Outreach Event Portfolio
PPQ Safeguarding, Federal Hiring and Diversity & Inclusion Outreach Events APHIS-PPQ-FO-SW CA 2706 Long Beach Plant Protection and Quarantine Work Unit
Brandon R. Washington APHIS-CRDAC Special Emphasis Program Manager
This portfolio provides brief descriptions and visual summaries of actual outreach events preformed and orchestrated by Brandon R. Washington in his role as a Special Emphasis Program Manager (SEPM) for the APHIS Civil Rights and Diversity Advisory Committee (CRDAC). This role also incorporates outreach to assist APHIS's Long Beach Plant Protection and Quarantine Field Office Safeguarding mission.
University Outreach Example: Univ of So. California (USC) Diversity and Inclusion Panel Discussion..............................................................................
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College Outreach Example: Long Beach City College Federal Hiring Seminar.................................
Plant Protection & Quarantine Administrators Statement Regarding Strategic Planning and Outreach.................................................................................
Message from the Secretary.......................
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APHIS FO Civil Rights and Diversity Committee Goals & APHIS PPQ Safeguarding Mission.............
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Affinity Group Outreach Example: United State Veteran Initiative (U.S. VET'S) and The National Black MBA Association NBMBAA Recruitment, Stakeholder Engagement, Info Session..........................................................................
Special Thanks................................................
High School Outreach Example: Cabrillio Senior High School PPQ Safeguarding Information session..........................................................
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Table of Contents
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Thomas J. Vilsack Secretary, USDA
Message from the Secretary
"Get to know your Civil Rights Committee members because they are a valuable resource..."
As you know, creating a cultural transformation at USDA is one of my most important goals as Secretary. I encourage our employees to take advantage of USDA’s Special Emphasis Programs, and get involved with these pro-grams designed to improve recruitment, retention, and career advancement to African Americans, American Indians/ Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans/ Pacific Islanders, persons with disabilities, Gay/ Lesbian/ Bisexual/ Transgender (LGBT), Hispanics, veterans, and women. Get to know your Civil Rights Committee members because they are a valuable resource as well, and they exist to help en-sure that at all employees are treated fairly. Make training, education, and cultural transformation activities part of your Individual Development Plan, and make constructive suggestions for ways to improve the work processes or customer service. Cultural Transformation isn’t something we wait around for, it’s something we make happen, so I encourage you to be proactive and improve your work-life and career potential. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the United States Department of Agriculture. I am proud of the work we do together, and I welcome your help in making USDA an even better place for both you and our customers. (source: A Progress Report for Employees on USDA’s Cultural Transformation—Summary of Progress November 2010 Through February 2011 -Summarized)
"Healthy and profitable agriculture is good for America; it provides food and clothing for countless people worldwide and is a key pillar to a thriving economy..."
Since 1972, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has been a vital force in American agriculture. Over the years, the Agency has modernized to be more proactive, flexible, and responsive to the needs of those we serve. Although APHIS’ activities have changed over the years, our core mission remains the same: to safeguard the health and value of America’s agriculture and natural resources. We are also harnessing information technology solutions and outreach efforts to make services and information available to our customers electronically and to find cost savings. Continued proactive communications with our stakeholders and partners will ensure that those who have an interest in our mission receive timely, accurate information about the Agency’s programs and are able to provide perspectives to better inform our decision making. Our decisions will be data-driven and evidence-based. Agricultural production practices, global trading patterns, and pest and disease threats will always be changing, but our core objective remains the same. It is simple but vital: to safeguard American agriculture. I have witnessed the dedication and determination of our employees. Together, we will meet the goals and objectives by employing both proven and new tactics in our programs. (source: A Progress Report for Employees on USDA’s Cultural Transformation—Summary of Progress November 2010 Through February 2011 -Summarized)
Kevin Shea Administrator, APHIS-USDA
APHIS Plant Protection & Quarantine (PPQ) Administrator's Safeguarding Mission
Auditor's Report
APHIS Field Operation's Civil Rights and Diversity Advisory Committee Mission & Goals
Civil Rights and Diversity Advisory Committee Special Emphasis Programs
National Civil Rights and Diversity Advisory Committee & the Civil Rights and Diversity Advisory Committee APHIS implements Special Emphasis Programs through the National Civil Rights and Diversity Advisory Committee (NCRDAC) and the Civil Rights and Diversity Advisory Committees (CRDAC). The purpose of the NCRDAC is to serve as a strategic advisor to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) in providing management officials and employees with a vehicle that enhances equal opportunity employment and program delivery issues.  The NCRDAC supports a diverse, proficient, and skilled workforce; equality of program delivery; and the civil rights of employees. The NCRDAC also establishes lines of communication between employees and management through views on civil rights issues. All of the programs in APHIS will have a Civil Rights and Diversity Advisory Committees (CRDAC).  Special Emphasis Programs Special Emphasis Programs were established to assist agencies in assuring that equal opportunity is present in all aspects of employment and that proper action is being taken to identify and eliminate barriers for equal employment and program delivery activities. The purpose of Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) is to provide guidance and direction on the establishment and administration of SEPs throughout the Department of Agriculture. Special Emphasis Program Managers address the unique concerns of the following individuals: African Americans; American Indians/Alaska Natives; Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders; persons with disabilities; Veterans; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender individuals; Hispanic individuals; and women in achieving diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in employment activities.
