EM is working to implement President Biden’s executive order to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the federal workforce as well as the cleanup program’s federal advisory committees.
The EM Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB) is an important tool for EM to obtain public input for community-specific solutions. The eight local boards organized under the umbrella charter of the EM SSAB develop recommendations for field managers at eight of EM’s field locations.
Community input is enhanced by a board that closely reflects a diversity of viewpoints from the site’s region. In support of Executive Order 14035, EM is looking to pursue opportunities to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility on advisory boards.
Extensive site-specific recruitment efforts help populate diverse, community-focused advisory boards. Recruitment efforts include outreach to many local women’s, minority, young professionals, and labor organizations, as well as outreach in local newspapers, community centers, libraries, and colleges. Local board staff are encouraged to get creative with recruitment methods to increase interest, using social media and virtual outreach.
EM’s advisory board team keeps a close eye on the demographic makeup of the boards to promote diversity in many areas, including age, gender, race, education, experience, and geographic location. This diversity enhances creativity and effectiveness of the boards and amplifies voices of the communities surrounding EM sites.
“The increased time spent focusing on diversity ensures community members from underrepresented groups will have a seat on the board," EM SSAB Designated Federal Officer Kelly Snyder said. “Every voice matters, and we want to ensure all sects of the community have the opportunity to voice their perspectives regarding the important work we do."
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
