Pros
- Engineers are trusted to improvise, adapt and overcome, and everyone is given reasonable access to tools and mentors.
- Soft skills are a necessity for every role, and people at every level will bounce questions off of each other.
- People who don't fit the tech stereotypes do tend to flourish here. A number of the team are veterans, many are women, many started in other industries, maturity is valued, and degrees are valued but not over useful expertise.
- Long tenures and internal promotions are quite common.
- Company events generally include great food, and often include spouses and children, everyone tries to get to know everyone else.
- Account teams, managers and owners get to know both employees and clients well, and can advocate if a client is having some difficulty relating with IT.
- Managers do not have to spend all day in meetings, and most do still find time to pursue technical interests.
- HR is easy to work with and generally focused on employee needs such as annual raises.
- Benefits - salaries are sensible, healthcare benefits are traditionally generous, maternity and paternity leaves, pto starts at 3 weeks, clothing allowance, reimbursement for typical expenses such as cell phones and certifications,
- Location - The main office is a historic building, and more than half the desks have a window with a view of the city or the falls. There is onsite parking, electric car charging nearby, and a couple of restaurants and clients are within walking distance. Most positions involve substantial field or in office time. Many clients are within fair weather walking distance, most are within a 1-2 hour drive, and field employees are often assigned to clients convenient to their home. Most employees do not telecommute daily, but do so so for weather events, off hours maintenance, or as agreed.
- Hours are typically 8:30 - 5. Certain positions are different, and some are eligible after hours or on call work and pay.
Cons
- The dress code is conventional. Anyone used to telecommuting in a hoodie may need to re-adapt to working in polos and button ups. Natural hair is not an issue, but particularly visible tattoos or piercings could be an obstacle to field work and upward mobility.
- Work/life balance can be complicated, but this is improving, and the company is respectful of personal obligations.
- PTO needs to be used thoughtfully, most teams are small and both end of year and tax season can be busy.
