Overall reviews at City of Calgary
4.0
Excellent working environment, that provided me with an opportunity to help others, and make a positive impact in a certain sub-culture.
This was an excellent job in the fact that I was being employed to do what I loved, and use my passion as an instrument to help others. A typical day for me would include, arriving at one of the many mobile skate parks we had assembled around various communities in the city, and unlocking and positioning obstacles for the days activities. From there, me and another co-worker would teach a couple of the lessons scheduled for the day, each with a group of 10-18 kids per instructor. We would assess the children s skill levels, and base instruction accordingly. From there we would allow the children to have spare time where they could practice their newly learned skills, and converse and engage with them, until the parks closing time.
I learned much from this job in regards to responsibility, care taking, and customer service. Speaking with the many children and parents I engaged with on a day to day basis helped me learn much about people, and was character developing for myself. It truly is amazing how much you can learn from people, especially children.
The people I worked with were excellent individuals, with as much passion and drive as i had for this sport, which was refreshing. It seems hard to find jobs where people show up each day excited to be there and grow. The management was equally as energetic, and well organised.
Sadly the pay was close to minimum wage, which with my debt to school, and living expenses, was sub-adequate.
Prosa job that payed me to do what i was passionate about, . was fulfilling in the fact that i could make a positive impact in many children s lives.
Conspay was not adequate enough to support my needs.
5.0
A rewarding career that provided myself with the majority of the skills I have developed to pursue my advancement again.
For almost 25 years, the City of Calgary Fire Department provided myself with the opportunity to work a rewarding career and spend the time with my wfe and daughters. A change in career from the Offshore Drilling for eight years to make the committment to them to watch them grow and develop with a good education.
The day was filled with team work of equipment checks and preparation, discussion of job expectations, roles and responsibilities and training. A major focus was on safety of my personnel and accountability of all at the thousands of emergency incidents we attended over the years.
There were always site/building inspections and pre-planning of communities and structures, hydrant testing, hose testing or involvement with our communities, day or night.
We filled the interm with family discussion, cooking meals and playing sports.
The family or brothers/sisters that we called each other established a bond with all 1200 firefighters and we had amazing committment from our Chiefs and administration support staff.
I went from the young lad kicking in doors and fighting fires to being a mentor and providing the leadership to ensure our crews went home safely after every shift.
I have waited for many years to see my children graduate university and start their paths and myself returning to the work I embraced everyday to support and supply our drilling crews with the tools and training they needed to work efficiently, effectively and safely.
ProsHaving a great career that educated me, organization that empowered me yet still held me accountable for my actions.
ConsNone really.
5.0
The City of Calgary is one of the highest paying municipalities in the country and offers many more benefits than cons.
Typical day at work was professional, yet casual. Safety and Diversity in the Workplace is strongly promoted. There was no dress code and in a professional environment I was allowed to take breaks when desired. There was no time keeper and as long as I was productive my work ethic was never questioned. My team leader was very knowledgeable and did not micro manage our department. Every one in my group was approachable and there was no requirement to follow a chain of command even though we have senior positions and coordinators. When I had ideas or a desire to take on new tasks, I would usually be granted my request if I could provide a use case and it did not impact the department. I was able to learn new skills by taking the initiative and approaching my team leader. The hardest part of the job was to work with others that I would deem unproductive. These type of workers are protected by the union and it is very difficult for management to take action. Therefore, all you can do is maintain a positive attitude and think of your contributions and not the lack of others. Thank goodness 99% of City of Calgary employees are respectful hard working individuals. I enjoyed coffee breaks with co-workers, organized city events, the freedom of my position, the ability to work four days a week, the option to work two days from home, and lots more.
ProsPension, flexible work hours, telework option, very competitive wages, compressed work week, apply/work in temporary City positions while retaining your base position.
ConsUnion environment protects unproductive workers
1.0
Human Resources Specialist |
Calgary, AB | Oct 24, 2021
Very Disappointed. Below Average Benefits. Very Hierarchical and micromanagement. You can do better
Everyone wants to work for the City but don't be fooled. They oversell the benefits but are not competitive at all. If they want to build a great City they should start with their own organization. There is very little diversity at non-elected senior levels. Policies are outdated and focus on controlling what can go wrong and giving the minimal required versus assuming the best in people. No paid sick days for the first 3 months, then only 90% pay if you are sick (even for exempt positions), low end of the scale for vacation and have to wait until the next calendar year to get your accrued vacation. Working from home is a non-starter because management doesn't trust that employees are working.
Senior leaders think they are smarter than everyone else and give very little autonomy. You are told what to do--ideas, work, and policies flow from the top down. Managers and above think and say they are better than people below them doing the work. Leaders take no accountability. blame others, and look for mistakes to point out leading to low collaboration and fear.
Processes and technology are out dated and instead of focusing on a great employee experience leaders and HR want to micromanage, assume you will take advantage of the system, and track everything you do with constant reminders that IT is tracking activity on computers.
