Working at DFI: Latest DFI Reviews
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Operator (Current Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 6 June 2022
Indeed featured review
The most useful review selected by IndeedExcellent place for young people to begin their career and get into a trade. It can be difficult to manage a work life balance for field employees however the earnings can be worth while. There has been a major shift to a positive safety culture over the last couple of years and management does care about their employees. It is a bigger company that still has a small company feel.
Pros
Plenty of opportunity to advance from entry level positions.
Cons
Fast paced environment with most field work keeping you away from your family.
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Not just a job. This is a life long career.
Just a guy that works for a great company (Current Employee) - Fort St. John, BC - 16 May 2022
I started at DFI with very little experience in the construction industry. They were willing to give me a chance and I took it head on. I was quickly given the mentorship, training and tools to be successful at my job. The greatest part of DFI? Hands down, the people. There is a phenomenal core group of people from the field level, all the way up to senior management. It is common to celebrate 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 year milestones at DFI. Everyone is willing to help and take the time to properly train people coming into the company. Great work atmosphere and a very experienced team backing it up. DFI is a great company to work for if you are looking for a fast pace environment with long hours and steady work. You are given everything you need to be successful and your time at DFI is what you make of it. I have worked for a few larger companies and a few smaller companies over the years. Every company has pro's and con's, but DFI is by far the best company I have worked for.
Pros
Great team atmosphere, good hours, decent pay.
Cons
Work/Life balance can be challenging at times with the demands of the industry.
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Insights into DFI
What people like
- Sense of belonging
- Time and location flexibility
- Feeling of personal appreciation
Great company to work for
Human Resources Generalist (Current Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 13 May 2022
Leadership values my professional growth and frequently gives me opportunities to advance in my career. Lots of flexibility in the office. It's very energizing to be at a company that has so much pride in what they do. Everyone is very willing to collaborate and work together.
Pros
Food trucks at the office a few times a year. Able to wear jeans to the office Mon-Fri. Medium sized, private company, so you get to know everyone. Dog-friendly office.
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Amazing employees, almost recession proof job security
Heavy Duty Mechanic (Current Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 2 May 2022
I would say DFI is one of the best companies out there, that is as long as your someone who wants to work, learn, and are okay with over time. They are a pretty large company yet never make you feel like your just a number. They pay pretty well and if you need to take care of personal or family issues there's no questions asked. Sure sometimes there are hard jobs and long hours at times but that's part of the deal you make for the good wage and more importantly the job security. If your a decent worker and can problem solve I would say definitely give them a try.
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A workplace is safe
Welder/Fitter (Former Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 27 January 2022
People on charge are so rude! And you have to be a certain ethnic person to be acceptable in the circle friends, For this reason you get a laid off no matter how hard you work for them.
Pros
Yes free lunches
Cons
I work hard on Sundays
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Solid job not for the faint of heart
Hydrovac Operator/Class One Drive (Former Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 19 July 2021
It was a great workplace, the in house training and your ability to advance in the oilfield is fantastic they take safety pretty seriously which can seem like a pain but when you get to go home with all your fingers and toes every night you will think differently. I was able to get my Class 1, learned to operate a Hydro vac, learned to lead and train other people, learned Alot about safety culture as well as many many other things the company changed my life. I thought that they paid me quite well and there always seemed to be overtime available as well. Now for the pro/con this job is not for the faint of heart, there are pretty extreme working conditions sometimes. As well there is ALOT of work, you are out of town all the time so if you like to be in the city with your wife, friends or family it can be difficult. I also really enjoyed the people I worked with there are so many stand up women and men at this company it really made coming into work a treat and its nice that the supervisors and safety guys really go to bat for you and actually care about your health and safety the team is is 5 stars.
