Pros
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with like-minded people to make a positive impact in people’s lives every day. Expansion--in the last two years the agency has grown substantially which created more jobs helping people with mental health concerns. Compensation—very competitive F/T. Benefits--good time off package, annual into time bank, Tuition Reimbursement, Affordable Medical Coverage. Opportunities—I have seen at least six promotions across several departments because of the expansion. Flexibility--Great Company will make accommodations for you during the semester. Job Stability—many long term employees. The agency has a friendly culture of professionalism and courtesy that is evident from the vast majority of people I’ve encountered with very few exceptions. The best part about working for such a small agency is that upper management and especially the Executive Director are accessible, approachable and will listen to you. That is not common, but it is admirable.
Cons
Social work and human services agencies have down sides like all other fields. Speaking from my twenty years of experience in these allied fields, I can honestly say that Options is no different. Some negative energy people will always exist in the workplace, that’s just life. If you handle them with class and candor like 99.9% of the folks I’ve had the pleasure to befriend at Options, you will easily identify and navigate around toxic employees. Those people generally don’t last very long in this jobs market.