To support our state agencies' efforts to show appreciation for the outstanding work and initiatives completed by our amazing Human Resource employees, CSPA created the Excellence in HR Awards program as an additional avenue for rewards & recognition within state government. Each year, we host an awards ceremony during our annual conference as a platform for showcasing talent, ingenuity, and great customer service among our peers.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Individual award categories are: HR Unsung Hero, HR Rising Star, and HR Professional of the Year. These categories are open to any eligible employee (based on current CSPA eligibility criteria) currently working in a position of HR responsibility who is an active member and/or contributor of CSPA and:

An applicable candidate would be consistently professional, positive, courteous, friendly, serve as a role model, mentor, lead by example, show initiative, serve above and beyond and consistently work outside normal parameters of job class.

 Unsung HR Hero

Heralds the behind-the-scenes work and voluntary contributions of an HR professional in the field of Human Resources. Click here to download the nomination form. 

HR Rising Star

Recognizes an HR professional early in their career who has demonstrated the potential today to be an HR leader of tomorrow. Click here to download the nomination form.

 HR Professional of the Year

Recognizes an HR professional for significant contributions and achievements in Human Resources management. Click here to download the nomination form.

Team award categories are: Innovative Recruitment Strategy, Diversity & Inclusion Initiative, and HR Team of the Year. These categories are open to any eligible teams, groups, or units in which at least one individual is an active member and/or contributor of CSPA having implemented or provided a human resources project/initiative which significantly improved/enhanced the delivery of human resources to customers in a specific area. Said entity should be characterized by initiative, creativity, innovation, and commitment to HR excellence.  

Said entity could have been put together for a specific project or consist of members who regularly work together but performed over and above expectations in serving internal and/or external customers.

 Innovative Recruitment Strategy

Spotlights the innovative recruitment strategy of an HR team to recruit talent in the ever-increasing competitive landscape. Click here to download the nomination form.

 Diversity & Inclusion Initiative Award

Acknowledges the efforts of an HR team in evolving the cause of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, etc. Click here to download the nomination form.

 HR Team of the Year

Recognizes an HR team for significant contributions and achievements in Human Resources management. Click here to download the nomination form.

Evaluation Criteria

Nominations received for award recipients are evaluated based on the following:

• Dates of project/initiative start and completion
• Objective(s) of the project/initiative
• Target audience
• Strategy or implementation of the project/initiative
• How the nominee(s) exceeded expectations
• Improvements the nominee(s) made in the delivery of HR services or how they helped to foster excellence in human resources within the work environment, community and state government
• Creative and innovative achievements the nominee(s) developed to provide outstanding human resource service delivery to customers 
• Role of the nominee(s) in the implementation of the project/initiative
• Extent to which the commitment of the nominee(s) to HR excellence impacted the customer(s) or resulted in a more efficient work environment
• Overall evaluation of the outcomes

Submission Guidelines

In addition to the form, we accept up to three pages of narrative for each nominee.  Additionally, the nomination may include supporting material such as DVDs, videos, photographs, letters, etc.

Please submit downloaded forms, per category, directly to our Program Chair as follows:

Craig E. Southern

Council for State Personnel Administration

C/O State Road & Tollway Authority (SRTA)

245 Peachtree Center Avenue, 2200 Floor

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

csouthern@srta.ga.gov

For more information, contact Craig Southern directly at (404) 893-6105.