Discussion Thread

Observations on working in a public agency

  • 1.  Observations on working in a public agency

    Posted 02-15-2021 10:01 AM

    Civil engineers who shared their experience and advice in “Explore Engineering Careers in Public Agencies” responded to 6 questions we didn’t get to during the live roundtable discussion.  Here are their answers to the fourth question in this series of posts: 

    Today’s question:  In working for a public agency, what has surprised you the most about how government works?  (Answers are based on individual experiences and are not necessarily representative of practices at all public agencies.)

    Greg DiLoreto, P.E., P.L.S., Pres.13.ASCE
    Retired CEO from Tualatin Valley Water District (OR)
    I am not sure that I was surprised, since I was around public works my entire life as my father was a public works civil engineer.  What is important to keep in mind is that working in the public works field is part of a political process and we must remember that as engineers, it is not black and white.  What is more important is how we use our skills to achieve the results that the elected leaders desire.  I was taught by elected officials to always give them options and your career would be short if you continued to say there’s only one way to do it. 

    Kristina Swallow, P.E., Pres.18.ASCE
    Director, Nevada Department of Transportation
    I think there are a lot of big misconceptions out there about the people who work for public agencies.  I have found that the team I work with is passionate, dedicated, ready to evolve and grow, and committed to doing the best they can for the people they serve.  I truly enjoy working with our team and being a part of our program. 

    Brian Phan, P.E., M.ASCE
    Transportation Engineering Associate, Los Angeles Department of Transportation – California
    Funding is limited and we are very careful about how we spend our funding for our projects. 

    Jarred Jones, P.E., M.ASCE
    Executive Director, North Charleston (SC) Sewer District
    It depends on an individual’s circumstances and what type of retirement system an agency has.  I am under a retirement system that allows retirement with a pension after 28 years of service.  In theory, some employees could retire around 50.  The new retirement system enacted a few years ago for new employees requires them to be closer to 60.  From what I have witnessed, public agency employees generally retire a little bit earlier than private-sector employees when there is a retirement system in place. 

    Edith Martinez-Guerra, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE
    Research Environmental Engineer, US Army Corps of Engineers- Engineer Research and Development Center
    Usually, there is the stereotype of slow-paced work, but I disagree.  I work on research, and it is fast-paced work in the government. 

    If you missed our live session watch the recording posted on the Career Discovery web page https://collaborate.asce.org/covid-19/career-discovery.  Also register there for future roundtable sessions exploring civil engineering careers in consulting, education, construction, and industry – and bring your questions for our panelists!

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    Becky Waldrup P.E., M.ASCE
    Senior Manager, Professional Activities
    American Society of Civil Engineers
    Reston VA
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