Good but needs a lot to improve - Code Inspector Monroe County, Florida Employee Review

The best employer in the Florida Keys.

It is expensive to live here, particularly housing.

Monroe County is one of best places I have worked in the Keys! They pay better and offer more benefits than some other State/Non-profit agencies. I work in a department with people that care about the work that they do everyday, that all maintain a work/life balance and that understand family, vacation, and preventive health are the secret (besides good pay) to keeping good employees. They also invest in the advancement and education of their employees. There has been nowhere else I have worked in the Keys that not only offers great benefits and time off but invests in their staff. Many of my coworkers have been with the County for 10 plus years or more. Those that have just started either filled a role where someone retired or a new position was created. We have also had many people that have come to the County from other incorporated city departments such as Key West, Marathon, and Islamorada. There is also advancement opportunities, as I have seen several members of our department move into supervisor and roles with more responsibility.

The cons as they are for most employment in the Keys unless you are independently wealthy, own a high profit business, or in a profession that makes over $100,000 a year, is that the cost of living in the Keys uses a large majority your annual income. To work to live here if you are barely making ends meets does wear on many and is why many leave to other markets. Also, in a regulatory role, many people of the public will complain if they are not satisfied with the outcome (which comes with the territory of this work). Hopefully, upper level management can distinguish which are from people that are upset you are doing your job correctly and those that are people upset because of their perceived hardship that does not directly have to do with the employee doing their job. Staff is often told to help the public with questions, meetings, etc., however, there are people that will take advantage of that time and use the staff as a free consultant, taking up many hours with numerous phone calls and questions at the counter. The staff member is supposed to also turn around their assigned work without accounting the time for many phone calls, emails, questions in person, and meetings that the staff member has to split their time, with certain clients consistently taking advantage of the free advice and help.