State of Arizona Reviews

Pros

Good start off pay out of college

Cons

Hard to move around. Have to know someone to get the job.

Pros

There are a lot of benefits to being a state employee. The benefits that attracted me were the medical coverage, pension plan and paid time off. Since starting with the state I have learned there are so many more benefits available and that it is a great environment to work in.

Cons

Politics influence decisions and operations.

Pros

Good working environment with people that seem genuinely interested in being involved with your life. My supervisor will always be a good friend even after he retires next year. Outstanding health benefits with an obscenely low bi-weekly cost to my family.

Cons

Not all units within the state are the same. Organizational culture can vary wildly between front-line service units and those involved with the organization in other supporting positions. Even from one building to the next, your experiences may vary.

Pros

Work is close to my parents home

Cons

I have never received a raise for 13 1/2 yrs Due the Lieutenant not liking me but everyone has had a raise here except for me I have gone above and beyond my job duties. I can not afford home . I'm basically making minimum wage.

Pros

Great Coworkers and Great Benefits

Cons

I would not recommend working for DES-APS. The job is responding to people in the community or assisted living facilities for any and all problems. All problems require the same sense of urgency and therefore the agency will never be successful at anything. Workers are sent alone to concerns that every other agency sends a team and you will be sent after hours to possible dangerous situations with no support. You will be exposed to feces, urine, bed bugs and infectious diseases. The agency will always be understaffed due to the nature of the work and the fact that workers will NEVER receive a pay raise. You could work here 10+ years and your paycheck will be less then the day you started due to increasing costs for benefits, retirement, etc. Most people work outside their work hours to keep up with the constant stream of cases and repetitive and non-essential tasks, so your hourly wage is even less then stated. Most co-workers are friendly and supportive and really want to help people. The new direction of the agency running "like a business" has turned it into a numbers game and there is really not time to actually help people, so you will become frustrated and disillusioned.

Pros

Wonderful clients and many amazing staff

Cons

Always working, always on call, no work/life balance

Pros

Health insurance and retirement benefits are fantastic

Cons

Wages are just extraordinarily low. Shockingly low for the work that is expected.