SECTION 2.10 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Last Update: 9/05

The Human Resources Enterprise of the Department of Administrative Services is authorized to administer the affirmative action and equal employment opportunity programs for the Executive Branch of State government, excluding the Board of Regents. Specifically, the Department is mandated to implement the policy of the State and applicable executive orders:

It is the policy of this state to provide equal opportunity in state employment to all persons. An individual shall not be denied equal access to state employment opportunities because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or physical or mental disability. It also is the policy of this state to apply affirmative action measures to correct deficiencies in the state employment system where those remedies are appropriate. This policy shall be construed broadly to effectuate its purpose (Iowa Code Section 19B.2).

Iowa Code Chapter 19B provides that the Human Resources Enterprise of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services shall do all of the following with respect to promoting the equal opportunity and affirmative action policy of the State:

1. Propose affirmative action standards applicable to each state agency based on the population of the community in which the agency functions or that can be reasonably recruited.

2. Gather data necessary to maintain an ongoing assessment of affirmative action efforts in state agencies.

3. Monitor accomplishments with respect to affirmative action remedies identified in affirmative action plans of state agencies.

4. Conduct studies of pre-employment and post employment processes in order to evaluate employment practices and develop improved methods for dealing with all employment issues related to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.

5. Establish a coordinated recruitment effort to assist in addressing affirmative action recruitment needs.

6. Adopt equal employment opportunities and affirmative action rules.

Given the above statutory responsibility and within the guidelines set out in Chapter 68 of the Iowa Administrative Code, departments are requested to follow the procedures detailed in Section 68.3.