It's an OK place. - Anonymous employee ORAU Employee Review

3.0
Jun 10, 2019
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good work/life balance if you know how to work smart on your projects. Decent benefits. Depending on the co-workers for certain projects, you might be on a good team where the manager trusts you to do your job with little interference.

Cons

Be prepared to have to step in to do other people's work because they won't bother learning their job's required skill-set (i.e. programs or just in general know-how of simple tasks). At times some people overstep their bounds/roles to tell others how to do their job which hinders final products from being the best they can be. Lack of training budgets and/or willingness to get training for people to make better solutions or strides. Management claims the needle is moving for better solutions and work but that hasn't happened yet most likely due to the "good old boy" system of the area and/or the old mentality of previous management styles.

Explore other reviews about ORAU

5.0
May 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good contract work with the EPA

Cons

Contract got cut earlier than planned

1.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The pros heavily depend on your host facility, program manager and mentor. My mentor is great and allows me lots of freedom to do my work and develop my skills. Depending on your host facility you get to work with federal agencies and potentially get connections for a permanent job.

Cons

We are considered not employed, but a "participant in a program". Our salary is a taxable income. There is no benefits other than an offered health insurance that costs hundreds each month out of your salary for minimal coverage. There is no PTO. You have to ask permission if you want to take a day off or go on a trip. Any problems with the management goes unnoticed and you get told by ORISE to speak to the program manager even if they are the problem.

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