maintenance specialist

administrative assistant

social worker

program assistant

accountant

State of Colorado

It took a long time 4 the whole process 2 even be hired. After I was hired, I showed up 2 the facility they had me shadowing for 2 weeks! Then I was sent off to a 2 week Academy if u pass u go back 2 work the following day! Reminder: @ the Academy ur only taught HR policies CPR & self defense tactics! They don't show u how 2 write the reports or how 2 navigate thru their software programs or how 2 properly use radio 4 dispatching. At the beginning of ea shift u have a mandatory meeting “supposably” its 2 motivate u! However its quite the opposite! I feel sorry 4 new staff because nothing positive takes place at these meetings moreover the staff there are all unhappy & bitter people that being rude & sarsarcastic is a norm for them. The supervisors who are leading these meetings are just as bad if not worse “What example they are SMH” As 4 the new staff members attending these types of meetings 4 the 1st time they are overlooked not pay much attention 2. They’re made to feel not welcome & like their burdens. New people truly just get thrown in2 the lions den without any proper training! So it’s either sink or swim its ea man 2 its own there “Its a doggie dog world”. Supervisors set new people with a regular staff member/s who either does or doesn’t have any experience in training a new CO. HOWEVER the person who is in charge of training the newbie most likely already hates their job & so will teach their newbie bad working habits! Poor newbies they are set for failure from the very beginning! “They have no chance for success” “(THEN THEY WONDER WHY NEW PEOPLE FAIL SMH”!) The new people come in with hopes & dreams for wanting to help the youth to make them better people, but soon they find out it was all false wishes “Why because all staff there are set in their old ways and far to lost in their corrupted ways”! The facility, were I worked at is inconsistent they lack communication with it comes 2 programming the youth. They do not follow HR polices. They cover up their favorite employees wrong doings & don’t hold them accountable for their bad behaviors! There is a lot of favoritism. They cuss at the youth all the time because the supervisors themselves do it! All the CO's there constantly horseplays with the youth & With this said; because there is No relationship boundaries or consistency the youth run all over staff all day long! Youth there are pampered, spoiled & very disrespectful. Moreover, a youth can cuss at CO and or hit one without any consciences So because of this kids do what they want when they want too!  Staff are required 2 work 12 to 15 hrs daily! However supervisors there give it a better name “Such as; you’re volunteering ur time” U are not allowed a lunch break, or any given any two 15-mins breaks. U cant say no to OT time & no matter what the weather you have to show up for your shift because you are considered an essential worker. You stand all day! U have to bring ur own perishable food/lunch & eat it in pod while walking around observing the youth. Sad to say this but!!! Ur only break is going 2 restroom. Those who are the favorite employees who happens to be a smoker “are the only ones who are allowed breaks”! The supervisors will say this isn’t true lol “ those. liars” Be mindful u also have to pay for your own uniforms, shirts/pants/belt/ key lanyards/watch.1 more thing to add! There has been staff who were about to finish their 1 yr probation period & at the end of their work shift they were called into the office and got let go “wow how dirty of them to do this!!! If you are a type of person who believes in humanity & equal rights & Justice for all do yourself a favor don’t waste ur time working for (Marvin Foote Center) its isn’t worth your time. The whole youth correction facilities throughout Colorado needs to be seriously fixed. This is why the turnover rate for the juvenile corrections is so high. Hope this info helps u reconsidering employment with these department’s.

This is typical government work-the kind people outside the public sector joke about. Urgency is not a well-known concept, and there are an infinite number of rules. On the plus side, overtime is strictly forbidden, so there is no reason at all to ever take work home. 

Cronyism/favoritism is rampant. You'll get ahead if your supervisor really likes you. Sometimes positions are created out of nowhere for a particularly well-liked employee, and are not subject to general open position rules.

Training and development is available via a set of electronic courses which can be very hit or miss, but you have to do them during the workday, and if you don't have the time, too bad.

