mechanic

civil engineer

accountant

surveyor

resource officer

Bureau of Reclamation

I worked in the Geotechnical Engineering Division at this agency which is responsible for the design and maintenance of over 450 dams in the western United States. Over the years I was involved in several different job assignments. I started as a software designer writing engineering applications as well as graphic support applications. I also managed several computer systems and was involved in writing contracts in support of these systems. I supported geologists over the 17 western states and wrote logging software, interfaces to CADD and GIS systems and managed a geologic engineering modeling group. I also ran a photogrammetry group and implemented survey grade GPS systems in generating control points, producing detailed project maps and supporting other earth science disciplines. My experience ranges over disciplines such as engineering, geology, flood hydrology, visualization/video production in support of earth science disciplines and other related studies.

I managed groups, worked with regional, state, county and international governments in producing work products and have much experience in implementing projects from start to completion. The projects involved budgets ranging from a few thousand dollars to multi million dollar projects. 

Some projects that I worked on were the Grand Coulee Dam riverbank stabilization project and over 250 dams that were in our agency's jurisdiction.

The job was a DAM fine job.  I really enjoyed working on the generators and working at the dam. very nice nature environment to be able to work in.  The actual job was a good job.  Most of the employees were good to work with.  The problem was the turnover rate.  This was due to very poor supervision at the lower levels and above.  I did not realize that there had been a large amount of turnover and I and others hired around my time were just the next batch to go through this turnover.  They use threats of getting rid of you as a means of management.  I could see that their was no way to get through a probation period.  You do not have rights as an employee during your first year.  I found that their was way to much of the good old boys in management that you had no where to address the problems.  I finally did call a different region to ask what options there were, but found I did not really have any,  except a very drastic one,  men in black option.  Your job performance had very little to do with evaluations, it really come down to how well you brown nosed.

A typical day at work can be either extremely busy, or slow and is spent working on projects that were left in the back burner. I've learned to use many programs, including a captioning program, a video editing software, and the basics of using a Macintosh computer. Management is very well, and they know how to come together and delegate specific tasks throughout the workforce. The workplace culture is very friendly and co-workers encourage whatever you choose to pursue. Everyone at the work encourages that students continue school in hopes of pursuing a career of the students' choice. The hardest part of the job was when it wasn't busy and I was required to go back to projects that have been of low priority. The most enjoyable part of the job was meeting new people, gaining new skills for the job environment, and discovering what working with a diverse workforce in close proximity is like.

As the secretary my duties were answering the phones and operating the switchboard which I enjoyed and I am very good at all the duties as a secretary office automation clerk front desk receptionist my  specialties are.  Routing calls to specific people answer inquiries about the company or your reclamation great visitors warmly and make sure they’re comfortable call person‘s waiting for a visitor and book them a room to meeting schedule meetings and conference rooms make coffee and sit out food is sure a reception area is neat and tidy coordinate mill flow in and out going coordinate office activities hand of phone calls from people calling in sick gather personal and insurance information handout employee applications arrange appointments cash out people wouldn’t it necessary give visitors badge is in direct them where they can sign in

My day usually consisted of washing lab equipment and analyzing or setting up water samples. As an intern and lab assistant, I wasn't doing too difficult of tasks but I did learn how to manage my time very well as well as how to stay punctual. My coworkers were very kind and helpful and I built some great relationships that will last a while. I think the hardest part of my job was counting bacteria under a microscope because oftentimes there were too many to keep straight. However, I still persevered and did my job to the best of my ability. My favorite part of the job was getting to know the people I worked with and what they do. I loved learning where they came from, what they worked on in the lab and what they wanted to achieve in life. It helped me put my own life into perspective so that I could see what direction I wanted my life to go.

Research and draw legal boundaries for bureau as well as Districts, Research and draw inclusions and exclusions into the district with water rights.  Map Archaeological sites, map reservoirs, dams, wildlife and recreation areas.  Digitize land maps.

Esri programs, How to read legal descriptions as well as terminology

Not around much,  always traveling to meetings 

Many people from different back grounds, and worked with many different agencies with different back grounds

When they would proof things, they would make changes and then another person would look at it after the change and change it back

Meeting new people, Learning new things and helping coworkers as well as the public, and other agencies,  being able to travel

What is the best part of working at the company?
Inexperienced micromanagers who are bullies to multiple employees and civil rights suits.  Denver office. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Being bullied for doing your job and pointing out issues such as bad numbers presented to the Diredtor

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Not inclusive and bullying and passive aggressive with no team work. Do not recommend working here. It is a very toxic environment. After I started, I was told all of the horror stories about managers bullying staff and threatening physical violence. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Toxic, endless meetings where everyone sits around and complains about doing their jobs.

Typical work day is extremely rewarding in all areas, Management is very supportive of training, safety, quality of life, and work place culture, Managers communicate well both up the chain as well as subordinates, The hardest part of my job was leaving each day because I enjoyed the work environment, managers willing to assist, being provided with everything one would need to succeed, co-workers promoted a true family concept, I enjoyed, that although one may perform the same various task, There never any dull moments.

A typical day of work start fairly early, around 5am, and ends from noon to 2pm depending on site. I learned how to maneuver through vegetation in order to get to a waypoint from the GPS, learned to follow specific protocol for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and learned a lot about the wildlife and birds that live in the areas I worked. The management during my job was done well. There were overall leaders and leaders of each crew so things were kept in order. The hardest part of my job was learning how to maneuver through the thick vegetation in the sites. The most enjoyable part of my job would be the people I work with as well as the fact that the job was always outside.

As an older engineer, I have found that there is zero opportunity for advancement.  Only younger people (age 39 or less) and people with sociopathic qualities (think skilled politicians) get promotions in my group.  Every year, workload increases and number of people to do the work decreases.  Most of this work is done by the lower ranking engineers while higher raking engineers and management enjoy a lighter workload. 

The technical challenges for most experienced engineers is very limited and the culture is extremely toxic.  Managers provide zero leadership and only pass down the dictates of the man in the head office.  I would not recommend working here unless you are desperate for money or if you are a sociopathic person.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Mechanic 24 salaries reported	$54.04 per hour
Civil engineer 4 salaries reported	$119,684 per year
Accountant 3 salaries reported	$87,667 per year
Surveyor 1 salary reported	$124,743 per year
Resource officer 1 salary reported	$159,387 per year

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