NRCS Special Emphasis Programs

Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) are an integral part of Natural Resources Conservation Service's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program. Major factors considered in establishing a SEP include the extent of under-representation and availability of the targeted civilian labor force. SEPs have been initiated to address the employment-related concerns of groups not specifically included in other programs where a need for special emphasis or employment concerns of such programs has been demonstrated.

Program	Program Manager	Photo	Contact Information	Program Description
Employee Development Committee (ED)	Chris Knudsen, Human Resources Manager, Des Moines		Email: chris.knudsen@ia.usda.gov Phone: (515) 284-4587	This program is designed to assist the State Conservationist in identifying training needs and assisting in the development of training to meet those needs.
Federal Women's Program (FWP)	Christine Taliga, RC&D Coordinator, Iowa Valley RC&D, Williamsburg	Coming Soon	E-mail: christine.taliga@ia.usda.gov Phone: (319) 622-3264	This program is designed to create advancement opportunities throughout all occupational levels and all disciplines, to encourage the participation of women in all NRCS sponsored programs and activities, and to assure that female clients receive fair and equitable services.
Hispanic Emphasis Program (HEP)	Roberto Mier, District Conservationist, Grundy Center		E-mail: robert.mier@ia.usda.gov Phone: (319) 824-3634	This program is designed to assure consideration of the needs and problems of persons of Hispanic origin in all aspects of Federal personnel management. Hispanics are persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.
Disability/Veterans Employment Program (DEP)	Teresa Breuer-Lauterbach, Secretary (OA), Des Moines		E-mail: teresa.lauterbach@ia.usda.gov Phone: (515) 323-2616	This program contains organized action plans and procedures which promote the hiring, placement, and advancement of employees with disabilities.
Native American Emphasis Program (NAEP)	Tanya Meyer-Dideriksen, Outreach Coordinator, Williamsburg		E-mail: tanya.meyer@ia.usda.gov Phone: (319) 668-8110	This program is designed to ensure that equal emphasis opportunities are provided for Native Americans in all personnel management policies and activities.
Asian American/Pacific Islander Emphasis Program	Linda Wells, Administrative Assistant, Des Moines		E-mail: linda.wells@ia.usda.gov Phone: (515) 284-4506	This program focuses on enhancing employment opportunities for the Asian Pacific Islander community. Program objectives include encouraging the participation of Asian Pacific Islanders in all NRCS-sponsored programs and activities and providing a network of professional support for Asian Pacific Islanders, in NRCS.
Black Emphasis Program (BEP)	Shaffer Ridgeway, District Conservationist, Waterloo		E-mail: shaffer.ridgeway@ia.usda.gov Phone: (319) 296-3262	This program is designed to ensure that the Black community receives equal treatment in all aspects of employment. The BEP seeks placement of Blacks, to ensure equal opportunity for advancement in accordance with their abilities, providing the opportunity to participate in training, cooperative education, and upward mobility programs.

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