Departmental units do not communicate well. No unit seems to know what another does, or how they all fit together. In some units, cross-training is heavily discouraged, or even forbidden. There's a lot of "that's not my job, so why should I do it?" 

Complacency of longtime employees who are really only there for a paycheck, decent benefits, and retirement is a significant problem. These employees refuse to step one foot outside the parameters of their job, and make no secret about it. They don't care to learn anything further than they need to, and have a tendency to abuse the pto/sick leave system. 

Pay is terrible. Denver cost of living has skyrocketed in the last few years, and pay has not kept up. There has been no cost of living raise for the last few years, while the state legislature happily votes themselves raises on a regular basis and new employees get hired in at a higher rate than existing employees with more experience are currently paid. 

Employees have banded pay tiers, yet cannot move upward within their pay band because merit raises do not exist. It doesn't matter if an employee has been given the highest reviews available by management. The review system is a joke, and seems to be based on how much a supervisor likes someone in their unit. Hard work and going above and beyond is not incentivized, and can contribute heavily to burnout and eventual complacency.

In general, employees are nice enough, and some of them genuinely want to serve the public. It's too bad office politics gets in their way. Also the offices are easily accessible via public transportation, though the cost of that went up recently, without any compensation for employees to offset the hiked up cost.

I am committed to working for the State of Colorado and have been with State government for over 25 years.  I have had great jobs and not so great jobs during my tenure.  I have had really incredible Managers and also Managers that I did not care for. Over time, I have learned that happiness on the job is not a continuous state and that there are many factors that create a positive work environment.  Most that I have no control over.  

I work in a Long Term Care Facility.  My office environment is busy, I have a lot of interruptions, I have to stay focused to stay on task, Often my needs come 2nd to others.  I have several date sensitive administrative tasks that I perform. 

My immediate coworkers are Rec Therapists, some of which are C.N.A's, and they not are typical office colleagues.  They create activities and track and monitor seniors life's. They work very hard.  They can sometimes be self-absorbed, arrogant, petty and not professional.  I think we are very different.   I am the only administrative person on the team.    

Presently the hardest part of my job is dealing with a few difficult personalities, not being able to do more challenging work, feeling under valued, not having time to do my job well, always having to back up others or perform other jobs because we are short handed or people did not plan for other staff to be off properly.  But none of that is continuous - fortunately.

The most enjoyable part of my job is sometimes working with interesting people, occasionally writing tasks are fun, getting new and varied tasks, (I get bored sometimes), getting to use my strengths.  Making some of the people/residents & families I come in contact with feel good and that creates joy for both of us.  Offering new ideas & solutions and having people take me serious and utilize them.  I like to problem solve. I am good at creating processes that work. 

I have several friends at my place of employment and I am lucky they are in my world. I value their friendship immensely.  They help make my work days brighter. 

Overall, I feel I have a good job. I look at the big picture sometimes to feel that way, but it is really true.  I am grateful.  I am paid fairly well.  I have a purposeful life.

After hired u show up 2 facility u stay there shadowing 1 or 2 weeks! Then your sent off to a 2 week Academy if u pass u go back 2 wk! Reminder: @ the Academy ur only taught HR policies CPR & self defense! They don't show u how 2 write the reports or how 2 navigate thru their software programs or how 2 use your radio. Most of staff  hate their jobs! @ the beginning of ea shift u have a mandatory meeting “supposably” its 2 motivate u! However its quite the opposite! I feel sorry 4 the new people because nothing positive takes place in these meetings they are all rude & sarsarcastic. NEW people truly just get thrown in2 the lions den. So  it’s either learn quick or sink because its ea man 2 its own there. The facility is inconsistent they lack communication with it comes 2 programming the youth they do not practice HR policies. Such as cussing at the youth and not becoming their buddy buddies. With this said; because there is no relationship boundaries the youth run all over staff all day long! they are pampered, spoiled disrespectful youth. Moreover, a youth can cuss at CO and or hit one without any consequences! Staff is required 2 work between 12 to 15 hrs daily! However supervisors there call it “ you’re volunteering”  U are not allowed a lunch break, or any given any two 15-mins breaks. No cell phones are permitted u have to leave it in your vehicle! U cant say no to OT time & no matter what the weather you have to show up for your shift because you are considered an essential worker. You stand all day! U have to bring ur own perishable food/lunch & eat it in pod while walking around observing the youth. Sad to say this but!!!  Ur only break is going 2 restroom. Oh yea & only smokers are only allowed breaks! U also have to pay for your own uniforms, shirts/pants/belt/ key lanyards/watch. Most of every employee there are so unhappy & have high anxiety! They act just like they kids doing time!  1 more thing to add! There has been staff who were about to finish their 1 yr probation period & at the end of their work shift they were called into the office and got let go “SMH” those corrupted, ruthless supervisors. REMEMBER ur nothing but a number to them. So please do yourselves a favor RUN don’t waste  ur time here its isn’t worth it plus u will no longer have a life working here & they will make sure of it …

