law assistant

senior inspector

inspector

technician trainee

examiner

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

The most strict work environment I have experienced at any place of employment ie: 0 tolerance policy for phones, looking at your phone will be reprimanded with a write up in your personal file, subordinates are told not to speak to coworkers outside of business discussions during work hours, subordinates are told not to assist co workers with a problem if you’re not a supervisor or trainer, subordinates are told that you must work until exactly 3 minutes sharp before your departure time where you will be expected to then pick up / file away your work for that day. Documented proof of tardiness or sick day call ins are requested. Work is routinely screened for errors by supervisors, desks are routinely audited for violations ie: garbage can inspection, recycling bin inspection, desk / computer inspection, screening of paperwork + transactions for errors, random electronic computer audits. Vacation requests are gathered 2-4 months in advance. Policies that you are trained on can sometimes be 5-10 years old / also may not applicable to currently accepted procedures. Approval to listen to music, or podcasts with headphones is prorated by management. Lack of work can be encountered which while being combined with not being able to interact with co workers outside of business discussions, listen to music or podcasts, or browse non related work content online can be extremely mentally draining for extended periods of time as you are basically redundantly staring at a computer screen as to not be reprimanded for not working or viewing / discussing non work related content even if there is no work available. High tension / walking on eggshells environment. Clique high school kind of work culture. 

A typical day at the Dept of Motor Vehicles involved customer service, examining applications for accuracy, data entering and retrieval of customer information to effectively process non-driver license, registration and enforcement transactions, editing and documenting applications according to agency policies, procedures and guidelines.  I learned proper identification procedures and immigration codes and various reasons how these codes identified the applicants reason for entry into the US.  I also learned the particulars of accepting certain documents in order to properly process these transactions.  Management implemented new procedures and monitored daily activities and at times allowed the workers the latitude to  solve situations and problems on their own. My co-workers were team oriented and worked well together and the hardest part of the job was difficult and irate customers and the most enjoyable part of the job was knowing I made a difference especially if the work entailed finding a solution to a problem that no one else could, but because of my diligence and determination I found a solution to their problem and the customer informed my supervisor of my resolve at helping them.

The leadership allows mean girl activity to unfold.  Too much power given to a deputy clerk (a position created for a satellite office supervisor which never happened) who was a previous Motor Vehicle Clerk. It's much easier for her to mean girl as a powerhouse supervisor, because the County Clerk doesn't want to learn any job duties. Let's let the experienced Clerk make ALL decisions, using personal feelings, just so the County Clerk doesn't want any of the headaches. The County Clerks consistently says "if you have any problems, don't hesitate to come to me." However, it's well known amongst the current employees, if you have a problem and reach out, you get punished. Call in sick, get punished when you return. Have a medical disability,  it gets denied by deputy Clerk, and you get punished. You offer any common sense protocols that would help productivity,  you get punished. Very low morale !!!

The NYSS DMV is a stressful environment where the supervisors expect the Representatives to process paper applications at a rate of 4 or 5 an hour. The processing of the Real and the Real Enhanced drivers Licenses and non-driver identifications was the most involved because of all the the scanning and use of computer  applications. The breaks were strictly monitored and memos for being lat for work or getting back from lunch breaks. The Supervisors would have you come into the office and talk about it with you. These actions were taken for new Representatives on probation  for a year until they were appointed formally. You can apply for the job through the DMV website or by taking a civil service exam when the state offers it. The pay is good and they have a state retirement system you can participate in shortly after starting the job.

While working for the DMV, I never had any serious issues with management (who was generally supportive), nor did I have any issues with co-workers.  

However, while there are friendly interactions that are great, working with the public can get hostile at times, which can negate all the positives.  

Furthermore, even with upgraded equipment, the computer systems are antiquated, and there are times the network would fail.  

However, in addition to the negative public interactions, I ultimately left due to the lack of work-life balance. 

When I started, overtime was an occasional event.  If it happened, it was nothing major, usually less than 30 minutes.  That's not a big deal.  

However, when various changes were implemented by the State to "speed up" transitions, it instead did the opposite, causing OT to become a daily occurrence, often going into the early evening.  

When I got home after those days, all I could do was eat, shower, and get ready for the next day.  That is not a way to live.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Please note this is a high stress position and the stress comes from both the public and the supervisors

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Customers believe they can say anything to you. Talk about your race and ethnicity when you give bad news ie; your license is suspended, you've been driving without insurance on the car since you first registered it. The supervisors will belittle you, you are trained to believe any error will get you fired. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
In the Yonkers DMV it is toxic.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Tuesday thru Thursday are slow but Mondays and Fridays as well as any day after a holiday is chaotic.

Terrible place to work. Every DMV office is it's own separate kingdom, with a manager who treats it as their personal fiat to do whatever they want to. The only way to get treated as a human being is to keep quiet during the trial period (6 or 12 months, depending on your hire terms) and get fully accepted in the Civil Service system. After that, you pretty much have job security and much greater control over your day to day life. But it's a long road to that, and keeping silent while some martinet makes random, arbitrary decisions about your daily existence is no picnic.

Ticketing Department is a hostile work environment.  No talking to peers, No asking peers for assists, only ask supervisors or management.  Can not stand by peers cubicle for any amount of time, although the managers can.  It's more of as do as I say and not as I do workplace. A lot of micro-managing.  Intimidating sub-ordinance during probationary period.  Reprimanding sub-ordinance in front of others instead of a private setting.  If you are late a min or 2 from break or lunch, you are docked 15 mins out of your pay.  They also keep track of how long a person is in the restroom.  
This department is not worth the headache or mental stress.

Place is depressing. you have to make sure people fill out their application 100%, even down to the right eye color. if they spelled their own name wrong you will be penalized. State didn't even provide water coolers at the office, someone sold water and beverages. your supposed to clear at 4:30, but they don't know how to cut off people coming in. when you are finished with your work for the day in your section, they would have you sign in to another section to get rid of the other section customers. your 4:30 day always end up being a 6oclock day. they also have you coming in 15 min before your clock in time and if you come past 8:15 but before your start time of 8:30 they penalized you. A f**king joke.  

There was never a typical day at the DMV, always something and someone new everyday. Always given refresher courses or updated training in various areas, such as: Identifying fraudulent documents, IDs, and checks, etc.
Management was always encouraging and gave great guidance in various positions at the job. Would have "Walk a Mile in my Shoes" day!!!!
Hardest part of the job, not always fulfilling the customers needs.
Most enjoyable part of the job was the interaction with the public, never knew who was going to show up at your counter; being able to find a solution to a problem. Just being around my co-working friends.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Law assistant 5 salaries reported	$101,870 per year
Senior inspector 5 salaries reported	$65,062 per year
Inspector 1 salary reported	$65,062 per year
Technician trainee 9 salaries reported	$66,010 per year
Examiner 2 salaries reported	$51,808 per year

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