Caltrans Reviews

Pros

Work life balance is good.

Cons

It is different learning government process

Pros

The work life balance is great, especially coming from private. Coworkers are also pleasant to work with. Younger managers are also generally nicer to work with.

Cons

Managers are hit or miss. My Design manager was absolutely awful. He would pretend to be looking out for you to your face but then would throw you under the bus at meetings to avoid blame. My current boss is super friendly, helpful and actually answers questions instead of avoiding his own team.

Pros

Good learning environment, options for transfer and promotion after six months, certifications available to those who ask about them. Pension and benefits.

Cons

Low pay, long shifts, mandatory overtime outdoors in potentially hostile weather conditions. Work on active roadways is inherently dangerous.

Pros

Good benefits Some staff are nice

Cons

Corrupt staff Unethical behavior Two-faced people in charge

Pros

Autonomy, appreciated by colleagues, stakeholders, and partners. Many honorable hard working people there.

Cons

Too many poor supervisors and they are not removed nor reprimanded, staff will have to transfer to another unit. Pay is not livable in Bay Area and job is too consuming/professional to work a second job.

Pros

This company has so many opportunities to grow and promote to new positions.You get to connect with other different agencies within the state.

Cons

This company has the reputation of people not working but it depends on where you go. I will say if you are out of college you might get bored as it can be slow-paced.

Pros

Strong on state labor requirements for rest and meal breaks Ability to contribute to something meaningful and important

Cons

Difficult to manage expectations within a heavily layered and complex management system, i.e. too many bosses to report to Difficult to be seen and recognized for individual contributions Promotions are not necessarily merit-based

Pros

- good work enviornment - extremely friendly people

Cons

- lack competitiveness that exists in private companies

Pros

Headline above number one. Some good people to work with & that’s all.

Cons

Lots of Nepotism and Favoritism. Example two or more supervisors, managers were chosen based on one’s relationship to their relative in Management - no college background other than given promotion by SSM II; other candidates fresh college graduates with no experience all, just Ageism. Employees are leaving at accelerated rates, transferring out or retiring. PMs, APMs, SSMs micromanaging beyond reason to scapegoat their staff to take attention away from their own misuse of time and trying to justify their jobs. Some PMs are inappropriate, carrying on the most unsuitable conversations and when reported to supervisors or EEO - goes nowhere as they’re afraid to initiate complaints (witnessed it as supervisor wasn’t having it). Human Resources department in Sacramento and the managers of PS (personal specialists) responsable for department in LA utterly useless. They hide behind titles and too spineless to call employees back (deleted emails with out reading) Almost all employees who are accredited (college educated) are the most difficult humans to work with. To sum it up: If you don’t have a degree, they completely ignore you because you are beneath them. (though you both need each other to complete or sign off on tasks) Managers specifically instruct that any communication (work related or not) needs to go through them i.e. subordinates are not to communicate with anyone at management level of command. You do not work independently as the job duty statement states it requires, basically incapable, treated like rubbish. Too many items to list.

Pros

Good work life balance and great benefits

Cons

Low pay compared to private sector