City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Reviews

Pros

Good money, hours, security and benefits.

Cons

A lot of employees hold grudges against each other just for doing their job or for no reason. City employees are extremely sensitive and love to talk behind people’s back. There’s also lots of favoritism. Employees avoiding to work with you just because you do things by the book.

Pros

You get to do almost nothing all day while pretending to work. Work life balance is great as you seem to be able to not have to work your 40 hours per week and you can have your supervisor cover for you and approve time worked while you actually take the day off!

Cons

Supervisors are a joke and protect other supervisors under investigation for multiple counts of harassment (including of the sexual kind). Employees committing time fraud and wasting resources. No actual care for the environment. Upper management are power hungry. Supervisors do not train new employees and expect other employees (not properly trained) to do their job for them. Supervisors will also actively lie and pull extreme nepotism to get their unqualified family/friends in. And let's not forget the joke that new retirement benefits are and the pay discrepancy that has been created for many young individuals trying to live in this high cost of living city. All created by the management now running failing projects and programs. Also will be made fun of if even slightly different from the chauvinistic and crude views still held by supposed "highly qualified engineers".

Pros

This is a great firm to work for if you are lucky to get your chance through the front door. They have all the benefits one can imagine. If you have a good colleague you will get some good training; everything is teachable. No late nights learning the material. They dont expect much of you. If you like city construction, hydraulics, structural and transportation this is the place to be. They really do quite a variety of project per month. There is so many employees there will always be someone to help you.

Cons

Although getting through the front door is not easy. The interviews are quite brutal and devastating. You will never get a result or feedback on your performance. So always plan ahead and don't throw all your eggs in one basket. Remember Private pays more.

Pros

Good pay and benefits. 40 hour or 9/80 work week available.

Cons

Conscious bias on women. Woman assigned medial tasks while the men get the more challenging jobs. Prior experience and education is not considered.

Pros

You get one hour for lunch. City benefits. You can choose your schedule.

Cons

Boring. You'll develop physical issues from sitting at the desk. All your co-workers seem fake with fake laughs. People seem like they're not interested in working but to chat away in the halls about first world problems or some shin dig they did or plan to do in the weekend.