I've given a lot of thought to what advice would be most helpful/constructive to a prospective job-seeker in the environmental field (you?). If you are seeking an entry-level position or are early in your career, have no family commitments, and are not concerned with long-term career growth, Dudek will meet superficial requirements desirable for a first job to get your foot in the industry door (e.g., beach location, BBQs, holiday parties).
However, as other recent reviewers have mentioned, Dudek is experiencing major growing pains and has been subject to a significant cultural shift in recent years. Most of the people that made Dudek great have left and those that remain will tell you the Dudek dream is dead—they stay because they are close to retirement, own too much stock in the company, and/or feel bound by “golden handcuffs.” Ask any of these people candidly what they think about Dudek and they will tell you the same thing—Dudek USED to be a great place to work but sadly those days are gone and Dudek is a sad shadow of its former self. The new Dudek doesn’t care about people, only profits. They aren’t supportive of their employees, don’t listen to employee feedback, don’t have systems or infrastructure in place to ensure your professional success, and don’t value diversity or out of the box thinking.
The company’s founder has been forced by the board to take a diminished leadership role so remains the CEO on letterhead only and the new CEO is filling leadership roles with like-minded cronies. The whole company is suffering by the lack of diversity in thought and is stifled by bullies.
If you’re applying for a biology role, ask why a CEQA specialist is leading the group. If you’re applying for a role in the cultural resources group, ask why the practice builder is now “co-managing” with a CEQA specialist. Think about whether you really want to be managed by someone that isn’t an expert in your field.
