About the Award
The Eugene H. Rooney, Jr., Public Service Award highlights human resources development as a planned, continuous effort to provide personal and professional growth opportunities that will enhance employee competency levels. Such activities serve to improve an individual's performance on a currently held job, and/or provide new skills, knowledge and capabilities that will allow an individual to assume a new role in the organization. This award was established to honor the memory of Gene Rooney, who spent the majority of his 22 years in public service as the Deputy Personnel Administrator at the Human Resources Division. Gene strived to create both a learning and team-oriented environment; and personified creativity and innovation in public service. This award is given to those employees who have demonstrated these ideals in the area of human resources learning, development, and training.
Eligibility
Any state, county, city or town employee who has worked in public service for 2 years as of January 1, 2024, is eligible to be nominated for the Eugene H. Rooney, Jr., Public Service Award.
Supervisors, peers, professional colleagues (not including subordinates) and others who are familiar with the employee's accomplishments may nominate an individual or a group.
Award Criteria
The ideal candidate for the Eugene H. Rooney, Jr., Public Service Award demonstrates a measurable accomplishment, which affects individual employees and/or the organization as a whole. Nominations must document the nature of the activity and provide a detailed description of the project and its impact on the organization.
The 2024 nomination period is opening soon! Please check back for updates.
Selection Process
An independent Commonwealth Selection Committee will review all qualified nominations that are submitted by the deadline. Agency and organization leadership must approve all finalist nominees. The Committee's recommendations will be forwarded to the Governor for approval.
It is expected that the final candidates for the Eugene H. Rooney, Jr., Public Service Award be in full compliance, prior to selection, with all Local, State, and Federal tax obligations, and with any court ordered child support obligation. Accordingly, the Department of Revenue will be asked to determine whether the candidate has filed all applicable tax payments and court-ordered child support payments in a timely manner. Additionally, all Commonwealth executive department winners must be in compliance with required statewide and agency trainings or other mandatory employment requirements.
The Governor approves all final selection decisions.