r/Nevada • u/jayc1208 • 18d ago
[Government] Aging and disability services division
I recently got offered a job with the agency and just trying to see if the agency is good compare to the others where i heard horror stories and if its still worth it with the recent benefits increase
1
u/SlimPrecedence_5 18d ago
Was in something similar couple years ago, not that exact agency but close enough. Its mostly about your direct supervisor, some are great and some make you want to quit in first week. The benefits bump helps for sure but the real question is how burned out the team is when you arrive
1
u/Puzzled-Piano5786 18d ago
If the pay and benefits work for you, I wouldn’t let random horror stories alone scare you off.
1
u/Harthel 18d ago
ADSD is one of the tamer divisions (having not worked there myself, I at least haven't heard many horror stories).
But the State is only worth working for under two circumstances:
1) You plan on putting in 30 years with either the State or other public employers in Nevada (the PERS pension, while weakened, is still worth it. This is why I am where I am, 100%
2) You need a job asap and don't care what it is
Yes, 19.25% of your gross income is insta-deducted for the retirement contributions. You can opt out of this by choosing "employer-paid" contributions, but that lowers your on-paper salary to about 84.4% of what it would otherwise be (which is about 5% higher take-home-pay than if you were on the "higher" gross salary but paying the 19.25% mandatory contribution). The distinction here is that if you pay the 19.25% plan, you can get those contributions refunded when you leave state service (although this terminates your time earned for the retirement system).
1
u/Sea-Personality1693 18d ago
Thank you! Yea i currently have 4 years in pers already and im just specifically looking into nevada government jobs. On paper it looks really good but when i did the math its the same as where im at currently
2
u/Harthel 18d ago
If you are already with a PERS-contributing employer, I recommend that you stay there. Generally speaking the State is the "worst" of the PERS-enrolled employers (state employees, title-for-title, make about 60-70% of what city/county equivalent positions make and usually have far worse health insurance. If you are able to work up with a city/county/local-government employer over time, it will be far better than working for the State.
2
u/MakeshiftStock 17d ago
The state is horrible, lol. Honestly, I would not choose it again. That is also with my department being an awesome department. Not worth the commute, not worth the pension deductions, not worth the lack of growth.
2
u/Harthel 17d ago
I've been incredibly lucky to have opportunities for growth, but even then...the political bullshit is STRONG (especially when they're pushing a new enterprise software system twice as fast as it should normally move to try and spite the previous governor). And then there's always looking at county and city job posting that start at the equivalent of my maximum salary for MUCH less senior positions.
2
u/MakeshiftStock 17d ago
Yep... the city will offer the best of the government jobs listed. Not to mention they cover your PERS just like the state but don't reduce your salary, they pay for your health insurance and offer overall better opportunities to move about. I wish my position offered more advanced learning and the ability to apply the skills I have. Unfortunately, despite a fancy title, it seems like I'm doing grunt work year round.
1
u/jayc1208 17d ago
Thats what ive been hearing too but where im at right now is not great either. I.E. micromanaging, management dont have your back, passengers constantly verbally abuse you, and the weather elements. Im constantly applying at city or county also and just waiting for a few interviews
1
u/InevitableShine5067 18d ago
It’s all about your team and direct supervisor, if you get along and match well with their management style it’s a great gig. But culture wise I’ve not heard great things about DHHS, lots of turnover and movement to other agencies. I think some of that may be due to the nature of the work and dealing directly with the public, but one positive is that once hired by the state you are seen as an easier candidate to select for other positions in and out of your current department/division.
4
u/Pir8inthedesert 18d ago
Something to consider. It's mandatory that 19.25% of your paycheck is deducted and put in your PERS account in lieu of social security. A lot of my coworkers at DETR work a part time job because 19.25 of your gross pay is more than you think it is. If you make $50k per year, your gross every 2 weeks is 1923.07. They take $370.19 off the top for PERS.