Governor pushes $5K awards for outstanding public employees
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Empire Star Public Service Award – a $5,000 professional development scholarship for public employees who have distinguished themselves through meaningful contributions to state government and have demonstrated their dedication to serve with a high level of performance, integrity and pride.
“Every day, the hardworking men and women who comprise state’s public workforce strive to serve and help improve the lives of their fellow New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “There are those however, that go beyond simply what is routinely asked of them and display an admirable level of dedication and pride in their work. These individuals serve as a model of what all of us in public service should aspire to become and with the Empire Star Award, we will not only recognize them for their contributions to building a better New York, but support them as they continue to develop as professionals.”
New York State’s public workforce is comprised of a diverse and dedicated group of remarkable men and women who provide invaluable services to millions of their fellow New Yorkers every day. From plow drivers, to home health aides, to first responders, engineers, nurses, research scientists, and more, this workforce boasts many of the nation’s best and brightest professionals. While every employee’s contribution is important and appreciated, many individual contributors often stand-out by exceeding what is simply expected of them in their day-to-day work as well as in unforeseen circumstances and emergencies.
The Empire Star Public Service Award will highlight the significant contributions that our public employees make to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of New York; strengthen employee engagement and commitment to their jobs; provide management with a new tool to acknowledge the significant contributions that our public employees make every day; as well as promote New York State as an employer that recognizes the contributions of its workforce.
Individuals or teams will be nominated by their fellow state employees via the Empire Star Public Service Award website and an Awards Selection Committee will review all nominations and recommend winners to the Governor. Empire Star awardees may use their scholarship for professional development, which can include participating in advanced training via classroom or on-line courses, matriculating in college or community college classes that will benefit them in their current public employment, as well as for materials and equipment to support additional training.
