Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Employment Fact Sheet

The Department of Agriculture's Civil Rights Policy

• No person shall be discriminated on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department.
• To reach out in proactive ways to persons who have not participated equally in its programs and activities in the past.
• Not to participate in any public meeting in which persons are illegally discriminated against.
• To use positive examples of employment and program participation by minorities, women and other protected groups.

Definitions

EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity). Under EEO law, only job related factors can be used to determine if an individual is qualified for a particular job. As a result, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was created.

Title VII (of the Civil Rights Act of 1964). Ensures nondiscrimination in employment on the basis of color, race, religion, sex, national origin, or reprisal for previous EEO activity. This title, as amended, established the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) to enforce law.

Discrimination. The word is often used to mean illegal discriminatory acts. It simply means noticing the differences between things or people that are otherwise alike; and making decisions based on those differences. We discriminate when we buy one product over another, when we choose our friends, and when we make personnel decisions based on merit related factors. All these forms of discrimination are legal and necessary.

Civil Rights. The nonpolitical rights of a citizen; especially, the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments of the Constitution and by acts of Congress.

Title VI (of the Civil Rights Act of 1964). Ensures nondiscrimination in the delivery of any program, service, or activity funded by the Federal government.

Civil Rights Committee

The Civil Rights Committee serves as an advisory body to the State Conservationist to promote and assist with the NRCS’s Civil Rights program implementation. Helps ensure equality for all employees, customers and partners.

Montana Civil Rights Advisory Committee Members

Special Emphasis Programs

Refers to those programs which focus special attention on certain specific groups as a result of a particular law, regulation, and/or Executive Order. Special Emphasis Program Managers (SEPMs) are also members of the Montana Civil Rights Committee.

The Special Emphasis Programs are:

• American Indian/Alaskan Native Special Emphasis Program
• Asian American/Pacific Islander Special Emphasis Program
• Black Special Emphasis Program
• Disabled/Veteran Special Emphasis Program
• Federal Women's Special Emphasis Program
• Hispanic Special Emphasis Program

What to Do If You Need to File an Equal Employment Opportunity Discrimination Complaint

You must first contact an EEO Counselor within 45 days of the alleged discriminatory incident or of reasonably learning of the possible discriminatory nature of the incident. The EEO Counselor has 30 days to resolve the issue informally. If the matter has not been resolved, the aggrieved person shall be informed in writing by the counselor of the right to file a formal discrimination complaint.

To speak with an EEO Counselor contact:

What to Do If You Need to File a Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint

A complaint may be filed directly with the USDA Office of Civil Rights, or with the local NRCS office. It must be filed verbally or in writing within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory incident. If it is filed with the local office, the complaint will be forwarded to the USDA Office of Civil Rights (if not resolved) within one business day. In turn, they will forward it to the Director of the NRCS Civil Rights Compliance Division. The Director coordinates with the State Conservationist to prepare a response. NRCS has 24 days to respond to or resolve the complaint.

Call or write to file with the Office of Civil Rights:

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Last Modified: 10/01/2007