police officer

director of public health

City of Chesapeake

Chesapeake Department of Human Services has seen a decline in management and operational standards since I first started. One of the major issues is the lack of accountability, especially when it comes to the handling of children in the agency. It has become common for staff, even those on leave, to be expected to come back and work weekends without proper consideration for personal time. For example, I’ve been expected to work from 12–8 AM on Sundays, only to return to work on Monday morning.

Communication from higher-level management is nearly nonexistent. I’ve never received an email response from anyone at the chief level or above, which is frustrating when trying to address concerns or clarify information.

For new hires, the training process is inadequate at best. Instead of hands-on experience, new staff are often handed large binders and expected to read them for hours on end with minimal support. I’ve seen instances where new employees were told "no" when asking for guidance or were simply told "we’ll do it later," which, in many cases, never happened.

A significant issue is the mishandling of remote work policies. Employees who were promised teleworking options were suddenly told they could no longer work remotely in Summer 2024, with no grandfather clause for those who had already been approved. This policy change is particularly frustrating because Chesapeake is the only locality in Hampton Roads that does not allow teleworking, either immediately or after six months.

Management itself has proven to be dysfunctional. I participated in a total staff meeting that went downhill quickly, with multiple staff members expressing their frustrations. Unfortunately, this led to a tense environment with people either leaving or being sent to HR. Since then, no similar all-staff meetings have been held, likely to prevent different units from discussing how widespread the management issues are. I’ve also witnessed retaliatory actions against staff for voicing concerns.

All of these factors contribute to a toxic work culture and low office morale, and I know many people at the department, including myself, are actively looking for other opportunities. It has become clear that unless someone is close to retirement, staying long-term at Chesapeake Department of Human Services may not be sustainable.

My typical day starts with getting up 5:45 am driving through gridlock sometimes, arriving to work 5-10 minutes early to meditate.  I clock in 2-3 minutes before my scheduled work time (7:00 am) only to make sure I'm on time.  I then turn on soothing music to get my mind ready for the work that awaits me.  I really don't talk much at work because we (other staff) is busy all the time but we do joke a little to break the monotony.  Not to brag but my Microsoft Office skills are basically "professional" as well as "efficient" for lack of better words.  I'm really looking for a job that is more challenging of my skills but with basically the same benefits I receive with the City of Chesapeake.  Upper management often need my help to figure out certain tasks in Word or PowerPoint for example:  One of my supervisors didn't know how to insert a bullet.  Another supervisor didn't know how to downsize a diagram from an 11 x 17 to an 8.5 x 11 from a PDF file on the computer and to have it print out the same size.  I've had to create charts, graphs etc. in PowerPoint and Excel because no one else is as efficient as I am using this program, same with Publisher and Access.  Not many people know how to convert a PDF or several PDF's to a Word document using the PDFill Free PDF Tools site.  My co-workers are easy to work with when we aren't busy we talk a little then back to work.  The hardest part of my job is trying to create work for myself because everyone here is somewhat self-sufficient.  I then do other work for other departments such as the Accounting section in Public Works, scanning old documents, input of invoices, accounts payable/receivable etc.; City Attorney office Xeroxing pages and pages of lawyer documents.  The part I love the most about this job is basically getting along with every one of the Engineers and the Account Tech on the Maintenance side as well as the Construction side of employees, teaching them something new and me learning something every day such as what an “Engineer” or “Inspector” does on a daily basis which gives me some insight as to why I’m performing certain tasks as well as recognizing what I’m doing so I would know what to do.

12 hour shifts with mandatory overtime currently at 20 hours/month but definitely rising. Squad rotates every 4 months, and you don't truly have a choice about working days or nights. Probation period lasts 2 years; average training time takes apx. 1.5 years. Trainees "observe" the job for about 2 months before their academy starts because the hiring process takes forever- easy way to get paid but boring and begs the question "why have an academy at all?" Calltaking is difficult and trainees that are failing are kept on for several months for documentation purposes, which must be incredibly embarrassing- it is very clear when a trainee will not make it, and months of calltaking is oppressive for both the trainee and trainer. Currently, morale is incredibly low- lack of transparency from 911 coordinators have created a culture of distrust; agencies all over are short-staffed, but it's not surprising when you consider the job, the hours, the pay, the overtime, and the long way to retirement. 

Hardest parts of the job: calltaking, police radio training, 12 hour shifts, 20+ hours of overtime, difficult callers, lack of closure from traumatic calls, no standarized training, lack of support for trainers, short career ladder, 30 years to retire, not officially first responders (which impacts pay, retirement, etc), petty coordinators who appear to be "frenemies" and micromanage, lack of diversity. It's imperative for you to build skills outside of this job in order to be marketable to other jobs.

