Only Trons Need Apply - Not An Engineer Caltrans Employee Review

2.0
Mar 30, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

If you can play the game, you'll do well. The licensed employees (engineers, etc) have it made with great salaries. Work is fairly steady. There are rare supervisors who are cool and give staff the freedom to do their jobs---in other words, to be the professionals they were hired to be. Staff is allowed to take their leave time without a hassle about it.

Cons

Only female robots get promoted. Don't show any emotion! Discrimination and chauvinism is still rampant, but not overt. Staff are paid according to classification, so pay across genders is fair. But opportunities for better experience are given to the favorites; men are given a pass on poor behavior while women are still required to perform perfectly. The promotional system is rigged so they can hire who they want. Objective #1, above anything else, is don't irritate anyone. Projects and schedules are secondary to that. Management looks for non-action milquetoasts to promote. They don't want anyone who's going to rock the boat. Everything must be status quo. Most supervisors break every single rule you will ever read on how to be a good supervisor. They are actually taught this. Pay is very low for those without a professional license and the union is terrible. Benefits are not good either, and decreasing all the time. Opportunities for those without a license are extremely limited.

Explore other reviews about Caltrans

5.0
Jun 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You'll learn a lot, good place to start as an ITA..

Cons

The pay for state might not be that great.

3.0
Jun 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Stable, chances for advancement (dependent on location), more time off the longer you stick around

Cons

Heavy red tape, Analysts may be tasked with supporting way too many needy employees from their own and other units, low morale as a result.

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