The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary’s awards recognize the accomplishments of individuals and/or teams of employees throughout the Department. Usually granted on an annual basis, the frequency of these honorary awards is determined solely by DHS. At the discretion of the DHS Secretary, nominations are solicited from across the Department for these awards. Nominations must be approved by the nominee’s supervisory chain of command and the Commandant before being forwarded to DHS for selection. Below is a list of the DHS Secretary’s awards:
- Secretary’s Exceptional Service Gold Medal Award - This is the highest award for service granted by the Secretary. The award honors exceptional leadership or service distinguished by achievements of unique national or international significance, reflecting great credit on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by markedly improving the security of our homeland. The Secretary may present the award to an individual or a group. Typically, the Department will grant only one award in this category annually.
- Secretary’s Award for Leadership Excellence - This award recognizes an individual and a team that exemplifies the Department of Homeland Security’s leadership philosophy, principles, and core values of integrity, vigilance, and respect. Puts employees first, and inspires and motivates others. This award is named for the first Secretary of the Department, Tom Ridge, who embodied these qualities.
- Secretary’s Meritorious Service Silver Medal Award - This award is the second highest award presented by the Secretary and recognizes outstanding leadership, superior public service or unusually significant contributions to strengthening homeland security. It may recognize a body of work regarding remarkable innovation or notable resourcefulness and diligence that improved the effectiveness of one or more DHS missions. The Department will present no more than fifteen awards in this category annually.
- Secretary’s Award for Valor - This award is the highest recognition for extraordinary acts of valor occurring either on or off duty. The employee will have demonstrated selfless response by performing courageously in a highly dangerous or life-threatening situation to protect another’s life or to save significant assets or infrastructure from harm. Both civilian and military employees of the Department are eligible for this award. Typically, the Department will award only one award in this category annually.
- Secretary’s Award for Exemplary Service - This award recognizes exemplary individual service by DHS employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions. Employees in support services positions below GS-11 and WG-8 are eligible for this award. The Department will present no more than fifteen of these awards annually.
- Secretary’s Award for Excellence - This award recognizes achievement or innovation by an individual or team engaged in work to advance the mission of DHS. The work of the nominee(s) may have resulted in superior performance, significant operational improvements or notable innovation in support of DHS missions. A team nomination may be a result of an ongoing or an ad hoc team. Typically, the Department presents 20-25 awards in this category annually.
- Secretary's Unity of Effort Team Excellence Awards - This award recognizes outstanding team achievements by employees within and across the Department, as well as, with interagency partners, working collectively to advance the mission of the DHS in securing the Nation. The work of the team will have resulted in superior performance, significant operational improvements or notable innovation in support of DHS missions. It is expected that the Department will distribute no more than fifteen of these awards annually.
- Secretary's Unit Award - This award recognizes any unit within the Department (such as a component, directorate, office, division or section) with outstanding team achievements in operational areas such as law enforcement, aviation, cybersecurity, border patrol, hiring, acquisition and information technology. The work will have resulted in measurable improvements in employee morale and engagement within and among members of the unit, superior performance, significant operational improvements, or notable innovation in support of DHS missions. It is expected that the Department will distribute no more than fifteen of these awards annually.
- Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity Management - This award recognizes an employee who has excelled in efforts to promote diversity at DHS through outstanding leadership and innovation. It may acknowledge individual efforts exclusively within DHS or with external partners who assist DHS in meeting our commitment to diversity. Typically, the Department will only present one award in this category annually.
- Secretary’s Award for Volunteer Service - This award recognizes significant contributions by DHS employees who serve as volunteers with non-profit or community service programs or activities. The employee’s contributions should be direct, sustained, and have meaningful results for individuals or larger public good. Typically, the Department will only grant one award in this category annually.
- Secretary’s Award for Leadership Excellence- This award recognizes an individual and/or team who exemplifies the Department of Homeland Security’s leadership philosophy, principles, and core values of integrity, vigilance and respect.
- Individual Award: This award recognizes one employee who exemplifies the Department of Homeland Security’s leadership philosophy, principles, and core values of integrity, vigilance and respect; has led an effective team to achieve results; inspires and motivates others by example to work collaboratively and creatively; and mentors personnel toward their highest potential.
- Team Award: This award recognizes one team or organization that exemplifies the Department of Homeland Security’s leadership philosophy, principles, and core values of integrity, vigilance and respect; has implemented practices, policies, products, opportunities, and resources in an effort to put DHS “Employees First”; creates an environment that encourages teamwork; and fosters employee engagement and satisfaction.