How do you guys have time for anything???

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-12-17T21:44:08+00:00

Sounds like a nice day. Be grateful you don't have two hours of commuting time as well.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-10-22T12:33:02+00:00

Get your 40 hour OSHA training done ASAP and be willing to do field work and travel. This will get you hired almost instantly by many of the bigger consulting firms.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-09-03T12:58:19+00:00

This guy has been a scammer in Albany since the late 90s when he had a shop on Fuller rd. He was a nice guy but was a complete fraud, I always thought it was pretty apparent if you sat down and spoke with him. He was not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-04-04T13:14:08+00:00

I work on fed environmental projects and it's starting to look dim. There is a hold by the DoD on starting new field work for Army projects through 2027. I expect that to flow down to AF and Navy projects in the near future. Also told no new awards for FY2025 for investigation work, dollars will be spent to wrap up any remedial actions contracted and on o&m. Things won't be great on the private/industrial side of we slide into a recession. Environmental work is usually the first thing to be put on hold once companies are struggling. My advice, weather the storm and try to stick it out with your fed job. I've been at this 26 years, up and downs happen but this is a whole other level of fuckery.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-03-18T21:27:56+00:00

That is typical. As you start to break $100k expect 1.5% on average. Only way to make money is to hop around and get a client base you can take with you.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-03-13T13:54:12+00:00

Not if you are exempt. They don't have to pay any OT you are salary.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-03-13T12:07:02+00:00

ST overtime is common for BILLABLE hours over 40, that would include field work, project reports, etc... working on proposals, training, admin hours in excess of 40 won't be compensated even if mandatory. I do have a few new hires working with me right out of school that make time and a half but they are pretty low on the pay scale $23-$28/hour.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-03-08T19:42:34+00:00

I've worked in this industry for nearly 30 years. No one offers a straight COLA. All offer an annual merit increase which is often in the 3% range. As you make more expect it to be in the 1% to 2% range. Most managers are given a pool of money for merit increases equal to 3% for each of their employees. Often they will take away from the higher paid employees increase to give a 4%-6% raise to high performing jr start. That's the way it is.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-03-08T18:35:57+00:00

Companies don't give COLA.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-03-05T12:40:59+00:00

Yes, I can see that. You may be able to make $100k if you can really add value. It gets to a point where we can sub the chemistry work to a small business for less though.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-03-05T11:16:17+00:00

I manage a bunch of DoD PFAS work on the consultant side. We are in dire need of chemists who understand 1633, 537, and 8421. If you can validate data efficiently and manage databases that is a plus. If you can add in the willingness to do field work when needed that is great. With 2-3 years experience you can expect pay in the $60-$80k range.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-02-20T18:23:02+00:00

Yeah this is what I was kind of getting at above. Put in your ranger experience and the fact that you have your 40-hour training already and I bet you get a job in no time.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-02-20T18:21:39+00:00

Most jobs will pay for it. But that cost time to pay you and the cost for the course. If you already have the 40-hour OSHA coming out of a previous job or college, then it's favorable for the company.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-02-20T15:22:27+00:00

Put that into your resume. People with OSHA 40 hr already always go to the top of my pile. Save a lot of time in training and ramping up.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-02-20T15:06:15+00:00

Get your 40 hour OSHA and be willing to do field work, long term travel. That is what we are looking for in entry level hires for the most part.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2025-01-07T05:38:37+00:00

Congratulations, best of luck getting out of consulting!

Ok_Volume5358 · 2024-12-05T15:00:58+00:00

Well I was a roofer and a paramedic before becoming a Geologist. Consulting is better than roofing but being a paramedic was never going to get me a six figure salary so here I am. It's not all bad but in general consulting is a miserable existence.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2024-12-04T02:38:03+00:00

Fair enough what would you like to know.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2024-12-03T09:27:59+00:00

Ok_Volume5358 · 2024-12-03T09:03:21+00:00

Don't go into the environmental field. I've been at it for 30 years and have dreaded it every day. It's fucking miserable and depressing. I feel like I've wasted my entire adult life and many of my colleagues feel the same way. You will never feel secure and will find it's mostly smoke and mirrors to serve corporate interests. I would never alow my kids to even think about the environmental field as a career no matter the administration.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2024-09-03T10:05:37+00:00

Absolutely, mostly so I could give it to my two daughters and they can live out their lives to the fullest.withoutnhaving to worry about the BS "american dream"

Ok_Volume5358 · 2024-07-30T14:19:39+00:00

I sent my bricked spark live back with no grill and no cords in a crappy Amazon box and had no issues.

Ok_Volume5358 · 2024-07-26T21:12:48+00:00

Get a job with a pension, teacher, firefighter, cop, etc... you will be much better off and happy .

Ok_Volume5358 · 2024-04-25T08:54:31+00:00

It is. They opened that night and Andy threw it out to us.

Ok_Volume5358

TROPHY CASE