ProsWork Life Balance, Little risk of being fired after probationary period
ConsNo paid sick days for first 3 months, no vacation days within the first year, No autonomy., No flexibility, hierarchical, lead with fear
4.0
Your job satisfaction really depends on your leader's mgmt style/competence
If you get into a good team, it's golden. If not, there can be very traumatizing, back-biting, dysfunctional behaviours to deal with from either bosses, coworkers or both. The policies for respectful workplace and the like, exist... the trouble is that in some groups, they are not enforced. There are sweetheart deals for some staff but not for others. It is stressful that some situations are not fair, makes you feel vulnerable and that is unproductive. Some mgmt should not be in their positions due to no education or life experience for the responsibility. They tend to hire leaders from within the ranks of staff and then don't require them to seek further education. If you get a leader who has integrity, cares and is true to his/her word, then you will thrive and enjoy your career. It's unfortunate, but the "good" leaders are few and far between. Just when you think you have the worst leader... and get a different job, you find out that this one is even worse. The benefits are ok, not super. I like that there's a pension. I have benefitted from working from home since the pandemic. The best thing is the ability to move around by applying for different positions. Hopefully, you can find something/someone to your liking. I am a technology worker, indoors, working 37.5 hours/wk. There are flexible work options and now Telework options.
ProsTelework/working from home, flexible work schedules, pension, stat hol
ConsFew good leaders/bosses. Weak union. Very weak HR dept.
4.0
A safe, healthy and stable work environment.
It is quite typical to struggle when completing the scheduled day's work within the assigned shift. This can be attributed to weather, truck problems, occasional absenteeism, etc... This makes each day somewhat different from the previous one. One is constantly tested on everything that you think you have learned and this continues to augment your problem solving ability on a daily basis. Previous experience gained while working on the trucks in various capacities and subsequent courses help substantially in performing the tasks associated with being a foreman at the City of Calgary. Peer support is excellent while management has been very accommodating with my progression within the "City" and the experience has been extremely positive. The hardest part of the job is ironically also one of the most enjoyable parts as well… that being, working with people. Although training for a specific task is rewarding in of itself, the greater reward is garnered when you respect and have the respect of your peers, superiors and associates. In many ways this is an ideal work environment and hypothetically a person could work here until they are 85. However I have reached a point where I am seeking different horizons with different challenges.
Prosworking and dealing with great people
Consworking and dealing with people
3.0
Maintenance Person |
Canada | Jun 21, 2014
Reliable, consistent Job, good work life balance.
The job very steady, working a consistent shift. My co-workers are very friendly and helpful. The pace is a lot slower than I am used to, there is very much a union mentality, nothing gets done before start time. Hanging around waiting for direction and morning meetings really absorb most of the mornings time. If you are willing to put in 7 years< there maybe a possibility of advancement, but that is if you are not superseded by a worker from another department or plant that has more seniority than you.
The work is fairly typical and routine, very hard to think out side the box as other co-workers shut you down due to the union scope of work and what they feel that they should do for the pay that they receive. The hourly wage is very good for working in Calgary, although there is a lot of deductions which bring your take home to an exist able level. Unfortunately Overtime is very scarce, your basic wage is really what have to consider normal, any OT is a bonus.
On the up side, your deductions go towards a very good health care program. A lot of you weekly money gets deducted for a pension which is match plus more by the city. Short and long term sick, standard 2 weeks holiday after a year.
Prospension and good benifits, good worklife balance
ConsNo OT, little room for advancement, old school managment and work ideas.
5.0
An awesome job with lots to learn.
Working at a landfill there really isn't a "typical" day of work. Our site is the only industrial landfill in the city and is very fast paced. Therefore everyday is different and i can be called to do many roles at any time. Just the tip of the ice berg I screen commercial loads and report any designated materials that need to be recycled/disposed of properly. Transfer drivers hauling clean-fill to the appropriate locations, landscaping, working on the chem-truck collection hazardous materials from the city's fire halls. I have learned so many different skills working with the City of Calgary a few include waste composition studies, recording weekly compost temperatures and how to handle hazardous materials. My co-workers are all great especially because i like to take it upon my self to be the site motivater and keep everyone working together. The hardest part was due to the Alberta 2013 flood it was hard to see citizens bringing in all there belongings to be disposed of. The best part of my job is i get to multi-task , try new and challenging tasks and of course work outdoors in all conditons.
ProsWork outdoors, challenging environment, good people
ConsThe landfill can smell pretty bad.
3.0
LOVED IT, it was a ton of fun
A typical day at work would begin playing games or sports with young kids. This position has taught me allot, such as How to be patient and more understanding. It has helped me to be more myself and to become not so afraid to let the "kid in me" get out and just have some fun once in a while.
The hardest part of my position here was thinking of creative and intuitive ways to coach muay Thai to the youngsters. Even though I have been the sport for so many years, coaching it is a whole other level. It definitely helped me with my presentation skills. A second difficult thing to deal with was preventing and stopping, both with the individual being bullied and the individual being the bully. It was not fun. Very sad to see someone becoming so assumed of themselves because someone was putting them down.
My co-workers were a blast! Every Friday night after teen nights all the staff went out for pizza at a pizza place next door. Everyone hung out. The culture was amazing.
Prosgroup gatherings, tons of interesting opportunities, being a positive role model for youth
Consbeing done at work at 1230 am on a friday night, needing more direction, more training
4.0
Good Manager=Great salary/Benefits/WorkEnviron
I worked my way up from casual-on call to a salaried FT position in the Arts & Culture/ Festival and Events office. I last worked there from the 1990's until 2022. This particular office was highly unusual within the City as the demands of serving and producing large scale events runs counter to most union civic employee based job descriptions. The work can be fast paced with immovable deadlines and high visibility, high pressure work situations. The event happens when it happens sometimes in front of the televised world. That being said the team there is very dedicated to producing the best quality for an often very small budget. The team are very resource aware and work together well. Over the time I was there the main issues arose from specific management changes. Some were terrible and self serving but most were fantastic and really worked at supporting a great team work environment focused on high productivity with excellent work life balance. In my experience, within the city, it was one of the best overall departments to work in.
