The Laboratory was recently recognized for “exemplary efforts to recruit, employ, and retain our nation’s veterans” with a gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE Vets) Medallion Program is the only federal-level veteran hiring award.
“I am constantly hearing about and have experienced first-hand what great employees our veterans and transitioned military personnel are,” says C.J. Bacino, of the Lab’s Office of Diversity and Strategic Staffing. “We’re honored to be recognized for our efforts in this area, but the truth is we’re lucky to have such dedicated and talented people select the Lab as their employer of choice.”
In a congratulatory correspondence from Eugene Scalia, Secretary of Labor, to Tim Babicke, Human Resources Deputy Division Leader, the Lab is credited with “demonstrated patriotism worthy of praise … and recognition of the value veterans bring to the workplace.” “We’ve increased our numbers of veterans hired this past year with increased outreach efforts, like attending more military-focused events, visiting bases we’ve not previously visited, and creating an event with New Mexico Workforce Connection that incorporated local employers,” says veteran recruiter Junior Hamilton. “In addition, we provided resumé and cover letter classes in Santa Fe and Española to help veterans navigate the Laboratory’s application process. It’s definitely been a team effort by the recruiters to share more widely the significance of the Lab’s national security mission.”
