Celebrating a Decade of Impact for NOAA's First Employee Resource Group

The Diversity and Professional Advancement Working Group (DPA WG) was created in 2014 as NOAA’s first Employee Resource Group (ERG) to address the need to further extend opportunities to STEM students from underrepresented groups who participated in NOAA educational programs. The DPA WG has since evolved, and encompasses a dynamic group of professionals from across NOAA Line Offices and several Staff Offices who recognize the value of teamwork and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. DPA WG members have a passion for diversity and inclusion and go above and beyond their daily duties to serve as a unified voice to advocate for change and to elevate issues of concern to the proper forums. This includes their recommendation to NOAA Leadership on the need to adopt diverse hiring panels for all hiring actions and creating the TOol foR Diverse IntERview PanelS (ORDERS). ORDERS provides hiring managers with a pool or “menu/catalog” of ~120 people with diverse backgrounds who are available to serve as panelists and contribute to the hiring process.

A decade later, the DPA WG continues to advocate for the need to attract, retain, support, and advance a diverse NOAA workforce. Serving as a safe-haven, the DPA WG has become “like a family” and provides a network for its members who feel marginalized and isolated while supporting the efforts of the agency to become more diverse and inclusive. It has truly become a powerhouse support network, and its impact resonates throughout its community. Since its founding, DPA WG members have progressed and been selected for inclusion into leadership programs such as NOAA’s Leadership Competencies Development Program (LCDP). LCDP is a competitive, 18-month program that provides a series of training and developmental experiences for a cadre of NOAA individuals who have high potential for assuming leadership responsibilities Other DPA WG members have advanced their careers and have since ascended into senior leadership positions throughout NOAA and with other agencies. These examples convey how ERGs can help agencies and institutions support the advancement, health, and overall morale of their workforce.

During this engaging panel discussion, several members will talk about their experience creating an Employee Resource Group, challenges navigating the federal space to maintain such a group, best practices to keep employees engaged, accomplishments, and opportunities ahead. Panelists will also talk about how the DPA community aided in their professional development and enhanced their professional network.