Director's Award for DEIA Excellence

Purpose

This award recognizes exemplary contributions by Indian Health Service (IHS) managers, supervisors, non-supervisory employees, contractors, and teams who work to cultivate an inclusive, diverse, fair, equitable, and accessible workplace.

Eligibility:

All IHS employees or teams of employees, including Tribal employees and contractors. Teams may consist of employees from the same organization or from a number of different organizations.

Criteria:

Achievements in advancing the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. Some examples include:

• Efforts to utilize hiring flexibilities and special hiring authorities to increase underrepresented groups (e.g., Schedule A hiring for persons with disabilities, Veterans, student internships, and fellowships).
• Outreach efforts to meet established hiring goals for persons with disabilities and targeted disabilities.
• Development of innovative approaches to increasing early resolution of workplace disputes.
• Efforts to promote a discrimination-free and safe workplace free of harassment and sexual harassment.
• Development of a program or processes to promote an inclusive and welcoming work environment.
• Engagement in activities that support special emphasis programs, affinity groups, and employee resources groups (e.g., Individual with Disabilities, Women, LGBTQ+/Two-Spirit).
• Provides access to career development opportunities relevant to an employee’s desired career goals.