civil engineer

crew supervisor

project manager

utility line locator

survey technician

Woolpert

Woolpert's Unlimited PTO and Freedom to Work seem at first to be great benefits. 
Unlimited PTO for me was limited by excessive workload and counts against the 85% utilization rate expected. In the first quarter of 2024 I received compensation for 65 billable hours worked over 40 billable hours worked in a week. And having flexible hours (their freedom to work) means every available day, including weekends and holidays were eligible to be factored into my deadlines. Also Freedom to work means you can work from anywhere. Also a double edged sword. When I was visiting family out of town because my Mother In Law was dying in the hospital, I was expected to continue to work to make deadlines. Health benefits are not favorable - choose between two deductible plans ($6,500 Individual and $12,000 Family), one with co-pays for some services and 80/20 percent coinsurance after deductible is met, and the other where you pay full cost for services until the deductible is met and then they pay 100%. Very top-down management approach. 85% utilization expected and PTO, sick, and continuing education hours count against that utilization percentage. My position was eliminated, and I was let go (not performance based) with zero notice and three weeks’ severance. It took my supervisor 3 weeks to provide a letter of recommendation and it is not on Woolpert letterhead. And three weeks later, I had not received the severance pay or reimbursement for travel completed the Friday before the Monday they laid me off.  I never received a separation agreement.
Their geospatial division focuses mostly on collection of lidar and imagery and geospatial data for engineering purposes. They do not use geospatial analytics. They take data out of geodatabases and perform analyses in excel.  They manage data in excel and not in geodatabases. They are not a good place to be if you are a GIS Analyst. There is virtually no advancement path from people performing analyses to management. Technological advancements and improvements to enhance deliverables are not welcome. There is very much a "We've always done it this way and delivered this cookie cutter report and there is no need to do anything differently" attitude. 
If a project is billed - say 85% complete - but in reality, it is only 20% complete, the remaining hours billed to complete the project makes it look like the project is losing money. 
This may sound like sour grapes since I was let go, but I would like to spare others the difficulties I faced working for Woolpert, Inc.


Overall, Woolpert provides good opportunities to anyone who has GIS experience. I’ve often felt like they hire employees haphazardly, as “seat warmers” for positions that require more experience so that it takes a lot of mentorship from coworkers (not management) to train and bring new hires up to speed. Pay is low especially for contractors and they are not treated as well as salary employees. Job descriptions are vague and direction from management varies depending on who you ask, rarely are they on the same page. Management has their favorites and will promote those with less seniority than the individuals who have been loyal and deserving of promotion, rather they profit from the backs of hard workers. Company culture has changed significantly over the past few years and is much more profit driven than employee driven. Promotions come with salary increases but lack title change. I would say this company is a good gateway to get some GIS experience, then move on to better opportunities. 

The Proposal (Marketing) Department is currently under considerable flux, and lacks focus.  I do not wish to denounce Woolpert overall as a workplace, but I found, even with my 12 years of proposal writing/marketing within the A/E/C industry, that my skills were under utilized.  I was bored with the types of projects I was assigned to do proposals for, the majority of which were federal in nature.  My past experience was primarily within the private sector (higher education, hospitals, municipal, parks, recreation, etc.) and even though Woolpert had a small Design Department that worked in the private sector, unfortunately, I was not assigned to them.  Basically, there were circumstances, timing, etc. that resulted in this not being a good fit for me.  I did, however, enjoy the relaxed, casual atmosphere, as well as the flexibility to work from home, or wherever, when necessary.  I believe overall, Woolpert to be an excellent firm to work for.

Woolpert has changed a lot these past 5 years.  It's no longer about the employees but about profit and growth. Numerous tenured, high performing employees have left in the last couple years due to management showing very little appreciation for their efforts and commitment. Prior to these changes, I was proud of the company I worked for. Now, I regret not leaving sooner. 

Woolpert was a great place to work. While working there I was always encouraged to pursue particular areas of interest for me. Use of the latest technology was always encouraged and overall I was left to manage my day to day schedule as long and project schedules and budgets were met and client satisfaction was high.

There were no typical days. Some were filled with meetings internal and external to discuss ongoing projects or new work. Some days were spent focused on completing project related tasks. As a project Manager I was encouraged to focus on related non-technical tasks but because of the culture, I was able to keep some of my technical skills sharp.

Work is significantly increased.  Lots to learn, great people to work with.  Company is striving to do better with culture but still a white-male culture with a thick glass ceiling.  Remote work.  

Losing workers due to lowest pay in the area.  Unable to retain the workers they have in our area because they don’t increase the pay for the people that actually get the work done.   then they hire under skilled, inexperienced workers with the same or more pay than their experienced workers which is why people are leaving and going to other companies.  

I was originally attracted to work at Woolpert by the great benefits package. However, the job was extremely stressful (which may be why the above-average benefits are provided...?)

Upper-management was laxed, but the lower teir workers were under constant stress. I was very unimpressed with the management team.

I would be wary of the "Great Place to Work" title at this company. There are many other great places to work that don't pay for the title. The company knew this was a good way to attract employees, but it was hardly the best places I've ever worked!

If I was to interview again, I would not choose this company over any other firm. No longer will I be fooled with the "Great Place To Work" title.

Woolpert is an amazing organization! The leadership is excellent and I highly recommend.

There is great career growth and the ability to take charge of your career to a degree. As with any company, Woolpert isn't perfect but really strives to be better in an intentional way.

The only downside to the culture is the "good old boys club". Woolpert has a lot of internal politics that need to improve.  I worked in a high visble position and I had insight/access into multiple departments.  I've seen good people loose opportunities due to internal politics. However, it's still an amazing place to work.

Woolpert as a company is great, their culture and dynamic is amazing. Although the Woolpert Perrysburg office is a very small set up that was made for a contract with Columbia Gas.

The supervisor hired a few people he knew from previous positions and does tend to play favorites.

When I was hired back in March he was very specific in saying 6 months you will get a review to get a raise..Here in 2018 and nothing.

It is a relaxed environment compared to regular locating jobs, but don't expect any raises.

People are nice to work with.  Remote work is good but 25 dollars for reimbursement doesn’t cover the expense of internet/overhead/office at home. The volume of work has doubled per person in the last year as more job tasks/requirements have steadily increased.  The pay is too low for most and bonuses are a joke unless you’re management.  I’ve seen people who have been doing this job for several years making only 24 an hour and watch newly acquired people with less experience make over 32 and a couple at 50 an hour.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Civil engineer 9 salaries reported	$93,700 per year
Crew supervisor 7 salaries reported	$35.69 per hour
Project manager 8 salaries reported	$108,328 per year
Utility line locator 4 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour
Survey technician 3 salaries reported	$30.71 per hour

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