Purpose/Objective

The Office of Equal Opportunity is committed to promoting equal employment opportunity within the Department of Environmental Protection and works to eliminate discrimination and sexual harassment.

We have been delegated the authority to ensure that managers and supervisors are informed of their primary responsibility to maintain an environment that is free from unfair treatment, discrimination or sexual harassment.

We will provide guidance in the areas of equal employment opportunity, develop and implement programs & policies related to discrimination and sexual harassment, enhance awareness through training education and community outreach.

Equal Employment Opportunity is fair treatment in employment, promotion, training, and other personnel actions and benefits of employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender, pregnancy (including breastfeeding), marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States or disability.

Major Duties/Functions of the Unit

• Evaluate and investigate discrimination complaints filed by employees and candidates for employment
• Provide consultation to management on recruitment strategies and procedures and monitor hiring decisions
• Monitor all employment practices
• Provide training and guidance relative to employment opportunity and sexual harassment
• Counsel and advise management and employees on matters involving discrimination and sexual harassment
• Serve as resource to facilitate mediation of disputes
• Enhance DEP’s community presence as an equal opportunity employer
• Serve as management liaison to governmental enforcement agencies and minority community groups and organizations
• Make policy recommendations that enhance the DEP’s commitment to affirmative action and equal opportunity
• Establish an Annual Workforce Development Plan