The following policy formalizes the award criteria for a Bravo Pin Award – where the Department honors and recognizes our employees for exceptional work. Exceptional is defined as better than average, superior, or deviating from the norm. The Bravo Pin Award is a motivational tool to be used at the Department Director level to award exceptional performance.

1. Introduction

In December 2015, the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) asked to have standard, written guidelines to address the award of a “Bravo Pin” to primarily recognize department blue collar employees for exceptional work performance. The “Bravo Pin”award will have three levels of award – gold, silver and bronze. It is the intent of this policy to provide easily understood criteria for the recommendation and subsequent award throughout PRD.

2. General

The purpose of the Bravo Pin Award Program is to provide an internal Parks and Recreation Department process that supports achievement, dedication and passion within the work place. The award is meant to honor those employees that come to work and perform above and beyond the call of duty. It is easy to underestimate the power of a pat on the back, especially with top performers who are intrinsically motivated. Everyone likes kudos, none more so than those who work hard and give their all.

3. Levels of Award

All Bravo Pin Awards will be presented / awarded by the Department Director. The following checklists are provided to guide division managers in their recommendation of the level of the Bravo Pin. All Bravo Pin awards must be recommended in writing to the Director via the Deputy Directors by the Division Manager.

Gold Award Criteria / Director Level Award:

The “Gold” Pin award is meant to be the highest level of department recognition. Employees that merit a “Gold” Pin Award should be considered for the City’s Employee of the Week Award. The criteria for the award of a Gold Bravo Pin include the following. These bullet points are meant to be used as a suggestion and are not all inclusive.

  • The work or action performed falls into the category of excellent citizenship.
  • The work or action performed was of a lifesaving nature –above and beyond City requirements.
  • The work or action performed was recognized by City Council.
  • The work or action performed serves as a positive role model for City employees.
  • The work or action performed falls into the category of excellent citizenship.
  • The work oraction performed falls into the category of exemplary teamwork by a group of employees.
  • The work or action performed can be described as the successful completion of a project relating to the department’s performance objectives or substantial capital improvement projects.
  • The work or action performed honors the employee for having received one or more Silver and/or Bronze Bravo Pin awards.

Silver Award Criteria / Division Manager or Superintendent Award:

The “Silver”Pin award is meant to be an intermediate level of department recognition. The criteria for the award of a Silver Bravo Pin include the following. These bullet points are meant to be used as a suggestion and are not all inclusive.

  • The work or action performed has been recognized by Albuquerque citizens, residents or visitors. This recognition could be through a telephone call, an email or a positive 311 comment.
  • The work or action performedhas been recognized by other City departments at the Division Manager and above level.
  • The work or action performed was “taken on” as a pilot project for the City, the Department or the Division. This recognition is meant to reward the “risk takers” within the Division.
  • The work or action performed honors the employee for having received one or more Bronze Bravo Pin awards.

Bronze Award Criteria / Supervisor or Cluster Manager Award:

The “Bronze” Pin award is meant to be the entry level award for department recognition. The criteria for the award of a “Bronze” Bravo Pin include the following. These bullet points are not meant to be used as a suggestion and are not all inclusive.

  • The work or action performed demonstrates significant initiative on the part of the division employee.
  • The work or action performed demonstrates extreme dependability on the part of the employee.
  • The work or action performed demonstrates frugality – the ability to save money for the City.

4. Recommendations of Award

Recommendations of award must be forwarded in writing by the Division Managers through the Deputy Directors. Division manager recommendations will not always justify the presentation of an award. The recommendation of award form follows.

5. The Award Process

Each Bravo Pin Award will be accompanied with a certificate, a Bravo Pin, and the memorandum or email that started the process. A copy of the certificate of award and recommendation of award must be placed in the employee’s file. Certificates of award follow.

Bravo Pin Award Policy DRAFT 2 2016Page 1