Jamie Anderson has a tall order to fill.
As the human resource/equal employment opportunity specialist for Fort Dodge, Anderson works with the city's Human Rights Commission to eliminate discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, credit on the basis of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, color, national origin and religion.
It's a long list and a long process that requires Anderson to be flexible, she said.
A native of Manson, Anderson received a bachelor's degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids.
After marrying Josh Anderson, a Marine, she moved with him to North Carolina, where she worked at a community college.
''I worked with a diverse population of individuals,'' she said. ''I developed a real appreciation for diversity.''
While in North Carolina, Anderson completed her master's degree through Webster University.
In 2005, Anderson and her husband decided to move back to north central Iowa to be closer to family, she said.
She began working with the city of Fort Dodge part time, in a position that evolved into what she does today.
Anderson serves as the first contact for people who feel they've suffered discrimination.
''They can come in and we'll walk through the process,'' Anderson said.
People can file a formal complaint with her office. Complaints are kept confidential until they are scheduled for a public hearing.
After the complaint is filed, the respondent is notified and requested to respond to the claim, which Anderson then investigates.
With the material gathered during the investigation, the city's seven-member Human Rights Commission meets to make one of three decisions - probable cause, meaning discrimination probably occurred; no probable cause, meaning discrimination probably did not occur; or administrative closure, in which the case is closed.
''It can take six months to resolve a complaint,'' said Anderson.
Anderson praised the diligence of commission members, who are volunteers appointed by the City Council.
''They are great members of the community,'' she said.
In addition to preventing discrimination, Anderson also works to help develop a more diverse population, she said.
As a co-chair of the Fort Dodge/Webster County Cultural Diversity Team, Anderson helps coordinate programs such as ''National Night Out,'' a neighborhood unity event that will be held Tuesday.
''We want people to get out and meet their neighbors,'' Anderson said.
Just knowing who is in your neighborhood can help facilitate more positive relations between people, Anderson said.
Contact Jesse Helling at (515) 573-2141 or jhelling@messengernews.net
