Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity OCREO

1. Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (OCREO)

2. Presentation Outline Overview of OCREO Importance of Diversity Workforce Profile Questions

3. With a compliment of 60 full-time employees, OCREO provides: EEO program leadership & guidance to SSA components Advice, guidance and information for managers and employees Fair, neutral and timely case management and oversight for the EEO complaint process

4. OCREO�s Organizational Structure: Center for Cultural Diversity (CCD) Center for Disability Services (CDS) Center for Complaints Processing (CCP)

5. OCREOCenter for Cultural Diversity (CCD) Monitors agency-wide hiring statistics. Formulates affirmative employment plans. Prepares detailed workforce analysis reports to ensure recruitment, development and retention of a highly qualified and diverse workforce. Plans and hosts diversity activities. Provides oversight and guidance for SSA�s six Advisory Councils.

6. OCREOCenter for Disability Services (CDS) Ensures agency policies do not exclude or limit persons with disabilities. Assists managers with the employment of persons with disabilities in a broad range of grade levels, occupations and positions commensurate with their skills and abilities. Processes reasonable accommodation requests. Manages the Selective Placement Program (Schedule A).

7. OCREOCenter for Complaints Processing (CCP) Provides policy guidance on matters pertaining to the EEO complaints process. Processes all complaints of discrimination and administers the agency�s alternative dispute resolution program.

8. Importance of Diversity As you know, the labor market has become increasingly competitive and will be even more competitive in the future. As reported in SSA�s Agency Strategic Plan; over 53 percent of our total workforce, including 70 percent of our supervisors, will be eligible to retire by FY 2017. We need to mirror the public that we serve. Diversity strengthens our organization and enhances the quality of the services we deliver.

9. Minorities become Majority in 2042

10. Social Security Administration

11. African American Representation

12. SSA�s Diversity Picture

13. SSA Employees Break-out

16. SSA FY 2009 Hiring 6,816 have already been hired Of those 2,029 were African American

17. Next Steps

18. Retirement trends provide both a challenge and an opportunity to create a more diverse workforce. Approximately 61 percent of all employees will be eligible for retirement in the next eight years. As federal employees retire, there exists a potential to fill those slots with eligible talent.

19. JT�s Views on Positioning Yourself for Promotional Opportunities Prepare & submit an outstanding SF-45/Resume. Respond thoroughly to all items requested in the vacancy announcement. Maintain an excellent working relationship with your supervisor and communicate your interests. Request special projects, volunteer to work on special agency initiatives, workgroups, etc. Continue to enhance your skills and abilities; e.g. obtain a college degree / advance degree if possible. Be mobile & flexible. Apply for agency programs � such as the SES CDP, ALP, LDP, etc. Have a mentor and cultivate an excellent working relationship with your mentor. Develop an IDP and keep it current. Think proactively; engage in activities that would make you stand out. If given an opportunity for an interview, intensely prepare for that interview. Maintain a positive outlook.

20. �The goal of full equality cannot be mandated by the government or achieved by the courts alone. To reach this goal, all of us must take responsibility for ourselves, for our choices, and for our futures. We must renew our commitment to capitalize on the opportunities provided by so many who sacrificed so much. All of us must find the courage to confront these issues in our own lives�let us recognize that the next century will be less about changing our laws than about changing ourselves.� --- Attorney General Eric Holder