In the fourth installment of the 2010 Federal Latina Representation Assessment & Employment Guide LATINA Style continues to highlight agencies that continue to diversify their workforce. Read where they stand and see ways they are expanding their recruiting efforts.

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)

An independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. “GAO is at the epicenter of government decision making,� states Terri Rivera Russell, Special Emphasis Recruiting Liaison for the U.S. Government Accountability Office. “Our work spans the entire federal government, including national defense, international affairs, energy, education, the environment, health care, homeland security, transportation, financial management, and information technology.� Ranked number two on the 2009 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government Rankings, the agency continues to create a progressive work environment. “GAO is an equal opportunity employer that strives to maintain a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment,� states Rivera Russell. “Like any professional services organization, GAO is only as good as the knowledge, skills and abilities of its workforce.� As of July 9, 2010, Hispanics comprise 4.7 percent of GAO’s workforce, and currently has 154 (or 4.7 percent) Hispanics in the workforce. Of these, 78 (or 50.6 percent) are women and 76 (or 49.4 percent) are men. GAO’s workforce is 57.3 percent women and 42.7 percent men. In addition, about 20 percent of Hispanics at GAO hold senior level positions including senior executives, assistant directors, senior attorneys, and senior level administrative professionals. “GAO hires new employees each year—full-time employees and interns (current students),� states Rivera Russell. “While many of our new employees are recent graduates, many also have years of prior work experience. About 70 percent of GAO’s hires each year are at the entry level.� The agency actively seeks Hispanics through many minority serving colleges, universities and organizations. For example, GAO hired seven interns through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) program this past year; GAO meets with representatives of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) partners with the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) program to operate an intern program to reach students from traditionally underrepresented groups. In addition, GAO has a Diversity Advisory Council that serves as an advisory body to senior management and includes members from our Hispanic Liaison Group. GAO has a wide range of occupations that include: analysts, information technology specialists, financial auditors, economists, attorneys and communications analysts who work in teams to audit the operation and efficiency of federally-funded programs. The agency also has a wide range of administrative, professional, and support positions that focus on GAO’s internal operations, such as budget, financial management, human capital, information technology and knowledge services.

Social Security Administration (SSA)

One of the largest independent agencies of the federal government, the Social Security Administration’s mission is to deliver Social Security services that meet the needs of the public. Administering Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors’ benefits, the agency ranks number nine on the 2009 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government Rankings. According to Kia S. Green, Social Security Administration, National Press Office, SSA employees take pride in the importance of their work in helping millions of retired and disabled workers, their dependents, and survivors. “The satisfaction of working with the public is an important benefit derived from working for SSA,� she states. “The agency’s commitment to train its employees and support their development is another benefit.� “The recruitment of Hispanics and minority groups has been an integral part of the agency’s recruitment program in recent decades,� she states. “The agency takes great pride in its commitment to hire a diverse workforce.� As of July 13, 2010, the agency had a total of 9,749 Hispanic employees representing 13.83 percent of the agency’s total workforce. Hispanic females comprise 6,974 (9.89 percent) and Hispanic males comprise 2,775 (3.93 percent) of the Hispanic workforce. In addition, SSA has a total of 48,206 women employees that represent 68.38 percent of SSA’s total workforce. Career opportunities are vast in the agency and are currently hiring a limited number of direct service employees in various field offices throughout the country to replace employees who retire. In addition, the agency is hiring attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants nationwide. SSA recruits people of all diverse backgrounds at colleges and universities across the country. This results in a significant number of new hires being of college-age. In addition, students between the ages of 18 to 25 are picked as permanent employees after participating in the agency’s Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP). In FY 2009, 86 students from diverse backgrounds were placed nationwide into career appointments from these programs (43 SCEPs and 43 STEPs). The agency has recruitment cadres in every one of the 10 regions across the nation and Puerto Rico. Working with SSA leadership, recruitment cadre members look to attract Hispanic individuals by attending recruitment job fairs at colleges, universities, military transition events, job fairs, and hiring expos in their respective regions.

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)

The U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) mission is to use expertise to provide ground-breaking solutions for customers in support of their missions and by so doing foster an effective, sustainable, and transparent government for the American people. The agency provides workplaces by constructing, managing, and preserving government buildings and by leasing and managing commercial real estate. “GSA is committed to the diversity of its workforce,� states Jeffrey Woodworth, from the GSA’s Office of Communications and Marketing. “Promoting Diversity is one of the strategic goals in the agency’s human capital plan.� Ranked number 8 out 28 agencies in the Support for Diversity Category in the Partnership for Public Service’s 2009 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government Rankings, the agency has participated in several events sponsored by government groups, associations, and universities. The most recent events include: Public Service Recognition Week, GSA Expo, Federally Employed Women conference, Blacks in Government conference, Diversity Job Fair, Military Officers Association of America conference, National Contract Management Association World Congress, James Madison University’s Job Fair, and more. According to GSA workforce statistics, full-time employees comprise 12,554, males 6521 (51 percent), female 6166 (49 percent) and Hispanics represent only 659 (5 percent) of the workforce. GSA offers internship and development programs that provide students with a career-defining experience. These programs range from paid summer internships to career development programs that may lead to a permanent job. Students can apply their field of study to government and business challenges in various time-limited (two year) programs such as the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program which offers students the opportunity to bring their writing, interpersonal, analytic, and leadership skills to a career in public service. At the end of the fellowship, the fellow will have invaluable and prestigious experience and a permanent position at GSA. The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) provides a student with an opportunity to gain experience in his or her chosen career while attending school. It requires a commitment by the student, the school, and GSA. Eligible for permanent employment is possible after successfully completing the education and meeting work requirements. The Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) offers a two-year internship that often leads to a permanent position. “Our jobs are as diverse as the services we provide,� states Woolworth. “Our employees include architects, IT professionals, contracting officers, accountants, project managers, and transportation specialists and many other fields. We value a talented, diverse, and high-performing workforce. We promote a culture of knowledge sharing, continuous learning and improvement, and leadership development.� For a comprehensive listing of federal agencies hiring, visit USAjobs.gov. To see the full rankings of each agency profiled visit http:data.bestplacestowork.org.