In our “I Am DOL” series, we’re highlighting employees who work in a wide range of roles at the Department of Labor but who all share a passion for public service.
Derek Smith, an investigator in the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, helps make sure federal contractors meet legal requirements to take affirmative action and to not discriminate against workers on the basis of race, color, sex and other protected categories. We sat down with Derek to ask him a few questions about his career path.
As a little boy in the 1960s, Derek saw his mother, uncles and grandparents marching and advocating for their civil rights. Today, he helps enforce the laws they fought for.
“Now, I get to play a small, but very important part, in advancing their legacy through the mission and work of the OFCCP,” he said.
In fact, OFCCP was created after Executive Order 11246 was issued by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965 – the year after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became the law of the land. The executive order was a landmark in a series of federal actions aimed at ending racial, religious and ethnic discrimination.
Amended and further strengthened over the years, it continues to protect the rights of workers employed by federal contractors — approximately 1/5 of the U.S. labor force — to remain free from discrimination on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, as well as opening the doors of opportunity through its affirmative action provisions.
Unfortunately, as Derek noted, many workers do not know that OFCCP exists — let alone what it is that we do. And there are also a lot of workers who don’t realize that they’re being discriminated against.
That’s where Derek’s job as an investigator comes in. As an investigator, Derek’s authority allows him to examine the workplace practices of each company he examines to ensure the company is complying with its legal obligations to treat workers in a fair, equitable and nondiscriminatory manner. To be found in violation of the various laws Derek enforces often means the offending company will have to compensate applicants or employees for the harm they have suffered. In many cases this will mean providing a job offer, back pay or other benefits of employment that were lost due to the company’s discriminatory acts.
Besides the fulfillment he finds in his work, Derek also says OFCCP provides the flexibility he needs to balance his work and family obligations. This was put to the test in 2023 when Derek experienced a sudden and unexpected increase in the level of medical care needed for his wife and mother. “Caring for my wife and mother meant a lot of doctor and hospital visits, in addition to home health care I had to provide. Trying to balance all of this along with my job and the other areas of life that have to be managed… I was so very thankful that OFCCP was able to offer the time and flexibility I needed during one of the toughest times of my life,” he said.
And Derek’s advice for others considering a career in OFFCP or any other office with the U.S. Department of Labor? “Whatever your background, education, life experience, or interests, DOL is a place where you can chart the career path of your dreams,” he said. “With 27 separate agencies, and more than 100 offices, directorates, and departments, DOL offers a plethora of exciting employment opportunities.”
Editor’s note: Interested in a career at the Labor Department? Learn more about what it means to be part of our team at dol.gov/careers, and then view current openings and apply via USAJOBS. For more information about the Schedule A hiring authority, check out these tips from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Please note that you must meet the minimum qualifications outlined in the position description. We encourage you to describe any life experiences in your application that are relevant to the position and the mission of the Labor Department.
