‘We always recognize people for their service’

BY MAHLET HABTEYES JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Smith Engineering, based in New Mexico, has secured its place on the Top Workplaces in New Mexico list for the 9th year in a row.

Under the leadership of President and CEO Rebecca Fink, the company emphasizes family, service and integrity, creating a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Smith Engineering ranked as the No. 2 small business for employee satisfaction by Energage, an employee survey firm..

Smith Engineering, a civil engineering firm, is known for its open-door policy to create a sense of community among its staff.

“All of our projects are collaborative, not just among the staff but also with our clients,” Fink said.

Annual themes, which have ranged from Star Wars to sports, add a fun twist to the workplace. This year’s theme is the celebration of the firm’s 35th anniversary.

The company places a strong emphasis on recognizing and rewarding its employees.

“We always recognize people for their service,” said Fink.

When employees hit milestones they are awarded gifts, such as work jackets on their fifth anniversary and plaques and bonuses for longer tenures.

Smith Engineering offers opportunities for professional growth through mentorship and memberships in larger organizations like the American Council of Engineering Companies and the National Society of Engineering Professionals. The company has 47 employees.

“We’re small enough that we can focus only on our local work,” Fink said.

The company’s engineers live in the communities they serve, giving them a special connection and commitment to their projects.

She said the small size also eliminates much of the red tape that can bog down larger organizations, making for a responsive working environment.

Promoting a healthy work-life balance is also part of the company’s core values.

“We will sacrifice for each other,” said Fink. “If you have to go to your kids soccer game, we’re going to make sure we cover for you. And we’re mostly in office, but there’s always days that people need to be home because the plumbers are coming or something, and we’re always accommodating to that.”

Employee feedback is also encouraged. Recently, a new employee suggested adding a 401(k) option to their retirement plan. The suggestion was quickly added.

The company tries to give as much of the profits back as bonuses to staff, Fink said.

When it comes to hiring, the company relies heavily on word of mouth and social media rather than traditional online job boards.