Barbara Woodworth

 

 

One of the earliest to integrate the workforce, the federal government continues to be a top employer of African Americans. The jobs available cover a deep array of activities that impact the lives of American on a daily basis. The Honorable La Doris Harris at the Department of Energy (DOE) ensures underrepresented communities are given an opportunity to participate fully in the country’s energy programs. Working with Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE), Nnamdi Aneke makes sure individuals who pose a threat to public safety are kept off of American soil. Rendell Jones of the Citizenship And Immigration Services (USCIS) oversees lawful immigration to the United States. As press assistant with the Office of Communications at the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Arika Trim coordinates communication strategies vital to the overall formulation, awareness, and acceptance of its programs and policies.

 

With a full spectrum of jobs from which to choose, working for the federal government offers a myriad of opportunities to enjoy a fulfilling career.

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Making an Impact Ever since attending high school in the Washington, D.C. area, Arika Trim, who emigrated to the U.S. from the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago at the age of 14, knew she wanted to be a part of the decision-making process that ultimately impacts the nation and the world. Raised in a rural village that is the agricultural hub of the island of Tobago, Trim graduated from Lee University in Tennessee with a bachelor of arts in public relations.

 

She actively pursued career opportunities in the nation’s capital, and in 2010 began her professional career as policy and communications intern at the Democratic Governors Association. In 2012, she joined President Obama’s Chicago digital team, tasked with assisting developers with various projects to optimize user experience for BarackObhama.com. “It was an honor to be an active part of history and continue my work with Obama for America in Tennessee, serving as the state’s lead digital strategies and communication lead,” says Trim.

 

Joining the Office of the First Lady in the White House soon after, Trim worked closely with the communications team, helping to manage press operations and assisting with media relations and press logistics for events, including the first Kid’s State Dinner, the Cooper Hewitt Awards, and the 2014 London Olympics. It was her work related to child nutrition with the First Lady’s team that led to her next position as communications fellow at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This was followed by a presidential appointment, in February 2014, as press assistant with the Office of Communications at the USDA. In her current capacity, Trim provides leadership, expertise, council, and coordination for the development of communication strategies vital to the overall formulation, awareness, and acceptance of USDA programs and policies.

 

Trim, who chose government service because of its impact on daily lives, finds working among the USDA’s 100,000 employees particularly rewarding. “It is important to understand how government affects us every day – from the food we eat to the quality of the air we breathe,” she says. “I write, research, and lead content development for the Secretary of Agriculture, the White House, USDA’s website, social media, speeches, and events.” She additionally serves as the liaison between 17 USDA agencies, the Office of Communications, and the White House, managing coordination for the planning and implementation of national and international announcements. Trim is also called upon to assist with managing and responding to media inquiries and work with national, local, and agricultural reporters to schedule media interviews with the Secretary of Agriculture.

 

Working in a diverse and inclusive workplace is essential for Trim. “Diversity frees us from the unintentional responsibilities of being the exceptional representative for others who look like us. It is important to have a government that looks like the America we serve. It is difficult to talk about issues and policies affecting minority and marginalized communities if they are not represented at the table.”

 

At the USDA, workplace diversity and improving access to USDA programs for historically underserved communities happen in a variety of ways. “Diversity in government is important because it allows us to shape policies, discuss issues, and talk about policies that reflect the people we serve,” she notes. “Working along a diverse group of colleagues expands your worldview.”

 

Active in mentoring teenage girls in the community, Trim relates the advice she received early on, and which she continues to espouse. “If you are privileged to work in your chosen field, do not settle for future opportunities that do not align with your professional aspirations and goals. When those opportunities come around, do some research and make sure you are offered a competitive salary. Work hard and be confident,” she advises. For new employees, she further recommends spending the first few years learning and mastering essential skills needed for your field and finding at least one person you trust to go to for guidance and insight.

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Empowering Minority Businesses

 

“As one of America’s strength’s, diversity should be reflected in both the government and private sectors,” says The Honorable LaDoris Harris, director, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. With more than 13,000 employees, “the mission of the Department of Energy (DOE) is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing the country’s energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions,” says Harris, who holds a BS in electrical engineering from the University of South Carolina and a MS in technology management from Southern Polytechnic State University.

 

Bringing nearly 30 years of management and leadership experience to her current – and first-time government position – Harris was nominated by President Obama, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, in 2012. Today she serves at an assistant secretary level. Commenting on her move from the private sector to public office she says, “The change enables me to leverage my professional experience as a corporate executive in my efforts to empower minority businesses and communities at a national level.”

 

Charged with leading the DOE’s efforts to ensure that minority and historically underrepresented communities are afforded an opportunity to participate fully in the country’s energy programs, Harris oversees a broad array of endeavors. These include to monitor funding strategies for minority institutions, to lead agency-wide diversity and inclusion efforts, to develop the current and future workforce, and to protect the civil rights of DOE employees. She also serves as the department’s representative to the White House Council for Women and Girls.

 

Harris is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the energy sector through programs that in part include the Minorities in Energy Initiative (MIE). She is proactive in keeping abreast of available internships, fellowships, postdoctoral research awards, and scholarships designed to advance minority participation. Working with various public and private partnerships involving agencies and organizations that, in part, include NASA, American Association of Blacks in Energy, American Petroleum Institute, and the National Action Council for Minorities in Energy, she additionally leads the DOE’s MIE in a public/private collaboration aimed at increasing minority involvement in the energy sector. “A main focus of this effort is to engage in STEM education and workforce development as well as energy economic development and climate change,” she explains. “Through outreach, industry partnerships, and industry data analysis, MIE seeks to harness the richness of America’s diversity as it seeks to develop and sustain talent, stimulate innovation, and support economic and national security.”

