service technician

safety coordinator

apprentice automotive technician

senior technician

account manager

Hoist & Crane Service Group

A typical day at work for Hoist and Crane consisted of inspecting over head cranes in mills and plants checking for any flaws in the crane, anything that would indicate a problem such as a frayed wire rope, wheel barrings sqeaking, busted gears in gear boxes, drive line shafts, bust bar replacements, mechanical and electical malfunctions etc. Sometimes, we would repair full cranes completely. If a problem was found, we would repair it. NO matter how big the crane, or the problem with it, we would fix it. 
      The best part of the job was not being stuck in a repetitave cycle of doing the same thing over and over again. Every job was different which kept us on our toes constantly. The hardest part of the job was dealing with the heat. Working near the ceiling in most of the plants and faciluties was very warm with temperatures spiking upwards of around 110 to 135 degrees depending on where the job was. 
 Staying hydrated was an essintial part of the hoist and crane life as well as many other ways of maintaning our core body tempetures. On the job, former employees would become more than just another worker. We watched out for each other and made sure to keep each other hydrated and cooled off to the best of the conditions given. Needless to say, everybody got along well. 
    Sometimes, the work would be hectic, and frustrating especially with multiple jobs constanlty popping up all over the plants where we were working (happened occasionally) but our team knew how to handle the situations and who to put to work on each job.

Benefits are horrible you pay alot to have health insurance and then you pay more when you go to the doctor. Don't know your schedule until late the night before or early that morning. Not having all parts for job you have to buy them with your own money. You spend a lot of time finding parts for a job you are doing that day. There is a lot of paperwork you have to fill out. Office people never answer their phone after hours and sometimes during business hours.They never know what is going on. Service manager and sales guy will make you look up part prices so you can get paid for selling. Customers tell me that they didn't know we were coming. Customers complain about office people not getting back to them in a timely manner. Only get raises if you threaten to leave. There is a lot of favoritism. If you are a favorite you get what you want. 
Very unorganized management structure. Management consistently puts me on two-tech jobs by myself because it makes the job come out better on the bottom line.
You learn on your own. They do offer training but if you are not a favorite or know somebody you don't get it. 
You have your own truck which has a camera and they watch your every move while in the truck even when it is off. 
They don't do any reviews on you. The only time you hear about your job performance is when you mess up and they call you about it then they will tell everyone about it. Management will listen to your complaints but then do nothing about it.
You do get a chance to get extra money by filling out a fwa.
 You call other techs to get help you need 

HCSG specializes in power and chemical plant maintenance work, almost exclusively. The work is rarely ever that difficult. But due to the nature of the facilities we work in, it can be frustrating due to the restrictions we are forced to work under with all of the safety rules that seems to change on a whim. A typical 10 hour work day can include as much as 4 to 5 hours just to get permission to work. This leads to more than a few very boring days.

My co-workers, for the most part, are very friendly, personable and easy to work with. Lead techs are very good about helping each other work through difficulties and major jobs. The big downside is that the helpers that have been hired lately are extremely green, as in not knowing basic tools or their usage. This has led to some very frustrating days. As I said, what we do is seldom very complicated or difficult. But, our jobs are seldom ones that can be performed solo. Having an experienced apprentice as a teammate would be so much more beneficial to the techs and the company. 

Training is provided to technicians on everything from crane basics to  more specialized skills like elevator repair. I would like to see more training provided to apprentices however.

A typical day at HCSG is chaos at best. No one knows what’s going on for the most part. 
I have learned that management is always right regardless of the problem or situations. If things go wrong, it’s the technicians fault.(even when it’s a scheduling issue). I have showed up to multiple customers who had no idea that I was coming or for what reason.
Management is not based on experience. It’s all personality oriented. Or who you know. Very rarely does a technician move into management despite their insistence that there is room for everyone to move up. The technician is responsible for making the salary and bonuses for the account manager since they don’t have time to go sell every day. Yes the the technician is also a salesman.
They give several useless classes each year in which you are told that you’ll get a raise if you pass but it never happens. Constant training in the same categories year after year that they expect you to do at home.
The IT department has screwed up the inspection programs so bad that they are useless.
The culture is all “Us against them”.
The hardest part of the job is just showing up every day.
The most enjoyable part of the job is work mates.

