Iowa NRCS Federal Women’s Program

Iowa NRCS Federal Women’s Program Christine Taliga Coordinator

Iowa NRCS Federal Women’s Program USDA NRCS Mission … • Helping People Help the Land Iowa NRCS Mission … Helping Iowans conserve natural resources through technical and financial assistance

FEDERAL WOMEN’S PROGRAM Our Goals for today… • An Overview of FWP- history- FWP we have a lot to celebrate we have come a long way • Iowa FWP today, how does the FWP impact you, and why is it important • Fun facts

FWP The FWP's primary focus is to address the employment needs (e.g., recruitment, training/educational, retention, upward mobility, career counseling, mentoring, developmental details, promotion, equity in pay, etc.) and barriers (e.g., sex discrimination, sexual harassment, equal pay, hostile work environment, gender disparity and stereotyping, sexism, etc.) of women as they relate to Federal employment policies, practices, and related initiatives.

An Overview of FWP- The FWP was established in 1963 to implement the recommendations of President John F. Kennedy's Commission on the Status of Women. The commission, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, looked into problems that women encountered in employment in the Federal Government. In 1969, Executive Order (E.O.) 11478 was issued. The E.O. stated that Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) was required to be an integral part of every aspect of the Federal Government's personnel policy. In addition, E.O. 11478 brought the FWP into the overall EEO Program and placed it under the stewardship of the Director of EEO. Federal agencies were required to establish and maintain affirmative EEO programs. The EEO Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-261) enforced the provisions of E.O. 11478 and authorized the former Civil Service Commission to take appropriate action against agencies not in compliance. The EEO Act also assigned primary responsibility for EEO programs, including the Federal Women's Program, to "every manager and supervisor in the agency." The regulatory basis for the FWP can be found 29 CFR 1614.102(b)(3).

Historical Facts Looking back …. Iowa SCS Affirmative Employment Plan FY 87 Iowa SCS 87 Civilian Labor Force 35% Professional 5% 9% Technical 52%

Iowa FWP today PATCO Report as of3/15/2008 Iowa NRCS 08 Civilian Labor Force Professional 37% 26.1 % 35.2% Technical 54% Total employees across all grades in 2008 were 452 of which 148 or 32.7% were women

Iowa FWP today Supporting women in Iowa and NRCS Leadership by providing resources, information and opportunities through communication and participation. Our Mission… Our Vision… An environment of open minds that results in open doors of equal opportunity and support for women in Iowa

Iowa FWP today Our Charter…

Iowa FWP today Facilitated Networking Sessions… over 130 individuals participated Resources on our website such as “How to Write Effective KSA’s on our website Communicating facts and current issues

Iowa FWP today 2006 IA NRCS Workforce

Iowa FWP today 2007 IA NRCS Workforce 2008 IA NRCS Workforce

Iowa FWP today The number of female DC’s by Area Taken from the published employee directory

Iowa FWP How this Impacts You USDA NRCS Mission … • Helping People Help the Land Iowa NRCS Mission … Helping Iowans conserve natural resources through technical and financial assistance

Iowa FWP How this Impacts You Feedback from our Customers (Women Land and Legacy) … General Demographic CharacteristicsSex and age (2006)1Male: 49.3% Female: 50.7% 1 U.S. Census Bureau Statistics

Iowa FWP How this Impacts You Support and positive feedback from our customers … Translates to … Positive feedback regarding our programs and services to our congressional delegations … Translates to … Support in Budget for programs and technical services …

Iowa FWP Fun facts Who was the first female technician in Iowa?

Iowa FWP Fun facts

Iowa FWP Fun facts Who started out as a female technician in Iowa and is now a state conservationist?

Iowa FWP Fun facts Who was the first female District Conservationist in Iowa?

Iowa FWP Fun facts Debra Harmsen, DC in DeWitt

Iowa FWP Fun facts Who was the first female civil engineer in Iowa?

Iowa FWP Fun facts Who was the first female assistant for field office operations in Iowa? Kathy Pielsticker Who was the first female watershed Project Coordinator for IDALS? Amy Bouska Who was the first female state agronomist? Barbara Steward

Iowa NRCS Federal Women’s Program USDA NRCS Mission … • Helping People Help the Land Iowa NRCS Mission … Helping Iowans conserve natural resources through technical and financial assistance

Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development Thank You • Questions

Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all Its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. United States Department of AgricultureNatural Resources Conservation Service

Iowa NRCS Federal Women’s Program