Kathy Osterman Award Recognizing Superior Public Service

43rd Annual Award Program 2011 Nomination Instructions

The Kathy Osterman Award Program is bestowed upon outstanding public service employees in each of the following categories:

1. Outstanding Executive Employee Any non-elected individual responsible for the functioning of a department or agency (bureau, unit, division) who has policy making responsibilities and reports directly to the chief executive officer or to a board or commission.

2. Outstanding Professional Employee Any individual employed in a profession such as social work, physical or biological sciences, medicine, engineering, architecture, health, law, accounting, education or research. Employees nominated in this category may be employed at any level.

3. Outstanding Supervisory Employee Any individual responsible for directing the work of others. This covers all administrative and supervisory levels in any occupational area, including professional employees.

4. Outstanding Clerical Employee Any individual working in a clerical, secretarial or administrative capacity. This includes all positions involving typing and stenography, personal computer operation, record keeping, customer service or any kind of general clerical work.

5. Outstanding Public Safety Employee Any individual employed in the area of public safety. This includes positions directly related to the performance of police, fire and guard duty, accident prevention and instruction.

6. Outstanding Educational Employee Any public educator employed in classroom teaching. This special category was established in 1988, as a memorial to the late Mayor Harold Washington.

7. Outstanding General Service Employee This includes any individual not covered in the above categories. Nominees may be selected from any level or occupation.

8. Excellence in Leadership (separate nomination form) Nominations from Department or Agency Heads only for individuals exemplifying outstanding leadership skills, excellence in the performance of their duties and the ability to resolve challenging or complex issues impacting the City of Chicago. Further, this person routinely serves above and beyond the expected call of duty.

Nine winners and sixteen finalists will be selected.

Eligibility Requirements • Nominees must have a minimum of five years of public service employment. • Only active employees are eligible. Retirees are not eligible. • The completed nomination form must be submitted by June 27, 2011. • Previous winners of this award in any of the seven categories are ineligible. • Former nominees may again be nominated by their agency; however, such

nominations must be brought up to date. • Consultants and agency heads are not eligible for nomination.

Nomination Submission Instructions

Complete all sections of the Kathy Osterman Award Nomination form. A hard copy of the form is included in this packet and you will receive an electronic version of the form via email. Be specific, factual and quantitative in your description of the nominee’s career in public service.

Identify the nominee and the award category for which she/he is being nominated on each page.

Submit one complete hard copy of the Nomination Form for each nominee.

Limit three nominations per category. An individual may be nominated for only one category.

Nomination forms must be signed by the department/agency head.

Note: Evaluation of submitted nominations will be based solely on the information submitted to the selection committee, via the nomination form. The selection committee will consist of representatives from all participating agencies. Therefore, it is important for the information provided on the form to address the following criteria:

Evidence of progression throughout their public service career Description of the accomplishments of the nominee A demonstrated record of competence or sustained efficiency A record of integrity and devotion to public service Participation in community affairs/projects

Significant contributions throughout public service and additional factors related to the candidate’s qualifications as an award nominee

Participating Agencies Include:

• City of Chicago • Chicago Park District • City Colleges of Chicago • Chicago Public Schools • Chicago Transit Authority • Chicago Housing Authority