Download pdf - Customizing Environmental Education, Training, and Employment Opportunities to Rapidly Changing American Demographics: Hispanic Communities

Customizing Environmental Education, Training, and

Employment Opportunities to Rapidly Changing

American Demographics:

Hispanic Communities

Panelists and Contributors

USDA Forest Service

Kimberly Winter, Ph.D., NatureWatch Program Leader

Pedro Nieto, M.Ed., National Equal Employment Manager

Tamberly Conway, Ph.D., Diversity and Inclusion Specialist

Environment for the Americas

Natasha Kerr, M.A., Diversity Outreach Coordinator

USDA Forest Service & Environment for the Americas

Sergio DeHoyos, M.Eng., FS-EFTA Celebrate Shorebirds Intern

and

FS Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Intern


Panel Overview

Status Report - USDA and Forest Service Efforts

Toward Diversity and Inclusion

Successful Outreach Education

and Internship Programs

Recommendations

Why keep pushing for diversity in natural resources activities

and hiring if they havent come to us already?

Diversity in the melting pot of the U.S.A. is who we are as Americans: we embrace the

cultures, skills, and creativity of people

from every walk of life and every country

on Earth.

Diversity provides resiliency against the dynamic forces of change; drawing from

the unique strengths of individuals to

support a system thats even better than its parts.

Federal employers serve the American public, and their workforces should reflect

trends in the growing demographic

diversity of that public.

Why keep pushing for diversity in natural resources activities

and hiring if they havent come to us already?

Answer: We are not (yet) reaching people where they are

culturally, linguistically, or geographically.

(Hint: If we were, there would be no they)

Hispanic Diversity and Inclusion at the

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service

USDA Forest Service


Sergio DeHoyos-Irizarry, M.Eng.

Intern, FS-EFTA Celebrate Shorebirds and

FS-Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

USDA Forest Service

Pedro Nieto, M.Ed.

National Equal Employment Manager

Civil Rights Staff, Special Emphasis Programs

2010 Latino Population

Distribution by U.S. County

(U.S. Census Bureau, 2011)

Workforce Statistics (U.S. Federal Government)

Hispanic Workers by State

STEM Representation by Race

Hispanic Workforce Composition




Permanent Workforce

Hispanic Men Hispanic Women All Hispanics

MO/YR All # FS % CLF # FS % CLF # FS % CLF

Sep-13 28817 1467 4.87% 5.17% 786 2.61% 4.79% 2253 7.48% 9.96%

Mar-14 28337 1460 5.15% 5.17% 780 2.75% 4.79% 2240 7.90% 9.96%

The data reflects that overall, Hispanic employees have representation rates

below the 2010 National Civilian Labor Force (CLF)



Permanent Workforce Critical Occupational

Hispanic Men Hispanic Women All Hispanics

FS CRITICAL

OCCUPATIONAL SERIES Total # # FS %

Series

CLF # FS %

Series

CLF # FS %

Series

CLF

0301 Misc. Admin & Program 1185 45 3.80% 3.70% 46 3.88% 6.20% 91 7.68% 9.80%

0340 Program Management 677 41 6.06% 3.70% 10 1.48% 6.20% 51 7.53% 9.80%

0401 Biologist 2160 84 3.89% 2.70% 39 1.81% 2.60% 123 3.00% 5.20%

0460 Forester 1439 43 2.99% 2.00% 7 0.49% 0.40% 50 2.00% 2.40%

0462 Forestry Technicians 8216 717 8.73% 4.60% 87 1.06% 4.00% 804 9.79% 8.60%

0470 Soil Scientist 128 4 3.13% 3.70% 4 3.13% 1.00% 8 6.25% 4.70%

0486 Wildlife Biologist 594 31 5.22% 2.70% 17 2.86% 2.60% 48 8.08% 5.20%

0810 Civil Engineer 589 42 7.13% 4.50% 15 2.55% 1.00% 57 3.50% 5.50%

1101 Gen Business & Industry 423 7 1.65% 3.70% 20 4.73% 6.20% 27 6.38% 9.80%

2210 Information Technology 643 27 4.20% 5.80% 18 4.30% 2.30% 45 7.00% 8.10%

Red and italics indicate that the grade representation rate is below the overall onboard representation rate.

Source: National Finance Center Reporting Center Report Minority Grade Profile as of March 2, 2014

Educational Paths and Employment

The objective of Forest Service Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) is to administer individual

programs which are a part of the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program. The Special

Emphasis Program Managers (SEPM) serves as subject-matter experts regarding the hiring,

career advancement and retention of the employees.

They help identify and take affirmative steps to ensure that all Forest Service employees have

an equal opportunity to compete fairly in all aspects of Agency employment, e.g., recruitment,

training, upward mobility, career counseling, developmental details, promotions, and any

other condition of employment.