Pros
Lots of work, great team, great safety culture, good pay, make great friends, Learn alot
Cons
Long hours, lots of out of town work, sometimes management or dispatch makes silly or questionable decisions, can sometimes be a ceiling to your growth inside the company
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Kiss your free time goodbye
Heavy Hauler Operator (Former Employee) - Edson, AB - 20 February 2021
I was hired in Edson, then once my month of DFI training was complete I was moved to a different branch 5hrs away. They provided a mouse infested modular home in their shop yard to share with whoever is in the area. The only time I seen my family was when my hours ran out and I was near edson. They’re probably better now that the log books have to be legal. Either way I would not recommend working there, unorganized and misleading.
Cons
Misleading promotion expectations. Always away.
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Official response from DFI
15 March 2021We're sorry to hear you did not enjoy your time at DFI. As a truck driver it is not uncommon to spend time away from your home location, which is something that is explained during the interview process. Our bunk houses are professionally cleaned on a weekly basis, but we encourage employees to notify us if cleanliness standards are not met. Best of luck in your future endeavors.
Willing to train guys
Journeyman operator (Former Employee) - Rycroft, AB - 18 May 2020
the company is willing to train youth run their equipment. I started right from the bottom and within 5 years I was leaf operator for the branch. Only downfall was it was hard to fi d time to get equipment repaired
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Really good company to work for
Welder (Former Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 4 January 2020
They treat employees very good, there is always tools for everyone, no pressure, one of the best jobs I have ever had, i wouldn't mind working for them again.
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The safely is a joke like every little freaking thing got written up and it dumb
Labourer (Former Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 23 November 2019
I got told the starting salary was 21 then when I got hired they had me at 20 I wouldn’t work the labor-management had no clue what he was doing and everyone hated him
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Jobs at DFI
Good hours, endless possibilities of careers. Awesome equipment and facilities
Piling operator (Current Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 28 September 2019
If you're ready to put in the effort it is well worth it. They will train you and get you where you want to be. It's a lifestyle, not for everybody. But if you like working hard, they will like you.
Pros
Equipment, possibilities of careers, overtime
Cons
No set schedule, although fairly easy to get days off at anytime, as long as you ask in advance.
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Excellent equipment, upper management to pushy
Shop Foreman (Former Employee) - Rycroft, AB - 10 September 2019
Equipment and shops in great shape. Management often wanted equipment put on the road that would fail inspection. Pay and incentives were good, but had 2 pay reductions due to economy. Upper management liked to terminate employees with no reason if you fought their decisions to put unsafe equipment on the road.
Pros
Great work spaces
Cons
Management
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Very Bad Company Backstabber Producers
Heavy Duty Mechanic (Former Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 8 September 2019
This place should never exist on this planet. Most of the people that are working there are all related to someone that’s working there or related to the owner, you make mistakes, you’ll be treated as the clown of the entire shop.
Very negative place to be if you do not know anyone or not related to anyone watch out! They’ll do tricks on you very low moral low life people if you are so desperate for having a job then maybe this is for you
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Official response from DFI
10 September 2019Thank you for your feedback. It's unfortunate to hear you did not enjoy your time with DFI. As you are aware, DFI is a local family-owned business and we believe that good people know good people, therefore we hire as such! Should you have any additional comments please feel free to get in touch with the Human Resources department so that we may understand your perspective and implement any necessary changes.
Bad place to work for waste of time
Electrical Instrumentation (Former Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 6 September 2019
They promised things that are good to hear....only! But in reality....RUN! STAY AWAY owner is the big issue feels like working in different country.
Too many foreign workers that do not understand Canadian safety. Place is for low life, desperate and brainless people. Very low moral everyone has a string attached to them to show how to act, owners “PUPPET! Too many backstabber.
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Official response from DFI
10 September 2019Thank you for your feedback. It's disappointing to hear that you did not have a good experience at DFI. We are very proud of our investment to overhaul and make continuous improvements to our safety program and additionally, we truly value the diversity in our employee base. Best of luck in your future endeavours.
