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Civil Rights

Civil Rights Program for employees, customers and applicants in New Jersey NRCSJustice For All Poster

In New Jersey, the Natural Resources Conservation Service staff work closely with USDA Service Center partners, Farm Service Agency and Rural Development, to provide equitable service to all customers and potential customers, and to provide equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees.

Thomas Drewes, State Conservationist, is the Deputy Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer. He can be reached at (732) 537-6040.

Christina Turner, State Administrative Officer, is the Civil Rights/EEO Liaison Officer NRCS. She can be reached at (732) 537-6081.

Civil Rights Advisory Committee

Committee members-at-large (Sharif Branham, Evan Madlinger and Michelle Pedano) and the Special Emphasis Program Managers help ensure that Federal agencies institute, plan, and take affirmative steps to provide equal opportunity to women and minority applicants and employees in all areas of employment (recruitment, hiring, training, promotions, and awards); and provide a means for women and minorities to communicate their concerns to management.

Special Emphasis Program Managers

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Adobe Acrobat DocumentBylaws of the NJ NRCS Civil Rights Advisory Committee (28 kb)

Fiscal Year 2008 Meetings Scheduled 

All employees are welcome, with supervisor's permission. Contact Ron Taylor for more details.

  • December 12, 2007 - 9:30 a.m. - Somerset State Office NJ
  • March 19, 2008 - 9:30 a.m. - Columbus Service Center
  • June 11, 2008 -  10:00 a.m. - Hackettstown Service Center
  • September 10, 2008 - 9:30 a.m. - Freehold Service Center
  • December 10, 2008 - 9:30 a.m. - Somerset State Office

Other Links

Applicants for USDA Service

Agency employees are trained to follow program rules and regulations, and they work hard to do just that. When an employee makes a decision on your request for USDA services or application, you will receive a letter that will inform you of this decision and your choices if you disagree. If you believe that the decision was based on discrimination or retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint. In this case, you may request a Program Discrimination Complaint form and information sheet (available at USDA Service Centers) or write a letter of complaint to the USDA Office of Civil Rights (see below).

Non-Discrimination Statement

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 a 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).

To file a complaint of discrimination write to 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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Adobe Acrobat DocumentAnd Justice For All Poster (April 2006) (2.2 mb)

Environmental Justice

Executive Order 12898 on Environmental 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.

Employees

If you need a Civil Rights/EEO counselor, contact the USDA Office of Civil Rights Informal EEO Counseling Program. Employee EEO complaints should be directed to NRCS Civil Rights Division (732) 537-6081.

Civil Rights Award

All employees are eligible for the Civil Rights Advisory Committee's Award. Winners are also eligible to be nominated for the National Civil Rights Award.

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Microsoft Word DocumentCivil Rights Award Nomination Form (1.4 mb) Please complete the form and return to the Chair of the Civil Rights Advisory Committee.

 

ShayMaria Silvestri receiving award from Edwin MunizShayMaria Silvestri, recipient of the 2005 Civil Rights Award in New Jersey, is the NJ NRCS American Indian / Alaska Native Emphasis Program Manager. ShayMaria's primary position is GIS Specialist. She also works with NRCS NJ Cultural Resources and the National Resource Inventory (NRI).

ShayMaria received this award because of her extra efforts in learning sign language as she works toward becoming certified as an Interpreter for American Sign Language (ASL). It is her goal to be able to interpret for public events sponsored by NRCS as well as interpret at meetings for our own employees who are hearing impaired. 

ShayMaria is shown at left receiving the plaque from Edwin Muņiz, Chair of the Civil Rights Advisory Committee and past winner of the award. Other past recipients of this annual award are Garry Lee, Nancy Paolini, and Christina Turner.

Last Modified: April 02, 2008