TxDOT reviews

Agency uses forced-ranking system (for performance appraisal). Favorites get highest ranking, regardless of utility to the organization, or individual productivity. Many useless workers get away with doing almost no work. Abysmal management, most of which are political appointees hired to not let laws or ethics get in the way of accelerating and pushing road projects through. The two running the division I was in are skirt-chasers who show favoritism in pay and promotion for young, relatively attractive females.

Pay raises are rare and do not match inflation. Most people below director level get a 1-3% raise every 2 years. Directors are rewarded with larger pay raises. Use the Texas Chronicle’s government salary web page to see for yourself. There is no clear guidance on getting a pay raise. It’s definitely not merit and I suspect favoritism plays a huge role. You will be lied to on why you are not getting a raise. The only way to get a significant bump in pay is to move positions outside your division or district. I saw several people get promoted internally to a higher B level, and the initial offer had no pay raise. You will not do well if your job is only in one district or division. Saving money is not a priority. I saved a few hundred thousand and no one cared. Spend those government dollars. Processes and standard operating procedures are extremely complex. I think people do this to justify their jobs. Hard and effective work is rewarded with more work. Throttle down your work ethic to slightly above average. This is the way.