Pros
There are a LOT of truly dedicated quality people at Public Works (funded by gas tax-NOT "my tax dollars") There are people that want and try to do the right thing in a ridiculously political bureaucracy (BOS) that benefits the "haves" - Think Danville, Alamo, Knightsen, Kensington. The people stay because they've been here too long and are invested emotionally and/or need the flexibility of 9/80 or 4/10 schedules.
Cons
Pay is the lowest in Northern California - El Dorado County pays the same and housing is 1/3 of what it is in Contra Costa. Raises are negated by take-aways - The pay-scale is flat for the last 7 years. No free coffee or bottled water (like in corporate) - health premiums are not affordable, something is askew with the Retirement Board - contributions have doubled in the last 8 years and when people cash out, the County money stays in the Retirement account, which is not part of the County, but a special district - they are FLUSH with assets. Advancement is for those socially connected - similar to corporate.