Performance Recognition Program (PRP)

Now in its 39th year, the annual Performance Recognition Program is an opportunity to formally recognize state employees for their extraordinary contributions to public service.

Based on agency size, each agency is able to issue a certain number of Citations for Outstanding Performance to its employees. 

Also awarded are the prestigious:

• Manuel Carballo Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service 
• Governor Paul Cellucci Award for Leadership & Mentoring in State Government 
• Eugene H. Rooney, Jr. Public Service Award
• Commonwealth Equity in Governance Award

All nominations must be submitted online no later than May 31, 2023.

The Commonwealth selection committee will review the nominations for these four awards and make recommendations to the Governor for her final approval of award recipients. The award winners in those four categories are recognized at an award ceremony with the Governor and Lt. Governor later this year. 

All aspects of the Performance Recognition Program (PRP) are coordinated between the Human Resources Division (HRD) and the designated Agency PRP Coordinators.  Agency PRP coordinators should reach out to PRP2023@mass.gov with any questions they have during the PRP program cycle.

Executive Branch or Higher Education employees who have been in state service for at least two years as of May 1, 2023, may be nominated for a Citation, except those employees currently holding positions to which they were appointed directly by the Governor, employees whose appointments were subject to the formal approval of the Governor and/or College Presidents and Agency Heads.

An individual employee may be nominated by a supervisor, peer, professional colleague or someone else who is familiar with the person's work. An individual may not be nominated by a relative or a subordinate, nor may a person nominate himself or herself.

A group of employees may also be nominated for its performance as a unit. If this is the case, and a group is selected as a winner, the group name is included on the citation with each individual's name printed above the group name on their citation.

In citing the reasons as to why an individual or group of employees should receive a citation, particular emphasis should be placed on one or more of the following:

• Attainment of high priority agency objective(s);
• Exceptional managerial, organizational and/or communications achievements;
• Exemplary leadership;
• Achievement of significant improvements in productivity and/or cost savings in agency operations.
• All nominations must be signed and the nominator's relationship to the nominee(s) clearly specified.

All nominations must be submitted online no later than May 31, 2023.

The Agency Selection Committee chooses its 2023 citation winners based on the size of the agency.

Nominations should reflect the diversity of the workforce (i.e., position level, gender, race, ethnicity, as well as individuals with disabilities and veterans).

Citation Numbers By Agency are as Follows:

About the Award

The Manuel Carballo Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service is presented to employees who selflessly personify a deep commitment to serving the people of the Commonwealth and exemplify the highest standards of public service. This award was established in memory of Manuel Carballo who served as Secretary of Health and Human Services. His dedication to excellence in public service inspires us all to strive for greatness. The award, in his name, is given to 10 employees, or groups of employees, who demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation, and creativity.

Eligibility

Executive Branch or Higher Education employees who have been in state service for 2 years as of May 1, 2023 are eligible to be nominated for the Manuel Carballo Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service. 

Award Criteria

The Selection Committee will use one or more of the following criteria in selecting an individual or group for the Manuel Carballo Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service:

· Exceptional accomplishments;
· Exemplary leadership;
· Creativity and innovation;
· Achievement of significant improvements in productivity and/or costs savings in agency operations.

All nominations must be submitted online no later than May 31, 2023.

Selection Process

The Commonwealth Selection Committee will review nominations. The Committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the Governor for approval.

It is expected that the final candidate(s) for the Manuel Carballo Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service 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.

The Governor makes all final selection decisions.

About the Award

The Governor Paul Cellucci Award for Leadership and Mentoring in State Government was established with the purpose of honoring an outstanding leader in the area of mentoring in the workplace. Governor Cellucci embodied what it meant to be a public servant who gave selflessly of himself while engaging others to embrace public service and instilling a philosophy of paying it forward.  The Award for Leadership and Mentoring in State Government, bearing his name, honors outstanding leaders in the area of mentoring in the workplace and the fostering of a supportive and learning environment amongst colleagues.   

