• Individual Award Nomination Form - Employee of the Year
• Team Award Nomination Form - Team of the Year

A critical feature of the nomination is to set forth the achievements that make the individual or the team worthy of recognition by the Division of Air Quality. When nominations are submitted they should highlight how the individual or team displays leadership, skill, ability, and customer service in such a manner that the performance was significantly above those with similar duties, and that the results of these efforts were distinctly beneficial to the Division. In all cases, performance should clearly exceed expectations.

Although specific categories have not been prescribed, each regional office and central office section is encouraged to nominate at least one employee or team. The Employee Recognition Awards Committee will consider all nominations that are submitted in accordance with the instructions and meet the prescribed timelines. Supervisors should broadly distribute the nomination guidelines and should encourage and accept nominations from peers, team members, team leaders, supervisors, and internal customers.

Examples of accomplishments that advance the mission and goals of the Division of Air Quality include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A re-engineered work process which provides better customer service and positive performance outcomes.
• Major improvement to the operation of a process or program by integrating processes.
• An innovative way to deliver a Division of Air Quality program to more customers at no increase in cost.
• A self-directed team that developed ways to do work better, preferably at no additional cost or at less cost.
• A Division of Air Quality program made more accessible to customers.
• A newly developed protocol which has resulted in timely and effective methods, techniques, or processes.
• A strengthened partnership between the Division of Air Quality and its customers.
• A work place with noticeable improvements in employee morale, safety, and/or health.
• Heroism
• Community Service

The notice of the Employee of the Year or Team of the Year "Award for Distinguished Service" are published in December detailing the criteria for nominating an individual or team for this award. Each regional office and central office section is encouraged to nominate at least one employee or team for the award. Nomination forms must be completed at the regional office and section level and reviewed by the respective regional office supervisor or section chief.  In the event that a supervisor is being nominated for an award, the supervisor will not be in line to review the nomination package. This individual's form must be sent to the next supervisor in line above that supervisor for review. The nominations for the Employee of the Year or Team of the Year must be submitted to the Business Officer during the first two weeks of January.

Nominations will be reviewed by the Employee Recognition Awards Committee using prescribed grading criteria. The review process used by the Committee will be facilitated by the Training Consultant. The Committee will meet during January to review and grade all nominations. The Training Consultant will collect the Committee's grading forms. The selection of the winner will be maintained in confidence until announced by the staff leadership.

The Deputy Director and the Training Consultant will select the Employee Recognition Awards Committee. The committee will be made up of the following:

• 1 Section Chief or Branch Supervisor
• 1 Regional Supervisor
• 3 Non-supervisor Employees

The presentation ceremony for "Awards for Distinguished Service" is held in February. At the ceremony the Employee of the Year and Team of the Year will be announced. The nominees for both the individual or team award and their respective supervisor from each regional office and central office section/branch will be invited to the awards presentation ceremony.

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