National Training Center Coordinators and Instructors Recognition Program Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 14:49:28 -0400 From: "Catherine L. Hill" To: "A - Division Chief and Staff", "B - Branch Chiefs and Offices", "S - Special Distribution for Research", "FO - State, District, Subdistrict and other Field Offices", "PO - Project Offices" CC: "Dianne Jeffries, Employee Development Pgm Mgr, Reston, VA ", Catherine L Hill , "Norman EJr. Schmidt" , Alice C Dilandro , Katherine M Long , "Carole Nethaway, Secretary (OA), Reston, VA ", " WRD Archive File, " Subject: WRD Memo No. 99.28-NTC Coordinators and Instructors Recognition Program In Reply Refer To: Mail Stop 441 WATER RESOURCES DIVISION MEMORANDUM NO. 99.28 Subject: National Training Center Coordinators and Instructors Recognition Program The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recognizes that the success of its Employee Development Program is dependent upon the quality and dedication of its instructor corps and those individuals assigned responsibility for identifying, recruiting, and coordinating the talent needed to provide an effective learning experience. As a supplement to supervisor-generated performance-based awards, the National Training Center (NTC) has instituted a four-tiered recognition program for course coordinators and instructors and other individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the division's employee development activities. This recognition program is based on longevity and quality of service. Each tier is designed to recognize course coordinators and instructors for comparable levels of contribution. The honorary value of the recognition increases with each tier. Tier 4 represents the highest level recognition. The NTC staff will administratively and monetarily support the process for each tier of the program. Tier 1 The NTC will present a certificate of appreciation to each coordinator after completion of the course with a copy to their immediate supervisor. The NTC will also prepare letters of appreciation for the signature of the course coordinator to each instructor with a copy to the instructor's immediate supervisor. A specially designed mug will be presented to all new coordinators and instructors after completion of their initial efforts. Tier 2 After 100 hours of quality teaching time as confirmed by course critiques and endorsed by the upline Senior Staff member, an instructor will be presented a $250 (gross) STAR award from the NTC and a letter of appreciation from the office sponsoring the class. Coordinators will be eligible for this recognition after 3 quality coordination efforts (confirmed by course critiques and endorsed by the upline Senior Staff member). NTC data indicate that this tier would be reached by about 10 individuals in any given year. Tier 3 After 200 hours of quality teaching time as confirmed by course critiques and endorsed by the upline Senior Staff member, an instructor will receive a specially designed commemorative plaque for outstanding service to the employee development program and a letter of appreciation signed by the Chief Hydrologist. It will probably take "major" instructors about 5 years to reach this level of contribution and would be a career effort for the "casual" instructor. Coordinators will be eligible for this recognition after 6 quality course coordinations. Tier 4 The Chief Hydrologist will request nominations from the field in July of each year for candidates to be considered by the Human Resources Management Committee (HRMC) for the division's highest level of recognition for exceptional or sustained contributions in support of its employee development activities. Nominees must have provided more than 400 hours of quality instruction or comparable coordination as confirmed by NTC or technical discipline office records, or have made a singular contribution of exceptional value to the quality of the division's Employee Development Program. The nomination will be in the form of a citation similar to that required for a departmental honor award (see DOI Human Resources Management Handbook, Awards and Recognition Program). The HRMC will evaluate nominations at its August meeting and recommend to the Chief Hydrologist no more than two candidates for this prestigious honor each year. The recognition will include the citation on USGS letterhead and a certificate with the USGS seal, both signed by the Chief Hydrologist; a $1,000 (gross) STAR award; and inclusion of the name of the recipient on a "Distinguished Service" plaque permanently mounted in the NTC facility. These awards will be presented by the Chief Hydrologist in an appropriate ceremony annually. Catherine L. Hill Associate Chief Hydrologist for Program Operations Distribution: A, B, S, FO, PO