Civil Rights and Environmental Justice
The Office for Civil Rights, Enforcement & Environmental Justice seeks to ensure that all people are protected from significant risks to human health and the environment; that federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively; and that EPA employees work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment. The work includes building upon and learning from efforts that led to the formation of the Office and moving forward with new, innovative, progressive approaches which will meet today's demands as well as anticipated future needs. To do this, the Office positions itself so that Region 10 incorporates civil rights and environmental justice principles into environmental protection objectives.
The Office is responsible for programs related to the civil rights of job applicants and employees, fairness in grants and contracts, and efforts to ensure that low income and people of color communities receive equitable protection under environmental laws. Office responsibilty areas include:
- Diversity, including 1. Diversity Education which provides educational programs to promote an understanding of and appreciation for the value of diversity in the workplace, and 2. The Diversity Action Plan which addresses recruitment, hiring, promotions, awards, assignments, training and organizational culture.
- Environmental Justice (EJ), including work to make EJ an integral part of the day-to-day activities of EPA employees, and the work of other federal, state and local governments. The Office is a focal point to ensure that EJ target communities receive fair protection under environmental laws and have increased access to EPA.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), including actions to prevent discrimination from occurring, timely resolution of complaints of discrimination, affirmative employment and the Employee Resource Programs