City Engineer vs. Private Sector Engineer

[leqk]

I am currently working for a consulting firm. I just got an offer from the city for the civil engineer position. I just want some opinions on what are the advantages and disadvantages working as a city engineer in comparasion to a private sector engineer.

 

[roadmonkey]

City Engineer will see things from a public adminstrative point of view. Meaning working for an elected official and reviewing a lot of plans from developers/consultants. I think it would be interesting to try it out as you are then the client for consultants and would see things from a completely different perspective.

Consulting Engineer will definately get more design experience and proabably have more design resources available.

I know my company often hires former city engineers to do sales and possibly upper level management. They know more about the owner/designer relationships than someone working straight design.

 

[Techie_Junkie_PE_LEED_AP]

Typically working for a city, state or federal government, you earn less than the going salary, but the benefits are better with more security.

For example, with a municipality, you'd probably get a PENSION, not a 401k. Not many places give pensions anymore, as I'm sure you know. So, if you can deal with less money up front, that's an attractive deal.

Also, you usually get more vacation and sick leave (great if you have kids or like to vacation) and are rarely laid off or downsized (typically done through retirements) and may even be in a union, if that matters.

Many people want a higher salary NOW, and don't consider the future. If you are disciplined financially, maybe a higher salary is better for you.

Is the city offering you an equal salary, higher or lower than you currently make??

 

[Dark Knight]

Have been in both places. State and Federal, and also private and now city. There is a huge difference. The city engineer, at least based on the experiences I am going thru, has to be willing to do everything. He/She also has to be an administrator, a skill that I lack.

I like the City Engineer atmosphere. It is relaxed and up to a certain point informal. Maybe that is why I am OK. I am making more $$$ here and came from the private sector but that will depend on the city. Benefits are good. Have a pension plan and a 401k alike plan too. It is call 457 and it is basically a 401k for cities or municipalities.

Good Luck

 

[Vishal]

i think both the views above are right on the money.. in addition to that you may also want to consider before taking a decision that are you going to be on the governemnt side for the rest of the career or you are planning to come back to the consulting side. the switc from private to public doesn't hurt much except financially, but coming from public to private is a challenge. you need to have good contacts plus yourwork hours and commitment will be greater while looking to come back..

btw, y r u considering to switch in the first place? is it just coz u want to try your hand on the public side or it is to change the jobs? in that case y did u not consider changing firms and still be in the private sector.

 

[Desert Engineer]

You might also consider that you would most likely be working with inept people or people with an axe to grind that would never last in the private sector. I see both at the public agency I work at and the cities we serve with water. You have to be very patient in dealing with both types and realize that you are going to be working with them for a long time.

Just food for thought…

 

[Dark Knight]

You might also consider that you would most likely be working with inept people or people with an axe to grind that would never last in the private sector. I see both at the public agency I work at and the cities we serve with water. You have to be very patient in dealing with both types and realize that you are going to be working with them for a long time.Just food for thought…

I have seen inepts working at very high levels on both the private and the public sides too. It is just a matter of leverage(aka knowing the right persons).

 

[HERO]

Go for it dude! It's a once in a life time chance.

 

[ALBin517]

After working for firms for about 10 years, I now work for a municipality.

The position equivalent to city engineer is in a collective bargaining association, but not union. It's tough for him to get fired. But our association is not as strong as a union. We can't strike and the municipality really has to be unreasonable for us to be able to appeal to somebody outside during negotiations. I mean, we can appeal but we wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

And if he gets promoted, he would be Director of Public Works. That position pays well and gets a car but it's totally at-will. As a matter of fact, the last one was "asked to leave" because he didn't do well with politics. Our city engineer position is somewhat political also.

Everyone in our association is on 401a retirement plan. The last person with a pension retired a couple years ago. But the employer contribution is 12.5% which is tough to beat.

The health insurance is presently 100% paid. But starting January 1st, employee contribution for families will be $50 per month before taxes. Singles will remain 100% paid and couples will contribute less than the family rate.

Also, you may have to put up with some employee attitudes that would never be tolerated in private industry. We have one particular person in support staff who is totally worthless. But it would be nearly impossible to fire them with the given labor agreements.

 

[HERO]

I am currently working for a consulting firm. I just got an offer from the city for the civil engineer position. I just want some opinions on what are the advantages and disadvantages working as a city engineer in comparasion to a private sector engineer.

If you do take the job:

1. What you need to be aware is whether that position is an emergency appointment or a permanent position. Be aware of their policy and know the difference between the two.

2. You need to find out the probationary period. When it starts and when it ends, what do they expect and what are your rights as a City employee.

3. Join the union for job protection as soon as you can.

4. Have super thick skin and be patient: you're going to meet a lot of crazy ass people in City government.

5. Be a team player!

Best Regards!

 

[Road Guy]

made the switch from consulting to local govt last year, its been an interesting road and one that I think will pay dividends down the road if I decide to get back into consulting, the bad part is that I was out until about 4:30 this am (thanksgiving day)babysitting a gas main that one of our contractors subs hit. Its a daily fire drill that you never know what will need to be put out when you show up to work. BUt I find it incredibly interesting and challenging.

It was different from consulting where I was used to producing something and know I just seem to manage chaos.

 

[Stud]

I have seen inepts working at very high levels on both the private and the public sides too. It is just a matter of leverage(aka knowing the right persons).

Totally true! I've worked in public and private industry and ineptitude runs strong on both sides, not just the public sector.

 

[ALBin517]

2. You need to find out the probationary period. When it starts and when it ends, what do they expect and what are your rights as a City employee.

Not all city employees have the same rights, even within the same city. My municipality workforce includes Teamsters, at-will employees, and employees represented by numerous other associations.

The probationary period for most of my coworkers is six months. The engineer group is twelve months. I was counting down the days to my anniversary. Then with about 40 days left, one of the guys in my department quit. I knew I was home free after that. Reminded me of getting a really good fake ID about 15 months before I turned 21.

 

[leqk]

They offer me the Civil Engineer I position with 5% raise from my current rate. However there is a requirement that I would have to pass the PE exam in 6 month. If I do not pass it, they have to bring my wage 5% back down and the position would just Associate Engineer until I pass the exam.

City employee benefits that they offer:

Retirement: 6% PERS. $20/month

Vacation: 10 days (1-3 years of employment)

Sick Leave: 8 hr/month

Medical and Dentail Insurance: Employee pays 5% of the premimium which comes out to be about 42/month for employee + spouse

Raise: 2.5% - 4.5% per year.

Position Level: 6 different Level

When review the information, everything is great. The only thing that I concern is about passing the exam. It's already stressful just taking the PE exam. Now adding the fact that I have to pass it otherwise my wage will be cut and the position will be associate engineer instead of civil engineer, I don't know how I would handle it in case I don't pass and how they will think about me.

If I don't pass the exam I took in October, April exam will be my second time. I did study very hard for the exam but passing the exam is a total different ball game.

What do you think about my concern. Please give me advise. Thanks.

 

[Dleg]

Go for it. I don't think anyone who has gone through all of that and gotten their PE (as I assume your supervisors have) will think badly of you if you don't get it your first time around. 5% isn't too bad to gamble with. Besides, it's very possible you've already passed.