Joseph E. Hairston, Director, Civil Rights Division

Updated 09/25/2007

Joseph E. Hairston was named Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Civil Rights Division in November 2006.

The NRCS Civil Rights Division is committed to providing, promoting, and maintaining equal employment opportunity for employees, applicants for employment, and customers. The Civil Rights Division develops policies and procedures based on EEO laws and regulations. The Civil Rights Division assists the Agency in being proactive in the development of a diverse work force.

Mr. Hairston is the agency's key resource for all EEO matters ranging from affirmative employment to overseeing the agency's EEO compliance process.

He has over 15 years’ Federal experience managing Civil Rights, EEO and Employee Relations programs. Over 12 years’ specialized background with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in increasingly responsible positions culminating with Acting Director and Deputy Director of Civil Rights Staff of USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

Mr. Hairston is a graduate of University of Maryland at College Park.