Recipients of this award play a vital role in preparing the Commonwealth's workforce of tomorrow by serving as a teacher, role model, and confidante to either a subordinate or peer in the workplace. The candidate for the Governor Paul Cellucci Award for Leadership and Mentoring in State Government has made an ongoing commitment to the professional development of their fellow employee, sharing their expertise and transferring their knowledge in a capacity that goes far beyond the standard expectations of the job. 

Eligibility

Executive Branch or Higher Education employees who have been in state service for 2 years as of May 1, 2023, are eligible to be nominated for the Governor Paul Cellucci Award for Leadership and Mentoring in State Government. This is an individual award; groups are not eligible for nomination.

An individual may be nominated by a supervisor, peer, subordinate, professional colleague or someone who is familiar with the person's work.

Agency heads and college presidents are not eligible to receive this award.

Award Criteria

The ideal candidate for the Governor Paul Cellucci Award for Leadership and Mentoring in State Government:

• Is passionate about good government and the important services being provided to the agency's customers and clients;
• Plays a direct role in the professional development of a fellow employee within his or her department on an ongoing, day-to-day, basis;
• Serves as a resource and mentor to that individual;
• Helps the individual reach their goals;
• Shares his or her own valuable time and knowledge;
• Shows a continued interest in the individual's growth and development;
• Provides leadership in the workplace;
• Inspires others to serve as mentors and plays a part in succession planning in the workplace.

All nominations must be submitted online no later than May 31, 2023.

Selection Process

The Commonwealth Selection Committee will review nominations. The Committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the Governor for approval.

It is expected that the final candidate(s) for the Governor Paul Cellucci Award for Leadership and Mentoring in State Government 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.

The Governor makes all final selection decisions.

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 attitudes 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 twenty-two years of public service as Deputy Personnel Administrator at the Human Resources Division. Gene strived to create both a learning and team-oriented environment; he personified creativity and innovation in public service. This award is given to those public employees who have demonstrated these ideals in the area of human resources development and training. 

Eligibility

Any state, county, city or town employee who has worked in public service for 2 years as of May 1, 2023, is eligible to be nominated for the Eugene H. Rooney, Jr., Public Service Award.

Supervisors, peers, professional colleagues (not including subordinates) and someone else who is familiar with the employee's accomplishments may nominate an individual or 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. The nominator must document the nature of the activity and provide a detailed description of the project and its impact on the organization.

All nominations must be submitted online no later than May 31, 2023.

Selection Process

The Commonwealth Selection Committee will review nominations. The Committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the Governor for approval.

It is expected that the final candidate(s) 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.

The Governor makes all final selection decisions.

About the Award

Equity in Government consists of: the fair, just and equitable (a) management of public agencies, (b) development and implementation of public policy; and/or, (c) delivery of and access to state services.

The Commonwealth Equity in Governance Award is given annually to an employee or group of employees who have demonstrated commitment to and attainment of the principles of equity in one or more areas of government operations: human resources activity that promotes diversity and inclusion, procurement activity that promotes the participation of minority business enterprises and women business enterprises, policy development and/or implementation (including the development and implementation of regulations, program policies, and/or rules), and/or improving access and/or accessibility (physical or programmatic) to state programs or the delivery of state services.

Eligibility

Any state employee who has worked in public service for 2 years as of May 1, 2023, is eligible to be nominated for the Commonwealth Equity in Governance Award. Supervisors, peers, professional colleagues (not including subordinates) and someone else who is familiar with the employee's accomplishments may nominate an individual or group.

Award Criteria

The ideal candidate for the Commonwealth Equity in Governance Award is an employee or group of employees who has:

• Demonstrated commitment to the principle of equity (non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion) in the one or more areas of government operations - human resources, procurement, policy development and/or implementation, access to state programs and activities, and/or the delivery of state services,
• Shown leadership in promoting the principle of equity,
• Achieved significant outcomes in promoting equity in governance in agency operations.

All nominations must be submitted online no later than May 31, 2023.

Selection Process

The Commonwealth Selection Committee will review nominations. The Selection Committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the Governor for approval.

It is expected that the final candidate(s) for the Commonwealth Equity in Governance 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.

The Governor shall make all final selection decisions.