University Outreach: University of Southern California Diversity & Inclusion Panel Discussion
University Outreach: Diversity and Inclusion
The USDA Secretary and the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Administrator task and empower our management, recruiters and civil rights committees, with the duty to support all aspects of recruitment, hiring and outreach. In collaboration with headquarters and regional management, these various components of the PPQ workforce assist in the creation and implementation of comprehensive recruitment strategies, creation and application of civil-rights & diversity plans and encourage PPQ safeguarding tactics. This example of University Outreach incorporates these areas of focus to help our agency accomplish our mission and to identify and attract highly qualified and desirable candidates in all areas of PPQ. Â
"Thank you again for participating in the DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: Recruiting Best Practices seminar last Thursday, April 14, 2016. It was great to have the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) represented at the panel, we received a lot of great feedback from our students." Daisy Moreno Coordinator, On-Campus Programs University of Southern California
The USDA, APHIS and the PPQ Field Offices work in tandem with the National Recruitment and Outreach Unit to actively engaged in workforce and succession planning. Additionally, the furtherance of diversity in PPQ has been the focus of many of our initiatives. The example above illustrates our commitment to recruitment and outreach to special populations including women, disabled persons and military veterans. National Recruitment and Outreach Unit Vision and Mission Statements Our Vision To recruit and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce for PPQ, instilling in them a sense of public service and commitment to safeguarding American agriculture and natural resources. Our Mission To connect PPQ management with diverse and highly qualified applicants committed to helping PPQ carry out its mission of safeguarding American agriculture and natural resources.
(Brandon R. Washington and the LBCC Veteran Student Association pictured above)
University Outreach: Long Beach City College Federal Careers & Hiring Authorities (VRA & VEOA) for Military Veteran's
University Outreach: Federal Careers & Special Emphasis Recruiting
High School Outreach: Cabrillio Senior High School Engaging Youth Stakeholders, PPQ Safeguarding and AgDiscovery Information session
Part of APHIS outreach activities involves engaging today's youths and helping to peak their interest in agriculture and agriculture related higher learning activities. One way to reach this goal is by promoting exciting opportunities such as the USDA AgDiscovery Program. AgDiscovery is a summer camp outreach program to help middle through high school aged students explore careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, agribusiness, plant pathology, aquaculture, and much more. This 2-4 week program allows participants to live on a college campus and learn about agricultural science from university professors, practicing veterinarians, industry representatives, and professionals working for the U.S. government. Students who participate in AgDiscovery gain experience through hands-on labs, workshops, field trips and other group and team building activities
Engaging Youth Stakeholders
Student Programs Information on scholarships, internships, and work programs for students in high school through graduate school can be found on the APHIS Student Programs Web page.
USDA's "Vin Vasive" Character
Affinity Group Outreach: US Veterans Initiative (501c3): Federal Hiring, Special Hiring Authorities Info Session National Black MBA Association (501c3): Member Engagement, Federal Hiring and PPQ Safeguarding Information session
APHIS understands the value of affinity groups and their ability foster and support our agency's diversity and inclusion strategy. Many offer training and educational programs, create networking forums, host leadership conferences, and sponsor client events. We currently support over a various array of affinity groups that encompass the wide ranging cultural and ethnic and national backgrounds of our employees. These groups provide an opportunity for our people to share concerns and feedback, and to develop professional relationships with other employees. Additionally, they help to identify opportunities for professional development and advancement to help them achieve their full potential.
"Cultural Transformation isn’t something we wait around for, it’s something we make happen" -Thomas J. Vilsack Secretary, USDA
Student Programs
Information on scholarships, internships, and work programs for students in high school through graduate school can be found on the APHIS Student Programs Web page.
I would like to extend a special "Thank You" to the organizations that have helped the USDA, APHIS and the PPQ SEPM connect, network and recruit diverse and highly qualified applicants. Your efforts have contributed to the support of our mission of safeguarding American agriculture and natural resources.
Special Thanks
Created By Brandon R. Washington
