natural resource technician

senior environmental engineer

engineer

environmental specialist

investigator

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

I worked for TCEQ for multiple years and in multiple areas. One of the first things I learned was that they seldom give pay increases no matter how well you do your job. The agency does give a merit bonus (one time payment) to reward employees, but a monthly pay increase would be more welcome to most employees. Sadly, the salary levels are not in line with other state agencies and this is a big reason for many employees leaving TCEQ. One manager said that the only way to get a pay raise was to move into a different job (within the agency or at another agency). I've seen many employees leave for another agency, then get rehired back in their original position at a hire rate, so I guess this holds true. The good thing is that employees generally have a good chance to find other positions within the agency which gives them chances to move up and also increase work experience/job knowledge.
The work environment is pleasant for the most part; depending on the style of management you are under. I've worked for hands-off managers, micro-managers, and those in the middle of that spectrum. Expectations vary depending on management. Communication is the biggest concern. Knowing what is expected of an employee makes a huge difference in job satisfaction and performance. Mid-level supervisors can make or break the experience at TCEQ. When you get a good one (the kind who has your back), you really appreciate them.
One thing I can say is that the company as a whole really does care about their employees. Many employee wellness activities:  on-site exercise facility, lunchtime volleyball and other activities, annual employee appreciation events, competitions such as chili cook-offs, and during the winter holidays TCEQ is very generous with paid time off and lots of team building events. They also have walking paths which are mapped out for different distances (1 mile and up). TCEQ has free parking at the complex and the best perk:  they are not downtown! Two places are available for getting food on site (cafeteria in one building, and a smaller cafe in another building). There is also a nurse on site (or there was when I worked there).
I'd happily come back to work there if they had better salary options.

I *really* wanted to like this place. But six months in, I am finding I need to look for other work. The pay has been a huge issue - TCEQ is well-known as one of the lowest paying agencies in the state. They will try to tell you about the great healthcare benefits you get, the work schedules that are at minimum partly remote (depending on the position you apply for) and that PTO is easy to accumulate/ask for. And that you're working at a place with a noble mission to protect the Texas environment.

Don't buy it.

The fact is that TCEQ won't fix the one problem that is turning it into a revolving door employer: starting salaries that have made it impossible for workers to live comfortably in what has become a very expensive city. People are having to relocate to outlying areas just to stay. Which is largely why the agency is offering increasing numbers of remote positions to anyone in Texas. Austin is expensive and TCEQ knows it. So do all the employees who are leaving or looking to leave just as soon as they can find something better.

Then there is the hybrid vs. remote problem. Those who have to come into the office are held to pre-pandemic expectations/standards of conduct while remote workers have much greater flexibility. If you work on a team like mine that is half remote and half hybrid, that causes a *lot* of resentment and bad feeling. That management refuses to address with more equitable solutions.

Management, too, has become problematic. They say one thing and often do another, which leads to even more resentment. In my division, at least, all the supervisors seem to really care about is working their way into an executive office. And they don't think twice about overloading people - especially the good employees - with more work than they can handle well.

Unless you *really* need a job, do yourself a favor and avoid this place. 




Initially, I was very eager to get started at TCEQ. Being fresh from undergrad and interested in pursuing law, I thought working for this agency as a Legal Secretary would provide me with in-depth exposure to environmental laws that govern Texas. How wrong I was. I quickly learned that as a "Legal Secretary" or "Legal Support Specialist," you are an over-glorified mail person and PDF editor. This discovery only worsened when I realized how corrupt and toxic management is. The manager plays HEAVILY to favorites and is, quite frankly, the most unpleasant person I have ever worked with. They would consistently micro-manage me and my coworkers. In addition to this, onboarding is a complete train wreck. Instead of providing actual in-depth, face-to-face training, they give you the "Secretary Manual" (that only applies to you if they don't like you) and mentor(s) who will most likely not care about you. Pay is very low, especially given the rising living costs in Austin. Work-life balance is decent, given the high number of State Holidays and options to work remotely. However, it's not worth much if your work is extremely tedious, mundane, and can easily be accomplished by basic AI models. Overall, my experience working here was extremely disappointing. I advise anyone with half a brain (or sense of morality) to stay far away from this poorly run and underfunded Government Agency. You have been warned.

Environmental Investigators (also known as Natural Resource Specialists) do inspections of facilities that are subject to environmental regulations, write reports evaluating their compliance, citing violations when needed. You will either be in the air, water, or waste section. The Houston region is large enough that there are further subdivisions within those sections. The waste section includes municipal solid waste, industrial and hazardous waste, and petroleum storage tanks. The water section includes public water supply, water quality (wastewater), and surface water quality monitoring. The air section includes Title V, emission events, and stack testing. You will learn a lot about the rules within your subdivision. 