What is the best part of working at the company?
One of the things that I value most is there is a genuine support system across branches. I have collaborated with other operation managers and we strive to continue to do best practices and be efficient in our positions. I am looking forward to my growth here and overall I’m proud to work for a company that recognizes hard work and promotes continued success. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
When priorities shift, could be better communication with adjusting to changes. And to allow others to sit in the interviews when picking office staff. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Team oriented. Supportive in getting any materials needed to complete your job efficiently. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Typical day involves balancing coordination and communication- planning and supporting both field technicians and management.

The Baton Rouge branch leaves a lot to be desired in the management department.  Upon interviewing I was told after 90 days I would receive a $1.00 per hour raise.  When the time did come I was told that if it is not in writing, then I could not force them to honor that.  This is a very underhanded tactic that I witnessed the manager say to multiple new hires.  Once hired the job security is definitely there though.  One would have to mess up pretty bad in order to get fired.  Advancements in the monetary sense are extremely hard to acquire, however, once proven competent or the senior techs give their approval (make sure you become friends) advancement can be acquired in the form of a company truck.  Most of the techs were helpful and knowledgeable but there were a couple that give the company a bad name.

Was an ok place to work but now is horrible due to neptotism in account management.  Cant ever order correct parts and constantly losing customers or angering them.  New management is only focused on keeping numbers in the black for that monthly bonus and getting it off the backs of techs who know more than the management put together.  Time alottment for big jobs is completely unrealistic due to a complete unwillingness to do proper due diligence.  As a result,  they lose many big jobs that could be big money and then make poor excuses as to why.  Forget a raise unless you are willing to wait years and jump through all the hoops and then it probably still wont happen..and it has developed into reputation.  Pay scales are completely off kilter.  In other words, they are going to work the life out of you while paying as little as possible.  


This is one of the worst companies to work for unless your are useless ,apply if you’re  useless you fit in perfect the more you fail the more they promote you. The Managers are unprofessional tell customers and employees about employees personal business , they try and hide accidents or discipline you if you do get hurt , heaven for bid you give suggestions to improve things you will be let go . Managers are cut throat they don’t care if you have a baby sitter or someone to take care of your family or animals in the words of two of their managers you’re just a tech you don’t matter and you don’t have a choice you will travel if I say so.
Highly recommend to avoid.
Worst benefits package you can get insurance for yourself cheaper then thru the company 

I gave up a job with 50-60 hours a week after being promised 70+ hours a week. I'm 4 months, only had hours more than 40 3 times.  Had to take vacation time to get 40 hours some weeks.  

Lack of accountability was also prevalent in the office.  Wro my parts were ordered and blamed on service techs even though management was given all the info.  Also, office personnel stated that since corporate was getting on them about the lack of hours, they had no problem with collecting unemployment.  Not very assuring to others who relied on getting hours to put food on the table and a roof over their heads.

Also, the nepotism was very glaring.  No such thing as seniority.  Junior techs would get twice the hours as some senior techs.

My typical day depends on where I’m located. Some days are harder than others but overall I enjoy the job due to my co workers and the knowledge I have gained. I believe that I already had an extremely good work ethic but this job has taught me how to work even better.  I have not personally had a negative experience with my management. They have helped me whenever I’ve needed it. I enjoy working with all the guys I work with on a daily basis. The hardest part of my job is working in the extreme temperatures and environments. The most enjoyable part of my job is the amount of overtime I am able to work and the knowledge I feel like I’m gaining daily. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Service technician 2 salaries reported	$36.00 per hour
Safety coordinator 2 salaries reported	$67,500 per year
Apprentice automotive technician 1 salary reported	$19.00 per hour
Senior technician 2 salaries reported	$30.00 per hour
Account manager 2 salaries reported	$100,000 per year

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