environmental scientist

geotechnical engineer

ingénieur

water resources engineer

project coordinator

Golder Associates

Don't listen to the Positive reviews about Golder Associates. They are more than likely false and created by their dwindling marketing team.

I don't know what else to say besides the fact that this company/organization went through its own very hard hit recession the past couple of years and had to fine tune their staff on a global level. They let go thousands of its hard working employees. Most of these people invested their lives into this company with hard work, company shares, devotion, etc to only see it disappear. There was and probably still is very bad attitudes all around with everything worried about their job security - I don't blame them.

Unless you're a Principal or an Associate, don't expect a good benefits package either. It's on par with any small-medium company.

Management is the weakest aspect of this company owned organization. Management should be able to communicate directly with their employees to ensure their needs are met, both work and personal related. There is too much finger pointing when somethings goes array.

My advice, do yourself a favor and find work somewhere else. I can't be anymore honest than that.

The way this company treats its people it absolutely wrong. Sure, you'll find nice people in the workplace just like any other place, just don't let that blindside you into thinking this company is great. 

Read all the negative reviews on Glassdoor.ca about this company because they are all true.

Golder used to be a great place to work and there was a time when I would have given it 5 stars - now, if I could give it 0, I would. It's all about the bottom line and increasing the share value so the CEO and his "dream team" can get sell the company and retire. Golder has gone through years of layoffs and restructuring - some real head scratching decisions were made in terms of who they would let go of, meanwhile they hung on to some staff who obviously don't want to be here (and rarely show up!) and help contribute to the environments low morale. Staff are no longer valued and good people are leaving for much better jobs as we speak. Management are disorganized and disengaged - it's obvious even they don't want to be here. They've cut positions, benefits. departments, you name it. They've cut far too close to the bone, so now more and more is being asked of staff who have no experience in certain areas (logistics, H&S, AP) where they could have people in local offices very busy, helping to keep things moving and flowing seamlessly. Instead, we have inept leaders controlling our various department to  help "streamline functions and improve efficiencies", which is the complete opposite of what's been happening. It's embarrassing to see any company operate like this - I will be one of many jumping ship as soon as I line something else up :)

I started at this company in 2008. At this time, the company was at its apex of profitability. With revenues flowing in through office doors all across the country (Canada), pressures to stay chargeable and busy were not as great. Employees were encouraged to upgrade skills or engage in professional development on company dime.  It was a great time to be at Golder.  When the price of oil started to slip drastically in 2013 I witnessed first hand the squeeze starting to take hold on the company, particularly in central Canada (Prairies Region) where I worked. Then, in November of 2014, 500 people were layed off across Canada one of which was myself. And this despite being very chargeable. My own specific reason was a disagreement with a newly appointed Office Manager who exhibited very real signs of autism and a complete inability to lead people. In any case,it worked out for the best as my shares were liquidated prior to what I've heard was a 30% drop from 2014 to 2015. I sold out at $50 and they have since dropped to $38!! I've heard through former colleagues some of the larger offices are hacking jobs left and right (Fall 2015).

For me it's worked out good, as I have since found gainful employment and don't miss some of the uneducated used car salesman Associates and Principals that work out the Calgary and Edmonton Offices (EHS!!).

At my present job, I like the work environment and co-workers. They are all very professionnal and friendly.

I am in charge to assist the project managers. Review the prebills, update the budgets, assist to the internal meetings (internal and external clients) and prepare agendas and minutes, review the staff expenses reports, organise all staff mobilisations for the projects I am working for. Assist the project manager to all administrative tasks needed or requested. Assist the Health and Safety coordinator with the data base entry.

I've learned to prepare the agenda and the meeting minutes as well as all the aspects regarding Safe and Security and internal policies.

What I enjoy the most is to review the prebills, to make follow up of the accounts receivable and to update the Health and Safety data base.

I can not say that there is a hardest part of the job but I can say that it took me a little time to understand the internal work system because each project is different and not all the policies are applied the same way.

The last three years have seen Golder go from nearly 10,000 employees to less than 6,000.  Part of this is due to the downturn in the resource sector - but part of it is also because they used to be bloated and now they have cut to the absolute bone.  Tough times.