I would most recommend the TCEQ to someone trying to get their first job in the environmental realm. That is the way it functions now: a place for people to get a couple of years of experience before they escape. The culture is rather strict and occasionally toxic. A lot depends on which section you are in. The Waste Section has the best reputation. The Air Section might have the worst reputation. Beware emissions events specifically.

On the other hand, the high turnover does create openings for people to advance to higher positions. State holidays are numerous, and there are also skeleton crew days when you don't have to work, but if you do, you earn that time to take off in the future.

Very good and positive environment.  Lot of customer service contact external and internal.  Learned to have a keen eye for detail when performing investigation's.  Performs complex record review investigations, evaluates deficiencies and reviews technical reports. Determines compliance with applicable statutes and rules, and prepares precise and accurate enforcement documents including letters, memos, summaries, technical recommendations and data entry. Provides tracking of compliance schedules. Maintains electronic databases updates and verifies violation status and tracks all assigned enforcement actions from initiation. Delivers customer service by providing information both verbally and in writing, about applicable rules, regulations and policies. Organizes and conducts detailed technical meetings and conferences in order to discuss compliance matters or provide information to the regulated community. Assigned as the Public Information Request representative for the Office Of Compliance and Enforcement team. Supervise employees whenever upper management is absent.

Everyone always said good morning so everyday was a nice commencement. Made one happy and willing to start work.

I learned several things while working here. I learned more about Data Entry and some of the permits that apply to different areas of Texas

Sharpened my skilled to file and organize data and information. Learned to communicate quickly and work in a team to search for information, files, and/or permits requested by customers. My favorite part was actually filing all files and permits after customers return them.

Most if not all coworkers were friendly and always willing to help. The hardest part of my job? Well, I think the hardest part of my job was that fact that the office had no heating. So it was very cold specially during winter. Other than that, all of my work was simple.

As previously mentioned, the most enjoyable part of my job was filing the documents and permits back in place once returned to the office by customers.

This position was investigation and evaluation of facilities for compliance with permits.  Most anyone out of college can do. Training is good for obtaining certificates but in house training is lacking on the specifics of the job. Much of the computer and some sampling equipment is outdated. The database is ancient and it makes the job difficult to do especially when there is no in  office training on procedures and methods for entering data and report production. The pay is very low and there are no merit or cost of living increases. This would be an entry level position at best and is not for career bound persons unless you plan to move on outside of the agency.  The people are typical of an office environment, gossipers, workaholic super achievers, and underdogs. The office does have planned events to break up the every day monotony and stress of the office environment.

When I started, it was a whirlwind onboarding process. However, they provided several training resources and a dedicated mentor. Downside, my supervisor was on vacation and I didn’t meet her for 3-4 days following my first day. Mentorship was a strong suit only because of the mentor’s natural abilities not because she had been taught at TCEQ. Management was lacking in building a relationship, did not inquire if I needed help, and referred me to my mentor for every issue. Absences were frowned upon and if our leave balances fell below 40 hours we were said to be counseled. However, favored employees were allowed to take time off and bend the rules consistently. TCEQ was concerned about adhering to the policy of paying time worked over 40 hours, but it had to be approved which never occurred. Ultimately, I quit because of management. 

I've had both good an bad management at TCEQ. The luck of the draw is where you fall. My current management is corrupt. They are doing very illegal, unethical things, but upper management is allowing it. While the benefits and time off at the agency are great, it again depends on which department you land in. Some departments are terrible about letting employees use their annual or sick leave, while other areas are fine with staff taking time off work. The environment is business casual, but there is not always a sense of team. Often there is a fear of retaliation if staff disagrees with management, or makes a complaint. And managers are quick to throw employees under the bus for their (manager's) mistakes. Raises are small, and non existent if your manager doesn't like you. Regardless of how good an employee you are, if managers don't like you they will not give you promotions, raises, or help you along in your career. You must be very careful which department you get in with.

The Houston Regional Office management harbors an extremely unhealthy environment that I have never witnessed before in the 20 previous years I served in government relations working in the state prison/jail system. I was hired with 3 other Admin Assistant, to make a total of 4 admins hired at the same time. When I began work, I soon learned that the 4 previous admin assistants all just walked out and quit because they had enough. We started with limited training because there was no one there with experience to train us. This place is filled with Divas, with the asst who serves the director, who actually dresses and looks like a streetwalker. If you do not fit in with their culture, you will become part of the multitude of people who are walked out daily. I have never witnessed anything like this in my career.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Natural resource technician 4 salaries reported	$67,500 per year
Senior environmental engineer 5 salaries reported	$47,540 per year
Engineer 6 salaries reported	$66,321 per year
Environmental specialist 3 salaries reported	$5,269 per month
Investigator 3 salaries reported	$52,150 per year

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