Pros
Work-life balance; generally very flexible and understanding about taking time off or taking sick leave
Cons
Training is promised to new employees but can take a long time to be delivered; Michigan NRCS promotes based on longevity rather than skill or qualification, and some offices perpetuate racist and sexists stereotypes and attitudes. Older employees harass recent graduates based on age and do not respect anyone younger than 45. Professionalism is non-existant. Communication is nonexistent. Supervisors and HR personnel are clueless and pass responsibility off rather than trying to solve problems. If you are a woman, a person of color, especially if you are young I would highly recommend you stay away from the field offices in Michigan. If you are new to the USDA, I would strongly recommend staying away, as Michigan NRCS staff have no clue how to assist new employees in basic needs like filling out required paperwork.