I was an Admin. Asst. in personnel and worked out of the Central Office in Colorado Springs.

I conducted all personnel processes that recruit, screen, test, interview and select employees to satisfy appointing authorities in 22 separate correctional agencies and facilities.

I managed and updated the personnel manual, maintained position records on over 4,000 employees and positions.  I noted, logged and filed all confidential results from NCIC/CCIC/DCIS and background checks.  I processed crime information thru computerized telecommunications and data base networks.

I screened information and applications for automatic disqualifies and notified appropriate appointing authorities and/or supervisors.

I provided technical assistance in the areas of classifications and selections activities for the Human Resource Classifications Specialist.

I contacted applicants to schedule interviews with the investigators for pre-employment interviews and coordinated with those investigators per scheduling, follow-up and disposition.

I maintained test scores and referrals thru the Application Data System.  I updated this system to include adding and changing data and entering test scoring results and factoring the results.

I generated referrals, updated referral status and outcome, and generated and mailed letters to applicants.

I responded to the public with questions pertaining to classifications and selections activities.

This position was very busy with a very large workload but it made the days zip by and I met a lot of very good people.

I had the opportunity to train on the job for many new duties and was compensated for the added duties.

I would recommend this job to anyone who loves a heavy workload and a very busy office with many people to support you doing a good job.

The work was rewarding,but it was time to retire and relax for a while. I was not sure if I wanted to stay retired or not. I have elected to seek another position closer to home, so the travel time would not be so time consuming. I worked downtown, near the Capitol and the travel time was from 2 to 3 hours commute every day.
The basic position was customer service oriented, and we did talk to claimants on a daily basis, and for many years, I worked as an adjudicator and made decisions on job separations based on the laws of Colorado for unemployment benefits.
Yes, I will miss the co-workers whom I worked with in the unit, but there is always the friendship that you make on the job. In my building there were over 400 employees, and you really never get to know everyone, based on their job duties, and your interaction to their job duties with your position.
The last few years was the hardest part of the job, working with the federal unemployment funds, discovering fraud, with claimants working and not reporting earnings when they were working, and collecting unemployment at the same time, and then trying to recapture funds that were established as overpayment. I worked with ledgers on excel spreadsheets, had to try to recover funds, and try to pay the claimant, who may still be unemployed, or who may still be in a fraud situation with the State of Colorado.
The most enjoyable part of the position was the knowledge that I made a difference in the claimants' lives. It was rewarding, when a claimant would tell you " thank you", whether it was on the initial contact with the claimant when they filed a claim, or when you answered a question for them concerning their unemployment claim.

I am afforded the opportunity to schedule my own daily work tasks and appointments for the most part (other than team/agency meetings), and I am allowed to pursue or emphasize activities I prefer while minimizing others that may be less desireable. Working both independently and within a team has many advantages. Excellent co-workers with similar goals and work values are a big plus in my job.