USDA-Forest Service Civil Rights

Special Programs

Forest Service Agreements with USDA &

Hispanic Serving Institutes

52 different institutions from 8 states and

Puerto Rico submitted 76 proposals for

consideration for funding for this year, the

15th year of the program.

Institutions submitting proposals were from:

Arizona (5), California (23), Florida (3),

Illinois (5), New Mexico (5), New York (1),

Texas (26), Washington (1), and Puerto Rico

(7).

These proposals requested the following per

year of USDA funding:

Fiscal Year 2011: $26,153,028.00

Fiscal Year 2012: $40,936,149.00


Capacity Building Programs: Hispanic Serving Institutions

Forest Service California Consortium Objective: to strengthen

community outreach, recruitment, and capacity building programs.

Targeted outreach to Hispanic and Asian communities.

Initiatives emphasize employment opportunities, but also integrate

community collaboration, encouraging underserved communities to

promote healthy ecosystems through forest management planning.

Projects implemented include forest ecosystem enhancement,

conservation, maintenance, and restoration.


Capacity Building Program: California Consortium

Budget (Fiscal Year 2012)

The Forest Service contributed $460,502.00

for Hispanic Serving Institutes (HSI)

Accountability

Total Enrollment: 41 positions (23 Females, 18 Males)

Mission Critical Job Series: 98%

Student Job Satisfaction Rate: 94%

Supervisor Feedback: Student Superior Performance Rate: 95%

HSI Cost FY 2012:

Fall 2011: $13498.00 (15 weeks), Spring 2012: $13498.00 (15 weeks)

Summer 2012: $10599.00 (10 weeks), Fall 2012: $13606.00 (15 weeks)



Budget Fiscal Year-2013

The Forest Service contributed $389,788.00 for

Hispanic Serving Institutes (HSI)

Accountability

Total Enrollment: 32 positions (16 Females, 16 Males)

Mission Critical Job Series: 98%

Student Job Satisfaction Rate: 98%

Supervisor Feedback: Student Superior Performance Rate: 95%

HSI Cost FY 13:

Fall 2012: $13,606.00 (15 weeks)

Spring 2013: $13,606.00 (15 weeks)

Summer 2013: $10,678.00 (10 weeks)



USDA Forest Service

Tamberly Conway, Ph.D.

Partnerships, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist

FS Conservation Education Programs

Conservation Education and Community Outreach:

USFS & Partner Programs Integrating Tools, Methods, and

Techniques to Reach Latino Audiences

Latino Legacy

Mexico(51%)

U.S.(30%)

Central America

(13%)

South America

(6%)

Country of Origin

0-9 yrs. (27%)

10-19 yrs.(42%)

20-29 yrs. (17%)

30-79 yrs. (14%)

Time Spent Living in the U.S.

U.S. Forest Service-funded study assessed a conservation

education and community outreach pilot program

(Latino Legacy)

Bilingual children

(n=210)

(89%)

Spanish (67%)

English33%

Survey Language

Spanish(40%)

English(6%)

Bilingual(54%)

Spoken Language

Spanish(40%)

English(10%)

Bilingual(50%)

Language Read

Spanish (68%)

English(16%)

Spanish and

English(16%)

Language Spoken at Home

Spanish (56%)

English (29%)

Bilingual(15%)

Preferred Language to Receive Conservation Education Programs

Language Usage

30% born in the U.S. and 80% with a college degree selected the survey in Spanish

45% born in the U.S., 50% living in the U.S. for 20-29 yrs. speak Spanish at home

25% with a college degree and 70% with less than a high school degree could read only Spanish

50% in all education levels preferred Spanish language programs

Findings support literature and beliefs that Spanish is an important aspect of maintaining cultural ties

Findings from analysis of 321 Latino respondents in Texas indicated that, on average,

Latinos preferred information and programmatic delivery in Spanish.

Language Usage Related to Demographic Variables

Use of Spanish language in the U.S. is prevalent and will continue into future

Need for printed materials and conservation education/interpretive

programs and community outreach in Spanish

Levels of interest in conservation topics important to the USFS

Likelihood to attend programs related to USFS topics is high

Use of hands-on experiences and utilization of wildlife are very effective

attractions/educational tools that may be used to reach the Latino community

A Model for Green Communities

Project Learning Tree/Forest Service GreenSchools!

Engages students, teachers, administrators and community (approximately 90% Latino) in conservation education and action

Enlists schools in a feeder pattern from early childhood through high school levels (GreenSchools! Greenbelt)

Focuses on creating avenues to higher education and career pathways in natural resource conservation and management

Capacity building through partnership and collaboration among

traditional and non-traditional partners has inspired a green movement within the community that continues to blossom and grow

with conservation education and stewardship actions.

