Fsh 6109.13 - Performance, Training, and Awards Handbook

FSH 6109.13 - PERFORMANCE, TRAINING, AND AWARDS HANDBOOK 6/88 R-1 SUPPLEMENT 2

CHAPTER 30 - INCENTIVE AWARDS

31- TYPES OF AWARDS

31.14 - Forest Service Awards

Regional Forester's Awards Program

The Regional Forester has established a series of special awards to recognize exceptional performance or outstanding contributions and accomplishments to improve the efficiency and quality of Forest Service administrative and resource programs in Region 1. The Regional Foerster's Awards Program includes the following Awards:

1. Regional Forester's Honor Award

2. Regional Forester's Civil Rights/EEO Award

3. Regional Forester's Special Act or Service Award

4. Regional Forester's Citizens' Public Service Award.

Specific criteria for each award is as follows:

Regional Forester's Honor Award

Annually, the Regional Forester will present one or more special awards to Region 1 employees or groups for exceptional contribution and accomplishment to improve the efficiency and quality of Forest Service administrative and resource programs in Regional 1, including but not limited to such areas as:

1. Environmental Protection. 2. Management Effectiveness and Improvement. 3. Safety and Health. 4. Heroic Action. 5. Support Personnel. 6. Unit Achievements. 7. Service Concept. 8. Resource Management. FSH 6109.13 - PERFORMANCE, TRAINING, AND AWARDS HANDBOOK 6/88 R-1 SUPPLEMENT 2

Regional Forester's Civil Rights/EEO Award

Annually, the Regional Forester will present one or more special awards to Region 1 employees or groups for exceptional contribution and accomplishment in the area of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity within the Region, including, but not limited to such areas as:

1. Civil Rights compliance activities 2. Support of Equal Employment Opportunities 3. Affirmative Action achievements 4. Career development 5. Cooperative education 6. Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program (FEORP) 7. Federal Women's Program 8. Handicapped Programs and Veterans Programs 9. Junior Fellowship Program 10. Native American/Hispanic Programs 11. Upward Mobility 12. Minority Business Contracting 13. Minority and Handicapped use of Forest Service facilities 14. Awareness Education 15. Public Involvement and Outreach Programs

The Honor Award and Civil Rights/EEO Award winners will normally be submitted as candidates to the USDA Honor Awards Program.

Regional Forester's Special Act or Service Award

The Regional Forester will present Special Act or Service Awards to recognize the Region's top managers and staff for excellence in contributing to outstanding management of the Region's resources. These may include such awards as "Outstanding Forest Supervisor," "Outstanding Ranger," Outstanding Staff," and Unit awards, such as "Land Ethic Award," "Best Safety Record," and various other awards for special achievement.

Criteria for these awards include, but is not limited to:

1. An outstanding special act or service, contributing to the development, management, and/or protection of the Region's resources, including human resources, soil productivity, water quality, long term timber productivity, range, conditions, fisheries and wildlife resources, fire hazard reduction, wilderness and recreational resources, and/or reduction in insect and disease hazards.

2. Demonstrated concern for service to the Public as evidenced by outstanding external relations.

3. Demonstrated exceptional flexibility in dealing with changing priorities and emerging issues. FSH 6109.13 - PERFORMANCE, TRAINING, AND AWARDS HANDBOOK 6/88 R-1 SUPPLEMENT 2 FSH 6109.13 - PERFORMANCE, TRAINING, AND AWARDS HANDBOOK 6/88 R-1 SUPPLEMENT 2

Regional Forester's Public Service Award

Annually, the Regional Forester will recognize one or more citizens or private organizations who have worked diligently in support of Forest Service land management practices, often silently or without appropriate recognition. Citizens and private organizations who have made a significant contribution to the Forest Service multiple-use land management, administration, and protection efforts should be considered for nomination.

Eligibility For Awards

All Region 1 employees in any grade, group, or Unit are eligible for the Regional Forester's Honor Award, the Regional Forester's Civil Rights/EEO Award, and the Regional Forester's Special Act or Service Awards.

Supervisor's, managers, EEO officers, EEO counselors, Federal Women's Program managers, Hispanic Employment Program managers, and EEO managers are also eligible for the Civil Rights/EEO Award if their contributions resulted in outstanding improvements.

Nominating and Selection Process

Nominations for the Regional Forester's Honor Award and Civil Rights/EEO Awards are due by August 1, annually, in the Regional Office, Personnel Management. An Ad Hoc Committee will be established by the Regional Forester to screen and recommend nominees for approval from the nominations received.

Nominations for the Honor Award and the Civil Rights/EEO Awards are submitted on Form AD-495, "Honor Award Nomination." These awards may be submitted for an individual, team, task force, or working unit. Persons contributing to the same project need not be headquartered at the same location.

Local Unit recognition of he employee's accomplishment does not preclude nomination for the Regional Forester's Awards. Such local recognition if, in fact, encouraged prior to submission of the nomination for these Awards. A nominee not selected for the Regional Forester's Honor Award or the Civil Rights/EEO Award should be considered for recognition locally.

Nominations for the Regional Forester's Special Act or Service Awards will be made when requested by the Regional Forester. Selection of recipients for the Regional Forester's Special Act or Nominations should summarize the contribution or special achievement, highlighting the environment or situation that makes this act or service uniquely outstanding.

Nominations for the Citizens Public Service Award may be made any time to the Regional Forester. These nominations may be made by documenting in detail the outstanding accomplishments/contributions of the citizen or private organization in outline format. A cover letter signed by the Forest Supervisor or Staff Director, conveying support of the nomination, should accompany the documentation. FSH 6109.13 - PERFORMANCE, TRAINING, AND AWARDS HANDBOOK 6/88 R-1 SUPPLEMENT 2

Nominees will be evaluated and selected by the Regional Forester's Office.

Award Presentation Ceremonies

Awards will be presented by the Regional Forester in an appropriate ceremony. Recognition of employees will consist of a plaque and a cash award. The amount of the award will be commensurate with the value of the achievement. Unit awards will consist of a plaque.

Persons or organizations selected to receive the Public Service Award will receive a plaque in recognition of their cooperative service.

Relationship to the USDA Honor Awards Program

The winners of the Regional Forester's Honor and Civil Rights/EEO Awards will normally be included in the Region's nominations to the USDA Honor Awards Program each October.