What are co-workers like at Oregon Department of Human Services?

Pros

Pay is decent, for the most part other colleagues care greatly for the community.

Cons

Under staffed leaving workload much greater than humanly possible.

Pros

Great team and good way to get foot into the door.

Cons

You have to like working for underprivileged people who have financial hardship

Pros

Good coworkers, like to help clients, autonomy to do work, and can be exciting.

Cons

Busy, tiring, sometimes needed better hands-on training, don't like being in big buildings with a lot of people, extremely bureaucratic, and some coworkers can be territorial when work overlaps with other benefits.

Advice to Management

Step in when there are conflicts.

Pros

The rank and file employees are great people.

Cons

Lack of training, lack of support from management, lack of engagement with employees beyond a "putting out fires" mentality. After the audit from a few years back, there has been no significant change in the culture of the department.

Pros

- Great stepping stone into other roles in the social and human services field. - Lots of exposure and experience in the field of trauma, abuse, and child welfare. - Received an abundance of experience collaborating and consulting with professionals in the medical, mental health, educational, and law enforcement fields. - Could fit remote work into work schedule. - Can flex hours - PS workers are hardworking, genuine, and fun to work with.

Cons

- Unit was primarily understaffed leaving employees to manage extremely high caseloads(18-24). - Supervisors are "available" yet always a challenge to track down in an emergency. - Feedback was encouraged in office, yet concerns voiced by colleagues were ignored by Program Manager. - OT has to be pre-approved by supervisor. - Endless paperwork, documentation etc

Advice to Management

- Be receptive to the feedback employees are providing. - Extend OT to more than 5 hours a month (not enough with high caseloads!!)

Pros

They take care of their employees. Consistent good company.

Cons

Long commute, but not their fault. No issues.

Advice to Management

Offer flexible schedules and remote work.

Pros

DHS employees are very kind and helpful.

Cons

Figuring out the system can be very difficult to navigate. Can be an exhausting job depending on the family you work for.

Pros

Help people and reunify families

Cons

Large caseload, long hours, no time for self care

Pros

Good coworkers, like to help clients, autonomy to do work, and can be exciting.

Cons

Busy, tiring, sometimes needed better hands-on training, don't like being in big buildings with a lot of people, extremely bureaucratic, and some coworkers can be territorial when work overlaps with other benefits.

Advice to Management

Step in when there are conflicts.

Pros

Salary, benefits, team atmosphere, fast pace.

Cons

Hiring practices, policy vs reality, disgruntled employees