Enjoyable parts of the job: job security, coworker bonding, talking to a variety of people, radio dispatching, down time, really helping someone.

I started out with the City as an Office Specialist 1 with Public Works Traffic Engineering processing hauling permits, grid search, grid filing, reading maps etc.  Became overwhelming due to supervision.  I since moved to another part of Public Works with Municipal Facilities Maintenance/Construction, still as an OS 1 but with my skills have found they are needed but not as much as I would like to use my skills especially in Microsoft Office.  I tend to help our (Public Works) accounting department often as needed.  Also have assisted the City Attorney office, Purchasing and Development and Permits.  There is no room for advancement in my position here with the City which is why I am diligently searching for employment again with NOB as a Clerk Typist or somewhere as an Administrative Assistant.  My skill set is more than what my current position I hold here is worth which is the hardest part of my job, not having enough to do and failed promises.  The good thing about this job is they take family very serious.  If any problem arise with my family, my supervisor has absolutely NO problem with giving me the time off to take care of it.

On a daily basic I am rssponsible for providing instruction, managing the classroom environment, and promoting student learning in the absence of the regular classroom  teacher. Maintains discipline and classroom control that fosters a safe and positive environment for all students and staff in accordance with school and county policies. Implements lesson plans, while ensuring the integrity of academic time and in a manner which motivates students to learn and participate.Organizes students for effective instruction. Dismisses all students from the classroom before leaving the building. Performs other related duties as assigned by building administrator(s) in accordance with school/division policies and practices.

The most enjoable part of my job is working with our young adults. I get to help them understand the information they will need on a daily basic. Which they will use through our there daily live experience.

Amongst the rank and file it is all about bother/sisterhood. Amongst the brass (outside of a select few) it's about pushing ones agenda in order to "stand out". The city preaches that it is broke and has no money in the coffers; yet most administration staff (25 to 30 yrs +) and city officals make well over 6 figures; while there is not even shift adjustment for working midnight shift.
As for home / work balance, very accomodating depending on whom your direct supervisor.
You can come to work, do your shift and go home or be a "go-getter", if it meets with the "powers that be" belief you'll be fine (and probably not recognized either way.
Adequate equipment, vehicles are always being maintained and constant changing in the reporting systems make it difficult to get used to one system before a new one is implemented.
Lot's of freedom to police at your own pace, good firing range, updating academy.

The actual atmosphere of the job itself was laid back. Dress code was comfortable. My immediate supervisor was good, she worked with in situations such as time off for family needs and/or personal needs and medical needs. My co-workers were cool, I can get along with anyone. The hardest part of my job was dealing with allegations from family members of the individuals I was caring for. Upper management took their truth without evidence to support their allegations. If they made a complaint against you that was pretty much the end of your job. Upper management did not look at the fact that the employee has never had any such complaints against them, never been written up for any such complaint in all their years of working in the caregiver field.

The City Of Chesapeake is a huge entity but overall it appears that the level of care for employees is the same. It appears that this city of ruled by power and control. The Director of Human Services in addition to the some of the administration at Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare (Chesapeake CSB). They are governed by selfish motives. There have been several employees who have abruptly quit and resigned due to the conflicting philosophies, poor management styles, immoral leadership styles, retaliatory approaches to discipline, among unethical and disturbing practices. 
I had two amazing supervisors but I am displeased and disgusted with management. I enjoyed my experience working with my clients but I would never return under the same leadership/management.

The day started out answering phones, typing correspondence, filing, scanning, faxing and other office duties. 

I relieved Receptionist on certain days. I would greet the public, refer visitors to the right engineer, received plans and documents, file correspondence, schedule meetings for engineers, schedule conference rooms, Deliver packages, prepare hauling permits and receives monies for permits. I would backup my coworker when she was out. Taking over her task as well as mine.

The hardest part was after working for 34 years I had to take minutes of meetings.

The enjoyable part was working with my coworkers all the years and working as a team player.

A lot of teamwork is involved in order to successfully make it through a typical day or night at work. I learned that not only does personal development play a huge part in being successful but a lot of personal time volunteering as well. My co-workers were the best. I enjoyed working with those who actually came to work to effectively do their jobs. The hardest part of the job was really overlooking the favoritism and continuing to be the best and who you are and at the job that you are there to do. The most enjoying part of the job was knowing that you are respected by the detainees.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Police officer 5 salaries reported	$54,000 per year
Director of public health 1 salary reported	$190,000 per year

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