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  • 1.  Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers

    Posted 05-30-2017 09:42 AM
    Edited by Natalya Sokolovskaya 05-30-2017 01:32 PM

    Hi all!  I am curious if there is a website catering specifically to part time and contract jobs in water resources (or civil and environmental engineering in general). I have heard of several freelance websites for programmers/editors etc. Those usually allow contractors and those seeking jobs to maintain their profiles, advertise the jobs on a project-by-project basis; provide secure payment options; sometimes provide a form of identity or qualifications check; as well as an opportunity to rate both employees and employers. I think the operating principle is somewhat similar to the AirBnB website. I was curious if anyone is aware of similar marketplaces for engineers in the US, or of the reasons why they don't exist.



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    Natalya Sokolovskaya P.E., M.ASCE
    Wynnewood PA
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  • 2.  RE: Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers

    Posted 05-31-2017 09:35 AM
    Interesting question - very interested to hear if anyone has insight on this one.

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    Scott Blossom A.M.ASCE
    President / Senior Engineer
    Blossom Consulting and Engineering Inc.
    Williamsburg VA
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  • 3.  RE: Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers

    Posted 05-31-2017 11:53 AM
    Aerotek is the closest to a marketplace for Part-Time and Contract work for engineers that I am aware of. The hardest thing to get around is whether the individual is operating as a person or entity. If they are operating as a person, a company has to take into account potential fines from the healthcare law. If they are operating as an entity, it is easier for the person to obtain work as a sub-contractor.

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    Kenneth Mika
    (414) 731-3111
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  • 4.  RE: Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers

    Posted 06-01-2017 12:55 PM
    Kenneth,

    Thank you for the reply!

    Good point about the healthcare law. This and other regulatory issues probably make it prohibitable to hire people directly on a casual basis. This might explain why direct hire websites I know about are in Russia and Ukraine.

    I wonder, if one does register as an entity, do people search for potential contracts on a client-by-client basis (towns, federal organizations, larger firms etc) or is there, again, a place where these bid requests are brought together from several sources.

    Recruiters and services like Aerotek probably fill that niche.


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    Natalya Sokolovskaya P.E., M.ASCE
    Wynnewood PA
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  • 5.  RE: Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers
    Best Answer

    Posted 06-01-2017 09:17 AM

    I think engineering is different from the other work you have referenced. I don't know of anyone who would hire an engineer over a website although the opportunity might exist. That is not necessarily a bad thing and you may be looking at your situation from the wrong angle. I think your best bet is to look at contracting and/or part time work as just starting a business. I would start by marketing yourself to local small and medium size firms and going out to meet them in person to market your services. These firms often times need part time help because their work load is sporadic but they might not be thinking of hiring part time unless someone suggest it. Mr. Mika has a good point about the health care laws and there are also liability concerns with hiring outside a company. However, it is not as hard or expensive to set up an LLC and obtain errors and omissions insurance as one might think.

    Financially, it makes a lot of sense for a company to hire part time help. They don't pay taxes on your income, don't pay for vacation, sick time, holidays, 401k contributions, office space, unemployment, and the cost to hire and fire someone is significantly more than employees realize. Most importantly, they don't pay you to sit in the office and do nothing when there is not enough work to go around. That being said, if you can convince firms to trust you by doing good work, they will pay a higher hourly rate for part time work than they will if you are a regular employee because they are saving a significant amount of money on the other items mentioned. So, if you have 4 or 5 clients that use you on a regular basis, you are really running a business not just working part time.



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    Robert Martin M.ASCE
    Engr
    Atlanta GA
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  • 6.  RE: Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers

    Posted 06-01-2017 05:08 PM
    Robert, 

    Thank you for the detailed reply! It's worth researching what does it take to set up an LLC in my state.

    I see how there may be legal and other hurdles to hiring someone for a short term through a website. Companies do routinely hire through job websites, such as the ASCE job board or indeed.com. These website seem to be oriented to the full time employment, however.

    It just seems strange that there is no place that summarizes various sources of contract work, and it seems that, as a small business, one needs to find clients (towns, government agencies, other firms) by contacting them separately. 

    Others have mentioned recruiters and placement firms that probably fill a similar niche.

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    Natalya Sokolovskaya P.E., M.ASCE
    Wynnewood PA
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  • 7.  RE: Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers

    Posted 06-02-2017 11:15 AM
    You are correct that contacting local towns and firms is the best way to find contract work.  You will likely also find you are being offered employment at some of those meetings.  By going out and looking for work, you are showing them that you are willing to work, and thus may be a valuable employee.

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    William Forbes D.Eng., P.E., M.ASCE
    Virginia Bch VA
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  • 8.  RE: Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers

    Posted 06-01-2017 12:55 PM
    As an engineering consultant for 30+ years I have worked on contract 1099 and part-time assignments. When recruiter contacts me I explain that I bill on 1009 and work virtually, Often corporate website indicate contract and/or part-time assignments.

    The caveat is to be aware that hiring company may be subject to IRS audit for employing contract workers to avoid paying Social Security, Health Care etc. Contractor must show that more than one client to claim self-employment tax deductions etc.

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    Richard Goodwin Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE
    Envir Engr Consultant
    Lake Worth FL
    Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCEEnvir Engr ConsultantEnvir Engr Consultant
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  • 9.  RE: Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers

    Posted 06-05-2017 09:45 AM
    Be very aware of financial issues-
    Do you need to have your own professional liability insurance?  Be sure that you are covered as part of your employer/client insurance before you begin work.  Alternatively you can get your own coverage ahead of time but that may be expensive.

    If you are doing contract work, you may be required to have a corporate engineering license.

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    David Moughton P.E., D.WRE, M.ASCE
    Cincinnati OH
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