A large group of talented and professional geotechs/environmental scientists are still here.  Spending five years under one of these folks would be great for a young grad's career.  Alternatively, you could become a cog in the machine where your longevity and success is measured purely and solely by chargeability.   If you're considering working here, you should be interviewing your supervisor and asking which one it will be.

Stock program looks great on paper - but dividends only compensate you for the interest you pay to borrow the money to buy the shares.   You can't sell any stock or realize any supposed gains in share value until you depart the company.  So it becomes a bit of a pyramid scheme.

Golder is an employee owned company. This has the incentive-benefit of in essence working for yourself, as shares in the company provide an annual return. The major shareholders are the Principals and Associates, who act as a "shadow management". This makes it difficult to keep the company nimble and enable changes.

As Leader - Project Management Office, I am responsible to develop the project management skills within Golder, globally. This includes training and development for our PMs, Organisational Support, developing knowledge, tools and systems and developing global hubs of expertise.

The most enjoyable part of my job is interacting wiht my teams and co-workers, a truly splendid group of people committed to the future of the company.

The hardest part of my job is to maintain focussed and positive in an increasingly difficult work environment where project management is seen as periphery to the main technical thrust of the company.

Golder is a good place to work, particularly for ambitious younger professionals. The company culture was the strongest advantage of the company for me when I started, but it is mostly gone now. It is still not the soul-grinding chaos of some other consulting firms I have worked with, but lacks flexibility and support for non-linear thinking, as most large companies do. At least in some offices, they have suffered in the oil slump, with many layoffs and morale problems. The compensation and benefits are good, and advancement (see ambitious younger professionals, above) can be good. Management works hard at keeping the company afloat, and I am impressed with the new CEO. Work-life balance is often addressed in communications, but in practice there is an unwritten expectation to tip that balance far over to the work side. The HSE culture is somewhat punitive. I would work there again.

Golder Associates Ltd. (Golder) is a company that not only wants to present the best quality of work in the most efficient time capable to complete at a high-end level, but also cares about the company's role in the communities where the offices are, in the people that work with/along side with Golder and are always willing to go that extra step to provide whatever it takes to show integrity and strength.  Golder is a world-wide business that is owned by it's employees, that focuses diligently on the fields of expertise, and is open to new developments within the Civil, Environmental, Sands and Oils, Mining, Manufacturing industry (and more).

The worst company I have ever worked for. Management and leadership is VERY much lacking. Executives lead with God-like and grandeur attitudes, micromanage in areas they have no experience in whatsoever, and constantly make the worst decisions putting the company at risk for lawsuits. The favoritism is out of control. Clients avoid or terminate contracts due to their expensive services. Their internal systems are cheap, inadequate, and need to be urgently updated. Most staff members are miserable and overworked. If you so much bring up how overworked you are, you are let go immediately. IT department is awful; very slow response times and inexperienced staff. HR bullies and makes people cry. That is their culture. Everyone is miserable working here. Most are holding on due to the present times. This is a sinking ship. Avoid at all costs! 

I was lured to this company with the expectation of a great work culture and work-life balance that was second to none.  What a bunch of absolute rubbish!
First, there is only a work-life balance if the work is slow.  If the work is slow, then people get laid off.  If there is lots of work, you are expected to perform regardless of the number of hours or days involved or number of days out of town. 
As for the group culture, the only way you will fit in is to plant a smile on your face and do everything you are told without questioning your instructions and without every saying no due to personal circumstances. 
Management is aloof, elitist and unapproachable.  Our group had 15 people when I started. Within a year and a half, 5 were fired for dubious reasons, mostly because they didn't 'fit in'.  
Be very very careful with this company. They are not at all what they sell themselves to be.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Environmental scientist 9 salaries reported	$63,222 per year
Geotechnical engineer 8 salaries reported	$83,000 per year
Ingénieur 4 salaries reported	$93,500 per year
Water resources engineer 3 salaries reported	$72,667 per year
Project coordinator 3 salaries reported	$57,333 per year

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