 

Reflecting on her long and successful career, Harris identifies the importance – and value – of becoming a subject-matter expert in one’s chosen field and accepting and completing challenging assignments. To those new to the industry she advises, “Be good at what you do, be a team player, ask for help when you need it, be flexible, and realize that there can be as much value in accepting lateral job opportunities as there can be in upward promotions.”

 

For individuals interested in applying for federal government positions at all agencies, she recommends USAJobs.gov. She further suggests participating in internships, fellowships, competitions, workshops and other opportunities available for students, teachers, new graduates and experienced workers, especially those with STEM backgrounds. A complete list of such opportunities can be found at energy.gov/diversity/services/ stem-education.

 

U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT Ensuring Public Safety

 

As the principle Investigative and Enforcement branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), headquartered in Washington, D.C, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employs more than 20,000 highly skilled and dedicated individuals. Among them is supervisory deportation officer, Nnamdi Aneke, a 22-year veteran of governmental service.

 

Aneke holds a BS in accounting from William Paterson University and a BS in economics/business management from City University of New York, and is taking post-graduate public administration classes at Central Michigan University. “The six years I spent in active military service played a vital role in my decision {to work for the federal government},” he remarks. “My training instilled in me a discipline that gave me the courage to embrace all challenges with a positive attitude.”

 

Currently assigned to the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Fugitive Operations Unit, he is tasked with locating and arresting individuals who are in this country in violation of federal immigration laws. It falls to Aneke and his team to identify and locate individuals who pose a threat to public safety, such as individuals convicted of serious crimes.

 

“In addition, we focus on individuals who undermine the integrity of our country’s immigration system, including those who were deported and returned illegally and those who cross U.S. borders illegally,” he adds, noting that the Department of Homeland Security was created in 2003 through a merger of investigative and interior enforcement of the United States Customs Service and the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Today the primary mission of ICE is to foster public safety and ensure the integrity and enforcement of federal laws governing border control, trade, immigration, and customs.

 

The gratification and enjoyment Aneke gets from doing his job has to do with both the physical and mental challenges that come with carrying out his duties capably and proficiently. “It also comes with knowing that at the end of the day I have contributed to ensuring that our country is safer. Looking at everything happening around the world, and seeing that there are people without the freedoms of speech, religion, movement, and voting rights – things that we as Americans take for granted – makes me extremely proud to be working at ICE and being able to make a difference in our communities,” he says.

 

Working in a diverse environment is also important to Aneke, and is a primary reason he chose ICE as his employer 16 years ago. “The cultural diversity and the zeal with which ICE employees serve the public impressed me from day one, and continues today. Working in a diverse workplace environment, where everyone draws upon differences and varying perspectives, creates an atmosphere of togetherness that brings forth a wealth of knowledge, experience, and ideas that foster an ideal work setting,” states Aneke, who is both active as a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6763 in South Plainfield, NJ and a community volunteer engaged in various fundraising activities in support of individuals in need.

 

“Choosing a career within the federal government is very rewarding, Aneke says. “It offers many opportunities, job security, excellent benefits, and good salary. I would encourage anyone who is motivated and looking for a great career to check out the various federal websites; starting with USAJobs.gov.”

 

U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES 

Supporting the Mission

 

Rendell Jones has held the position of associate director for management at the Washington, D.C.-headquarters of U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) since 2010. A cum laude graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor of science in finance and a master of public administration from North Carolina State University, Jones began his federal service in 1996 as presidential management intern with the Department of Justice (DOJ). He then held various federal government positions with the Department of Justice budget staff, served as an appropriations liaison officer with the Justice Management Division, and additionally spent a year with the department’s Civil Rights Division before accepting a position in the Budget Office of the Department of Homeland Security. In 2006 he joined 19,000-employee USCIS, located within the Department of Homeland Security, as the agency’s first chief financial officer. USCIS is the federal government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States.

 

“My previous work assignments and the valuable mentoring I received from colleagues and managers who recognized my potential are what I most credit with my success,” Jones states. “Over the years I have been fortunate to be part of teams full of professionalism and drive as well as having supervisors who focused on developing their people as well as their work products.”

 

What brought him to USCIS was both an interest in the agency and a desire to contribute to the success of its mission. “Support for team development has been at the forefront of every stage of my career,” says Jones, who believes he made the right decision.

 

As associate director for management, Jones oversees the offices of the Chief Financial Officer, information Technology, Human Capital and Training, Contracting, Administration Intake and Document Production, Equal Opportunity and Inclusion and Security and Integrity. “I enjoy being able to contribute directly to the agency’s mission and support our people on the front line,” he says. He is inspired by those who are likewise committed to carrying out the USCIS mission on a daily basis, as well as doing what is right for individuals who look to this agency for immigration benefits. “What I do makes me want to come to work every day,” he says.

 

For Jones, working in a diverse environment is important. “The benefit of diversity – of perspectives and ideas – allows us to solve problems and assist others. We are not all the same and diversity of opinions, perception, and geography is very helpful in assisting our staff reach sometimes unique solutions,” he states. Because his work “consumes the clock,” Jones regrets not being as active outside the workplace as he would like. He does, however, remain extremely active promoting diversity within his agency. He created and remains involved with a mentorship program available to the 1,300 employees in his directorate for whom he is responsible. Additionally, over the years, he has mentored executives, mid-level supervisors, and front-line employees. “I take personal and professional satisfaction in the success of others, especially those with who I am, and have been, directly involved,” Jones remarks.