The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Program cultivates a diverse workforce that mirrors the communities served by the National Weather Service (NWS) and promotes an environment of inclusion that maximizes employee engagement and productivity. DEIA ensures that the Department of Commerce and NOAA diversity and inclusion priorities are reflected in NWS policies and implemented in a consistent manner across NWS' uniquely distributed organization. The office consists of three federally mandated programs – the Federal Women's Program, the Hispanic Program, and the Persons with Targeted Disabilities (PWTD) Program. Each of these programs is governed by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits illegal discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, and disability.
Our Commitment to Diversity
The National Weather Service is committed to advancing equitable service delivery and equitable employment opportunities. The success of the NWS requires the success of our entire workforce - the first priority in the NWS Strategic Plan 2023-2033. Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) provides a path to advancement and well-being for everyone in our agency.
A diverse workforce with diverse leadership will be better able to meet the needs of a diverse customer base. Diversity includes many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and beliefs of the American People, including underserved and vulnerable communities. When we respect the unique needs of our communities and our workforce, the agency meets its mission, communities receive the right services, and employees feel heard and valued.
The comprehensive DEIA Strategic Action Plan will help the NWS make progress in recruitment and career advancement, enhance employee well-being, and help ensure that NWS reflects the diversity of the country, as we reach out to all communities. The NWS DEIA Strategic Action Plan aligns with the priorities of the NWS Strategic Plan as well as the White House, DOC, and NOAA. The plan’s core goals are:
- Recruitment - Recruit and hire a diverse and representative workforce, reflecting the demographics across the United States.
- Retention - Increase retention of underrepresented groups across the agency.
- Compliance - Ensure alignment with laws and policies to protect individuals from employment discrimination.
- Training, Outreach, and Engagement - Maximize training, particularly to equip managers with information to recruit, mentor, train, and retain diverse candidates and employees.
- Service Equity - Provide equitable services to meet the mission through outreach activities to vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved populations.
For more information on the NWS DEIA Strategic Action Plan vision, guiding principles, and strategic goals, read more here or reach out to DEIA Program Manager Patricia Brown.
