607-2024

In 2023, while working for the Bureau of Development Services, Mark Fetters was nominated to receive recognition for his exemplary support of Reserve members of the Armed Forces of the United States. Specifically, Mark consistently and faithfully facilitated the ability of one of his direct reports to deploy to multiple disaster and national security responses as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. The absence of this employee due to military service meant Mark often had to shoulder an additional workload: Responding to complex workplace safety and security incidents, leading standing committee meetings, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders until the employee’s return. In addition to taking on these additional burdens, Mark navigated City systems and policies to ensure the employee received the correct pay, benefits, and time off they were entitled to, as well as schedule flexibility to meet the dual demands of both civilian and military job duties. Mark never complained or wavered in his support of Reservists and National Guard members. Rather, his support and sacrifice on the home front inconspicuously demonstrated his own deep commitment to public service, as well as his commitment to those serving in other capacities. For this, Mark has been awarded the Patriot Award by the Department of Defense’s office of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

Though it takes a dedicated effort by a network of people at all levels of City government to support its employees serving in the Reserve and National Guard, the ESGR Patriot Award is specifically awarded to recognize individual supervisors for support they have provided directly to the nominating service member and their family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen-service members through a wide range of measures such as flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence as needed. Effective July 1, 2024, the Bureau of Development Services' became Portland Permitting & Development (PPD). To that end, PPD respectfully requests City Council join PPD and ESGR in recognizing Mark Fetters as he receives the Patriot Award.

Additional resources:

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers, and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. ESGR has served our country for more than 50 years, fostering a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the United States’ National Guard and Reserve Forces. These citizen-service members could not defend the nation, save lives, or protect us at home and abroad without the continued promise of meaningful civilian employment for themselves and their families. For more information about ESGR, please visit the agency’s website: https://www.esgr.mil.

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA)

USERRA is a Federal law intended to ensure that persons who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, Reserve, National Guard, or other uniformed Services: (1) are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service; (2) are promptly reemployed in their civilian jobs upon their return from duty; and (3) are not discriminated against in employment based on past, present, or future military service. The law is intended to encourage non-career uniformed service so the United States can enjoy the protection of those Services, staffed by qualified people, while maintaining a balance with the needs of private and public employers who also depend on these same individuals. For more information about USERRA, please visit the U. S. Department of Labor’s website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/userra

City of Portland Human Resources Administrative Rule (HRAR) 6.07 – Military Leave

https://www.portland.gov/policies/human-resources-administrative-rules/leaves/hrar-607-military-leave