A typical work day can include the following:
1-2 hour morning team meeting.
2 individual appointments/intakes with clients on my caseload; documenting these in the computerized case management system.
Facilitating a job seeing skills group (for example: with people who have criminal backrounds or other relevant topics; providing attendance & feedback to their respective counselors.
Going to meet with a couple of students at a local high school or a couple of Human Service clients referred to DVR; documentation for those with open cases.
Going out into the community to network, attend business meetings or trainings or to meet with employers for the purpose of job development.

Of course many other activities and work duties are likely on any given day. For example. episodic mentoring and training or new staff and interns is common. Attending outside meetings and staffings such as participating as member of a Work Force Center Committee or a local business association are also activities I enjoy regularly.

Staff are asked to do unethical and unlawful things. The ED has made it clear that government employees are bad and need to go, and people from private are good and need to be hired in to replace the non-stop exodus of seasoned, loyal employees. The senior executive team has more than doubled and received raises, while individual contributor positions are being taken, creating massive capacity and program management issues. Staff are treated as if they have no value and make no contributions. Executives don't seem to care about staff, the mission, compliance, program management, taxpayer money, or the people we serve.  Senior executives are adversarial with state and federal partners, frequently telling staff that negative findings and feedback are related to the partners being bad and not getting it, but totally unrelated to gross mismanagement of programs and functions. Nearly all senior leaders are out for themselves and personal gain, while knowingly allowing staff to be mistreated. It is a toxic culture of bullying, mistreatment, and executive infighting. HR continues to cater to executives, while failing to perform core duties to protect staff. Staff doing the work tend to be kind and knowledgeable, but are constantly set up for failure. Staff are becoming desperate for change because they are being forced out of their jobs with no options for help. The corruption both with federal and state laws with agency management and personnel management is heartbreaking and making everyone lose faith in the government.

Working  at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind has its challenges, many of which stem from issues within the administration. While the benefits offered to staff are decent, they come with high costs.  Unfortunately, the school’s management is unsupportive and often quick to criticize teaching staff without offering particularly constructive feedback or meaningful assistance. This lack of support creates a difficult work environment for many teachers.  Classes are oversized by special education standards.  

Another major issue is the treatment of deaf staff. Despite being a school dedicated to the education and empowerment of the deaf community, the administration frequently shows a lack of respect toward its deaf employees. Many administrative positions are held by hearing individuals, which contributes to a lack of understanding and communication between leadership and deaf staff members. Advancement opportunities are limited, often requiring the right connections rather than merit or experience.

Overall, while working at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind offers a meaningful chance to make a difference in students' lives, the lack of administrative support from direct supervisors and lack of respect for deaf staff can make the experience frustrating and demoralizing. Overall staff morale is exceedingly low.  More equitable leadership and support are sorely needed.

There are agencies that are worse than others. Some like CDPHE is one of those. This is not a place for folks who are smart, creative and out-of-the box thinkers. Inertia, preserving status quo and inefficient processes, along with blame pushing and egoism are just staggering. No transparency, accountability, integrity - both internally and externally, when serving the public, which should be their primary mission. 
Complacency of longtime employees who are only there for a paycheck, benefits, and retirement is a major problem. 
Cronyism is rampant - you will get ahead if your supervisor really likes you as long as you can swallow all their nonsense. There are managers that feel threatened by their subordinates' competency and superior qualifications. Merit and intelligence are seen as an obstacle they will remove.
Staff turn over is high. Managers are petty bosses, not leaders.
Some divisions and units are much better than others, with teams truly enjoying working together, but this is all thanks to their respective managers that are supportive of their employees. For instance, their sustainability unit is actually concerned about sustaining the paper-pushing practices and self-interested agendas only to preserve their own jobs. Disappointing! 
Pros
There are some commited, visionary employees but they leave the place once they figure out the game and mentality.
Cons
People are treated as disposables.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Maintenance specialist 71 salaries reported	$30.92 per hour
Administrative assistant 94 salaries reported	$4,338 per month
Social worker 70 salaries reported	$7,656 per month
Program assistant 51 salaries reported	$5,278 per month
Accountant 31 salaries reported	$6,953 per month

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