Ann Bargains - Chief

Mission Statement To facilitate the promotion of equality of opportunity within MVD commensurate with Division's commitment to each individual's inalienable right to be treated fairly, with dignity and with respect.

What we do

The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) offices process complaints of discrimination brought by individuals who believe that they have been discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical, or mental disability, age and in reprisal.

The EEO Office is also responsible for management of all federally recognized Special Emphasis Programs, as well as the Affirmative Employment Program (AEP); and conducting EEO and related training to include POSH and CO2.

EEO officers, managers, and staff serve as advisors, mentors, counselors, mediators, and trainers/instructors; serve on selection panels to ensure compliance with the Command's recruitment, selection and hiring policies; serves on a team with Human Resources and the Office of Council to provide appropriate guidance to District Commands in EEO and other Human Resources matters that impact employees; monitor agency affirmative employment practices; and assist in the development of agency employment plans.

Highlights of the EEO Process

• Any employee or applicant for employment who believes (s)he has been discriminated against because of their race, color, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, age or reprisal may contact the EEO office within 45 calendar days of the incident that gave rise to the alleged discriminatory act.
• A counselor will be assigned to make inquiries into the allegations of discrimination.
• The assigned counselor will provide the aggrieved individual with a notice of rights and responsibilities, including the right to anonymity during the pre-complaint process and the right to chose between counseling or the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) program.
• If matter is not resolved during the pre-complaint stage, the aggrieved will be issued a notice of right to file a formal complaint.

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?

• ADR is a term used to describe a variety of methods to resolving conflict/disputes in a collaborative framework with a neutral third party. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has elected to use mediation as the ADR method to be used to resolve employment related disputes.

• Mediation is the intervention of a neutral, impartial third party into the dispute. The Mediator serves as a facilitator for assisting the disputing parties in working toward an agreeable resolution of the dispute. The Mediator has no decision-making authority and will not direct the parties how to settle the dispute.

• Participation in mediation is voluntary for the aggrieved/complainant and management is encouraged to participate.

• The aggrieved/complainant may request mediation at any time during the complaints process.

Why Mediate?

• Allows parties to resolve disputes themselves.

• Encourages open communication.

• Cost and time effective.

• Utilizes a neutral third party to assist parties in resolving the dispute.

• Improves working relationships.

For further information, contact your District EEO office.

District EEO Managers:

 Programs:

Black Employment Program

Martin Luther King Day - Observed in January

Black History Month - Observed during February

Women's History Month - Observed during March

Disability Awareness Month - Observed during April

Federal Women's Program

Asian American/Pacific Islander Program

Hispanic Employment Program

Hispanice Heritage Month - Observed during October

American Indian/Alaskan Native Program

Related Links:

Commander's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

Commander's Sexual Harassment Policy Letter

Policy on Programs for Individuals with Disabilities

Sexual Harassment Reporting Procedures

Handbook for Supervisors*

* PDF format