Anti-Discrimination Notification

The Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) prohibits discrimination in all programs and activities sponsored by the Department or with which the Department is associated.

Programs receiving assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, such as those at SCDNR prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth (or related medical conditions), age (over 40), or disability (in educational programs, pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972).

Additionally, the Department of Natural Resources recognizes that current and prospective employees of the Department are our most valuable resource, and the Department is committed to providing equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, age (40+) or disability, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity). This applies to all personnel actions including, but not limited to recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, transfers, layoffs, recalls from layoffs, and educational, social or recreational programs of the Department.

If an individual feels he/she has been discriminated against or witnessed discrimination in any program, activity or service provided by the Department of Natural Resources, that individual may file a complaint with the Agency Ombudsman concerning agency affiliated programs and activities or the Human Resources Director concerning equal employment opportunities and/ or sexual harassment issues. Contact information for these agency representatives follows:

The general procedures for filing a complaint with the Department are as follows:

• Any individual who feels he/she has experienced or witnessed discrimination should contact the Agency Ombudsman or the Human Resources Director within 30 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action.
• A complaint of discrimination must be submitted in writing indicating the nature of the complaint, date(s) of the alleged discrimination, and the names of all parties involved. Within the written complaint, the complainant should identify what form of resolution he/she is seeking.
• The Agency Ombudsman or the Human Resources Director will investigate the complaint depending upon the nature of the complaint and will report the findings of the investigation within 30 calendar days. The Agency Director will respond in writing to the complainant regarding the disposition of the complaint.
• If the resolution recommended by the Agency Director is unsatisfactory to the complainant, the complaint may be filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Civil Rights Coordinator, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop 110, Arlington, VA 22203, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), or the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, as applicable.

Although the Department encourages an individual to file complaints internally with the Department before seeking resolution elsewhere, an individual has the right to file with these agencies at any time if he/she chooses not to use the service provided by the Department; however, specific timeframes must be met. The respective agency may be contacted for information regarding its complaint procedure and time limits.