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Hispanic Emphasis Program

The purpose of the Hispanic Special Emphasis Program is to provide focus on such issues as employment, retention, promotion, training, career development, and advancement opportunities affecting Hispanic employees.

Program Goals

  1. To be an advisor to the State Conservationist on issues and concerns/problems related to both equal employment opportunities and program delivery for Hispanics. 
  2. Increase representation, promotion and retention of employees who are Hispanic in the Vermont NRCS workforce. 
  3. Improve knowledge and background on Hispanic cultural issues and concerns.

What is the Hispanic Emphasis Program and who is Hispanic?

The Hispanic Emphasis Program (HEP) was established initially by a Presidential Directive in 1970 as a Sixteen Point Program for Spanish Speaking Americans.  Executive Order 11491, Nov. 1970 integrated the Spanish-Speaking (now HEP) into the overall Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Program. For additional authority and guidance on the (HEP) program, the Federal Personnel Manual (FPM) Letters 713-18 and 713-23 direct Federal agencies to designate Hispanic Emphasis Program Managers (HEPM's) to carry out the objectives of the Hispanic Employment Program and directs Federal agencies to appoint either full-time or part-time managers.  It was designed to assure consideration of the needs and issues of persons of Hispanic origin in all aspects of Federal personnel management, as well as on the access to and delivery of. Hispanics are persons of Mexican, Cuban, Central and South American or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. 

What does the Special Emphasis Program Manager SEPM do?

  • Advise the State Conservationist/DEEO Officer on matters affecting the employment and advancement of Hispanics.
  • Participate in development and administration of the Affirmative Employment Plan.
  • Help recruit, retain and promote Hispanics within the organization. 
  • Educate fellow employees on cultural differences and similarities. 
  • Act as a liaison between employees and management to ensure a good working relationship and equal treatment of employees. 
  • Serve on the Civil Rights Advisory Committee. 
  • Assist employees in providing equal opportunity in program delivery. 
  • Advise employees and disseminate to field employees information received from the national HEPM and other sources.

Links of Interest