About the Office of Inclusion and Civil Rights

The NOAA Office of Inclusion and Civil Rights (OICR) was renamed and repositioned organizationally in 2019 to elevate the growing need for robust equal employment opportunity (EEO), diversity and inclusion programs to meet the needs of our federal employees, contract staff, prospective employees, and partners throughout the public and private sectors.  Our work consistently ensures that NOAA is in full compliance with federal laws, Executive Orders, and departmental and agency directives.  We make managing diversity and inclusion a business priority that is ingrained into NOAA's organizational culture.  NOAA strives to be viewed as an "Employer of Choice" by leading in the areas of EEO, diversity and inclusion; and providing superior service and consultation to those in need.

Management Directive 715 (MD-715) is the policy guidance which the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) provides to federal agencies for their use in establishing and maintaining effective programs of equal employment opportunity under a number of specific laws including, Section 717 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 791 et seq.  MD-715 provides a roadmap for creating effective equal employment opportunity (EEO) programs for all federal employees as required by Title VII and the Rehabilitation Act. MD-715 took effect on October 1, 2003.