Pros
- Good benefits in terms of healthcare and retirement pension. - Probably one of the highest paying employers in the field of landscape architecture with incredible work-life balance. - No need to worry about job security. Once you're in the system, it's highly unlikely that you'll get fired because of macroeconomic situations (or whatever that's going on in the world causing private companies to lay off people). - People are generally friendly. If they are not, you can report them to HR. - Less mind games and vicious competition among employees because of the lack of motivation to do so. You do not get a raise for performing better than others. You do not get a raise when your peers look worse than you. You only get a raise according to the state's salary formula, once a year.
Cons
- Slow paced. Some projects take 20 years to complete from planning to end of construction. It's what you would expect from an US government agency though. - Lack of motivation to outperform or become more innovative because there are no monetary rewards for doing so. Again, you only get a raise according to the state's salary formula, once a year. - Most employees are old timers. Could be good or bad.
