Baltimore City Department of Public Works Director, Rudolph S. Chow, P.E, announced that Department has selected Ms. Alycia Jackson Wood, Administrative Analyst I in the Bureau of Water and Wastewater, as its sixth annual “Employee of the Year”. The awards ceremony was held this morning in the War Memorial Building in Downtown Baltimore.

Ms. Jackson Wood works in the Customer Support and Services Division, and is known for her analytical skills and commitment to following up on customers’ requests. “Alycia’s positive and ambitious nature has been an absolute critical part of the Bureau’s growth,” said James Price, Acting Head of the Bureau of Water and Wastewater.

Ms. Jackson Wood’s contributions came as the agency was upgrading its water billing system, a critical time for DPW. She stepped in to manage outstanding customer requests when one of the Operations Officers in the Customer Support and Services Division was out due to illness. She took it upon herself to learn the water billing system. In addition, Ms. Jackson Wood took over the returned mail process, creating a strategy to reduce and eliminate unnecessary extra mailings, which were costing the City an extra $32,000 a year.

“I was pushed by my first Division Chief to learn more and to become more,” said Ms. Jackson Wood. “I was told not to allow myself to be pigeonholed by my job title. Everything is a learning experience. Take pride in what you do. Take time to learn. Being appreciated is huge.”

Mayor Catherine E. Pugh praised the work of all DPW employees, and noted their role in providing outstanding drinking water, collecting trash and recyclables, removing snow, and protecting public health.

Mr. William (Bo) Mills, Jr., President-elect of the American Public Works Association (APWA) was the keynote speaker. He noted that during the last election cycle both parties emphasized the need for more public works investments. Kenneth M. Eyre, President of the APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter, also spoke of the long-overdue funding of public works projects.

DPW established the Employee of the Month program in May 2011 to recognize and encourage high quality work and service to Baltimore City residents and customers by Public Works employees. Every month, an employee is honored from the Bureaus of Solid Waste, Water and Wastewater, and DPW Administration. From these employees, six finalists were nominated for the Employee of the Year Award. An employee committee reviewed the nominations, interviewed the candidates and ranked them. The criteria include customer service, relationship with co-workers, contribution to the community, etc.

In addition to Ms. Jackson Wood, the finalists were:

Donna Brown, Bureau of Water and Wastewater

Emmanuel Grant, Bureau of Solid Waste

Romeko Morton, Office of the Director

Donald Ross, Bureau of Solid Waste

Michael Savage, Office of the Director.

As Employee of the Year, Ms. Jackson Wood receives three days paid leave, an engraved clock, one night’s stay at Monaco Hotel Baltimore, a $200 gift certificate for Fogo De Chao, tickets to the Orioles, and $500 in cash. Gifts were donated and/or paid for by members of DPW’s executive staff.