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Baldrige Examiner Role

Director Message | Become a Baldrige Examiner | Qualifications | Apply | Testimonials | Award

Examiner Responsibilities

As a Baldrige Examiner® you will

  • evaluate applicants for the Baldrige Award—the only presidential award for performance excellence and innovation
  • participate in a training course—has been recognized as part of the Baldrige Program's Top Government Leadership Developer Award in the Leadership 500 competition—focused on the Baldrige Award Criteria and the Baldrige award process
  • observe the Terms and Conditions of Appointment, including the Code of Ethical Conduct
  • independently review an application for the Baldrige Award
  • participate in a virtual evaluation team review of the same applicant organization (June-July)
  • potentially be asked to join a site visit team (August-October) to conduct an additional review of an applicant organization named as an Award Finalist—one of the most sought-after leadership development opportunities offered by the Program.
  • prepare the evaluation as a foundation for the evaluation report that is sent to the applicant
  • act as an ambassador for the Baldrige Program and for performance excellence
  • receive a recognition certificate honoring your efforts in support of the Baldrige Program

Term of Appointment

Examiners are appointed for approximately one year, beginning in April. Examiners must complete a virtual evaluation of an applicant in order to receive credit for being on the Board of Examiners.

Timeline and Time Commitment

Serving on the Board of Examiners requires completion of all training requirements and participation on an award evaluation team, typically about 95 hours between May and July. Additionally, 25-30% of our examiners complete a site visit, a commitment of up to an additional 125 hours from August to October. While site visit work is a large time commitment, we strongly encourage our examiners to make themselves available for the opportunity. Most of our examiners say that the site visit is the most rewarding part of an examiner's work.

You must be able to accommodate the schedule set by your evaluation team during all phases of the evaluation process—even if your work requires temporary or extended travel to residence outside the United States.
 

Dates

Activity/Participants

Time Commitment*


May-June

Examiner Training
(consists of self-paced online courses and several virtual-led group discussions)
All Examiners

20-25 hours


June-July

Virtual Evaluation 
(including Independent Analysis and Consensus Evaluation)
All Examiners

60-70 hours


August-September

Site Visit Planning
20-30% of the Board
 

20-30 hours


September-October

Site Visit 
Onsite (two examiners; four days, including travel)
Virtual (five examiners; three full days of applicant interviews)
20-30% of the Board

80-95 hours


*Approximate Time Commitment


Code of Ethical Conduct

As a Baldrige examiner, you'll be expected to observe the Code of Ethical Conduct

Adherence to Award Application Review Processes

You'll be expected to meet all the requirements associated with reviewing an organization's award application fairly and competently. For example, you'll need to use the Baldrige Award Criteria and the corresponding evaluation system, adhere to review processes, meet site visit requirements if you participate, and avoid conflicts of interest. Thorough documentation and written communication are essential.

Assignment of Board Members

We assign examiners to award applications with the goal of ensuring the fairest, most competent evaluation possible. If you are selected to the national Board of Examiners, you'll be assigned to an application based on your knowledge and experience and on the need to avoid conflicts of interest.

Related Links

Baldrige Examiner Code of Ethical Conduct
Baldrige Process Calendar
Baldrige Award Cycle Overview
Board of Examiners Listing
Judges Panel Listing and Charter

Contacts

  • Baldrige Customer Service
    (301) 975-2036
    NIST/BPEP
    100 Bureau Drive, M/S 1020
    Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1020
Created October 20, 2010, Updated January 3, 2025