Affirmative Action Officer

MnDOT Policy #WF033
Effective: February 15, 2022
Reviewed: February 28, 2024

Please go to the MnDOT Org Chart to find specific contact information: Org Chart.

Responsible Senior Officer: Deputy Commissioner/Chief Administrative Officer
Policy Owner: Director, Office of Human Resources
Policy Contact: Human Resources Staffing Manager

Policy statement

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) fully adopts the enterprise policy, Affirmative Action Officers, HR/LR #1379, which clarifies the minimum staffing requirements, position classification requirements, and reporting relationships for the Affirmative Action Officer (AAO) position in state agencies. Minnesota Statutes §43A.191, establishes requirements for designating an agency AAO and describes the duties of an AAO. Minnesota Management and Budget ensures that the enterprise policy is accurate, updated, and that relevant interpretations of law are considered.

Reason for policy

MnDOT is committed to non-discrimination in its employment practices and providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees. The affirmative action program is a powerful tool to promote equal access to MnDOT employment opportunities and to ensure compliance with non-discrimination employment policies and practices.

Agencies are required to adopt the enterprise policy.

Applicability

All MnDOT employees must comply with this policy.

Key stakeholders with responsibilities under this policy include:

Commissioner
Affirmative Action Officer

Definitions

Affirmative Action Officer

An agency employee who has primary responsibility for development and maintenance of the agency’s affirmative action plan.

Responsibilities

Commissioner

Together with the Affirmative Action Officer, prepare and implement MnDOT’s affirmative action plan consistent with Minn. Stat. §§ 43A.191 and 43A.08, subdivision 1a.
Conduct the Affirmative Action Officer’s annual performance review with respect to affirmative action activities.
Annually review the agency’s affirmative action plan performance.
Provide direct access for the AAO to report any concerns about the agency’s affirmative action program.

Affirmative Action Officer

Promote equal employment opportunity.
Develop and maintain MnDOT’s affirmative action plan.
Conduct affirmative action inquiries.
Advise on, critique, and investigate MnDOT operations as they pertain to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and/or non-discrimination.
Act in a timely and appropriate manner to promote and encourage an agency’s compliance with affirmation action plan requirements and legal requirements regarding equal opportunity and non-discrimination.

Policy Owner (Director, Office of Human Resources)

Review the policy every two years, or whenever MMB makes changes to the enterprise policy, to ensure the policy remains up to date.
Ensure supporting documents associated with the policy remain current.
Monitor state, federal, enterprise, agency, or other requirements that apply to the policy or procedures.
Consult with the Office of Chief Counsel to ensure the policy and procedures remain compliant with all state, federal, enterprise, agency, or other requirements.
Ensure that necessary approvals by state or federal agencies are obtained before changes to the policy or procedures are implemented.
Work with the Policy Coordinator to revise the policy and/or confirm its accuracy.
Communicate policy revisions, reviews, and retirements to stakeholders.

Resources

Enterprise Affirmative Action Officers Policy, HR/LR #1379
Minnesota Statutes §43A.191
Business Data Catalog (BDC) – accessible from employee Intranet
MnDOT’s Policy Website

History and updates

Adopted

February 15, 2022

Policy Review

February 28, 2024 - Added 3 policy owner responsibilities to match revised template; changed term “statewide” to “enterprise” in reference to MMB enterprise policy

This policy's next scheduled review is due February 2026.