Board of Commissioners celebrates Public Service Recognition Week ahead of 2022 Employee Awards ceremony

May 3, 2022

What makes Multnomah County successful in its lines of service? About 6,000 public employees who work as unsung heroes in service to their community. 

Kelli Gallippi testifies before the Board of County Commissioners.

That was the message Thursday, April 28 as the Board of Commissioners proclaimed the week of May 1 through May 7, 2022 as “Public Service Recognition Week” in Multnomah County. The proclamation recognizes the role of all Multnomah County employees in the delivery of essential public services.

The proclamation also coincided with Administrative Professionals Week at Multnomah County. About 8 percent of the County’s regular status workforce—422 employees—work in administrative support. Hundreds more fill on-call positions. 

“Each and every day Multnomah County employees provide the diverse services demanded by the American people of their government with efficiency and integrity,” said Kelli Gallippi, who coordinates employee recognition for the County.

Public Service Recognition Week celebrates the people who serve as federal, state, county, and local government employees every year during the first week of May. The event has been celebrated nationwide since 1985.

“It is a privilege to work in the public sector and I love that, as public employees, we have the opportunity to act at that intersection of our work and our values and our beliefs and we bring that all together,” Commissioner Sharon Meieran said.

This year’s proclamation takes on more meaning considering the role public servants have played during the COVID-19 pandemic and its cascading effects on the community. Public servants have also stepped up to staff shelters during recent historic weather events, from extreme heat to extreme cold.

“What we are tasked with as a government is only possible because of our employees,” Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson said. “Especially in light of the past two years and the additional challenges that have impacted our employees.”

What sets public employees apart, commissioners said, is their values. Public service can be a thankless job, and it often attracts people who are passionate about making their community a better place. 

‘It takes a very special person to commit to this kind of work,” Commissioner Lori Stegmann said. 

As part of Public Service Recognition Week, Multnomah County will hold its annual Employee Recognition Awards on Wednesday, May 4. The ceremony will announce the winners of eight categories, including: 

● Superior Public Service Award – Internal Customer and External Customer

● Outstanding Team Achievement Award

● Employee Innovation Award

● Diversity and Cultural Competency Award

● Sustainability Award

● Committee’s Choice Award

● Chair’s Excellence Award

“I don’t think I can sufficiently express my gratitude and how proud I am to be part of this organization, and it’s because of our public servants,” Commissioner Susheela Jayapal said.

This year, employees submitted 105 applications nominating County employees and teams for recognition awards. Teammates and colleagues can tune into the ceremony live via the Board Clerk’s website.

Chair Deborah Kafoury said the number of nominations “gives you an idea of the amazing, amazing employees that we have who have gone above and beyond, even as we have gone through this really challenging time of the pandemic.”