Fruit Tree Planting Foundation

El Buho Woodsy (Woodsy Owl)

FSNatureLIVE Distance Learning Adventures

www.FSNatureLIVE.org

- bi-and sometimes tri-national

- MonarchLIVE! (US, Mexico and Canada)

- PollinatorLIVE! (Polinizadores enVIVO!

in Spanish)

Provide volunteer, internship and employment opportunities

Employ knowledgeable and prepared Latinos in order to maintain a relevant cultural perspective

Increase the number of Latinos and Spanish-speaking individuals within agencies and organizations to better mirror the faces of the public we serve

Power of PartnershipsSowing the seeds

harvesting the bounty!

USDA Forest Service

Tamberly Conway, Ph.D.

Partnerships, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist

FS Conservation Education Programs

Conservation Education and Community Outreach Tools,

Methods, and Techniques to Reach Latino Audiences

Hispanic Youth Field Training & Community Outreach

Environment for the Americas Celebrate Shorebirds Internship Program


Natasha Kerr, M.A.

Diversity Outreach Coordinator

Sergio DeHoyos-Irizarry, M.Eng.

Celebrate Shorebirds Intern

Over 350 species of migratory birds travel throughout Western Hemisphere

Migratory link between communities and wildlife


Home of International Migratory Bird Day

Americas Great Outdoors funding of

8 Latino youth interns in: Alaska, Oregon,

California, Washington, D.C., and Colorado

Objectives:

Train Latino youth in wildlife research & environmental education

Connect youth to conservation careers

Engaging diverse communities in bird conservation

Conduct migratory shorebird monitoring for international research


Celebrate Shorebirds Latino Internship Program

Beginners please apply!

Sense of community among cohort of interns

Ongoing mentorship

Networking opportunities

Substantive research and other skill-building opportunities

Paid internship, some include lodging

Latinos belong in this field!


Connecting Youth to Conservation Agencies

WetlandsLIVE online distance learning program

Intensive shorebird monitoring at a critical

migration stop-over site

Latino media outreach

Shorebird Festival

Environmental Education


Copper River Delta, Alaska

U.S. Forest Service Intern Placement

Completion of 1,700 hours gathering data on migratory

and nesting shorebirds of Pacific Coast


2013 Project Accomplishments

Involvement of 8,000 youth and adults, primarily Latino, in

education programs about birds and their conservation


Community Engagement


Where Are They Now?

Leveraging resources Connecting new audiences to public lands Diversifying conservation workforce


Benefits of Partnership

EFTA Celebrating Shorebirds Interns

Host Agency Staff (Forest Service):

Gain perspective on how interns (and possibly the interns communities/culture) view natural resources

Expose hidden communication and institutional barriers that may be blocking real inclusion of the public in FS outreach

Learn technical Spanish words specific to FS jobs and audiences

Earn credibility through communications and actions that reflect the needs and cultural perspectives of FS constituents

Demonstrate leadership through mentoring

Enjoy the technical assistance and work output of interns

Walk the talk as an agency of diversity and inclusion

Environmentfortheamericas.wordpress.com

Connecting Cultures Toolkit: birdday.org

EFTA Celebrating Shorebirds

Follow our 2014 Interns!

Hispanic Youth Field Training & Community Outreach

Environment for the Americas Celebrate Shorebirds Internship Program


Natasha Kerr, M.A.

Diversity Outreach Coordinator

[email protected]

303-499-1950

Celebrate Shorebirds

2014 Sponsors

Recommendations for Customizing

Approaches to Growing Demographics

Training

Expand scope of marketing natural resources job postings

Prepare potential applicants (training, mentoring)

Reach people where they are (not just where agencies or distant public lands are located, not just in one language)

Foster public-private partnerships (esp. academic institutions with high densities of under-represented

demographics)

Focus on representing the unique demographics of your region, with an eye for changes in American society



Institutional Strategies

Provide cultural sensitivity training for employees

Collaborate with local organizations representing predominant minorities

Identify internal (within agency) mentors

Showcase programs that have successfully integrated different cultural perspectives and skills



Institutional Strategies

Ask representatives from underserved communities for feedback and guidance, especially in planning discussions

Monitor and evaluate progress towards diversity goals (be honest and continue to adapt your approaches)

Ensure that marketing materials are inclusive and detailed



Building Rapport

Face-to-face interactions in the language of preference demonstrate inclusivity

Social media/web outreach in language of preference

Establish and nurture relationships with community leaders and liaisons

Engage youth and families

Hire local youth and community members

Host multilingual events and programs

Be persistent and creative

Customizing Environmental Education, Training, and

Employment Opportunities to Rapidly Changing

American Demographics:

Hispanic Communities

Panelists and Contributors

USDA Forest Service

Kimberly Winter, Ph.D., NatureWatch Program Leader

Pedro Nieto, M.Ed., National Equal Employment Manager

Tamberly Conway, Ph.D., Diversity and Inclusion Specialist


Natasha Kerr, M.A., Diversity Outreach Coordinator


Sergio DeHoyos, M.Eng., FS-EFTA Celebrate Shorebirds Intern

and

FS Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Intern