities.  

The committee meets at least once per quarter, and we welcome your questions, comments and ideas, and hope you will take the opportunity to get to know your area representative and program managers.

You should also consider applying to be part of this dynamic team as vacancies open up on the Civil Rights Advisory Committee; these openings are usually solicited in the late summer or fall.


Vision Statement

A quality workforce providing natural resource stewardship through quality customer service.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Washington State Civil Rights Advisory Committee (CRAC) is to advise, assist, and apprise leadership in all matters related to civil rights in order to effect enhancement, edification, and expansion of affirmative employment and program delivery.
 

WA NRCS CRAC members

The committee serves the following functions: 
  • Identifying and bringing to the attention management trends, problems, issues, or concerns within the civil rights arena.
  • Monitoring program delivery practices and making recommendations for ensuring that underrepresented groups are made aware of agency products and services.
  • Focusing the attention of management on specific personnel practices or problems of a civil rights nature which produce or may produce dissension and dissatisfaction among employees.
  • Monitoring the policies and overall effectiveness of the Affirmative Employment and Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment programs with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention.
  • Acting as a forum for exchange of ideas and action proposals on sensitive issues, matters, or concerns of a civil rights nature.
  • Promoting and communicating the efforts of management to achieve and operate a realistic and ongoing civil rights program.

 

These documents may require  Adobe Acrobat , Microsoft Excel , or Microsoft Word.

Employee Information

WA Civil Rights Advisory Committee (CRAC) members
Special Emphasis Program Managers functions
Suggested Activities to increase awareness of Civil Rights / EEO
Suggested ideas to address performance elements
EEO Complaint Process

NRCS Civil Rights Policy
Special Emphasis Programs    
NRCS EEO Policy    
Prohibited Personnel Practices    
Whistleblower Protection Act  (PDF;  17KB)  
Antidiscrimination Laws   (PDF;  17KB) 
Disability Program  
Non-Discrimination Statement  
Reasonable Accommodation  (PDF;  73KB)
Sexual Harassment: What is it?  
A Field Office Guide to a Successful Civil Rights Compliance   (PDF;  120KB) 

 

Calendar of Special Emphasis Observances

February Black History Month
March Women's History Month 
May Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
September September 15th – October 15th: Hispanic Heritage Month
October Disability Awareness Month
November American Indian Alaskan Native Heritage Month


FY 2011  Meeting Schedules

All employees are welcome, with supervisor’s permission. Contact the Chair for more details.
Please feel free to send question(s)/issue(s) to committee members. 

  • November 2nd to 4th - Spokane SO
  • February 9th to 10th - Spokane SO
  • 3rd Quarter  - TBD
  • 4th Quarter - TBD

 

Important Links: 

Required office posters
NRCS Civil Rights Policy Statement     (PDF;  28KB)
NRCS Anti-Harassment Policy Statement     (PDF;  39KB)
Secretary of Agriculture Civil Rights Policy Statement    (PDF;  69KB)

National Links:

National NRCS Civil Rights Division
Professional and Employee organizations 
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OGC)
USDA non-discrimination statement
Sexual Harassment: What is it?  

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age,  disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, Large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

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