Alot of positive changes
Equipment Operator (Current Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 2 May 2019
In the last 6 months, changes are taking place. The management has been working hard on trying to improve the work culture at DFI. If you are a hard working person with decent integrity, come work at DFI. Smart individuals will move up the ranks quickly.
I started in an entry level position and my wage has literally doubled since I've started with the company. I've been treated with respect the entire time.
Pros
Above average pay, lots of hours, improved management
Cons
Last minute call-ins to work
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Official response from DFI
13 September 2019Thank you so much for your feedback! We are happy to hear that you are noticing an improvement in the overall culture. We wish you success and continued growth with DFI.
Overall a great experience
Shop/ yard hand (Former Employee) - Rycroft, AB - 10 January 2019
Great learning environment to see different mechanic tasks and learn the way of the work place, very enjoyable, co-workers are very friendly and are there to help.
Pros
Was a great learning experience
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good
Mechanical Design Engineer (Former Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 23 November 2018
very interesting place to work as the product we build is highly engineered. Although seem relatively simple, once you get into things change quickly. Various products, challenge sometimes
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Great Place to learn
Machinist/Millwright (Former Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 10 October 2018
Dfi has helped me grow my career, while still allowing me time to be home everynight. The staff here are very knowledgeable and willing to teach, and help work through problems. The Diversity of work means a wide variety of jobs to do, which keeps it interesting. I would definetely recommend DFI to anyone with an eagerness to learn and grow their skill set.
Pros
Company outings (golf), lunches and bbq’s, friendly staff
Cons
Some jobs can be frustrating
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amazing company ot work for lots of room to improve when there is work
Pile Driving Apprentice/Rigger/Equipment Operator (Former Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 9 October 2018
Had a great time working here when there was work. Made lots moves within the company until they ran out of work and had to many employees to maintain everyone busy.
Pros
fun experience
Cons
to many employees to keep busy
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if you need a challenge work here
just a guy that works for a great company (Current Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 26 September 2018
a typical day for me is being challenged on many levels, people, equipment, time management.
i have learned many things working here to be patience and understanding and have grown my knowledge of trade skills by being able to troubleshoot and repair our one off equipment.
the management in my opinion has done a 180 degree turn something changed but change has been good.
as management has changed the culture is changing for the better keep moving forward guys your doing a good job.
the hardest part is part of the challenge look at my typical day.
the most enjoyable part of the job is that i have been given the opportunity to achieve a big goal to lead a team of great people proving there is a different way of doing things and making the Company as a hole look better and be better at what we do.
having the opportunity to talk with the operators and supervisors lots of good fun always makes my day better.
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ok but needs some changes
Operator (Former Employee) - Edmonton, AB - 26 August 2018
really loved my job at dfi but no job securement, seniority, favorite always come first, no schedules, always on calls, do as you say or go home mentality,
Pros
paid travel
Cons
management
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Ask a question about working or interviewing at DFI. Our community is ready to answer.Ask a QuestionOverall rating
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Ratings by category
2.9 out of 5 stars for Work/Life Balance
3.4 out of 5 stars for Salary/Benefits
3.1 out of 5 stars for Job security/advancement
2.9 out of 5 stars for Management
3.1 out of 5 stars for Culture
Questions about DFI
- What is the work environment and culture like at DFI?6 people answered
- How long does it take to get hired from start to finish at DFI? What are the steps along the way?4 people answered
- What would you suggest DFI management do to prevent others from leaving?3 people answered
- Does DFI allow for flexible working hours? Or are the hours set?3 people answered
- What are the perks offered by DFI?3 people answered
- What benefits does DFI offer?2 people answered
- How has DFI responded to the COVID-19 outbreak?2 people answered
- Is DFI hiring new workers during the COVID-19 outbreak?2 people answered
- If you were in charge, what would you do to make DFI a better place to work?2 people answered
- How do you feel about the future of DFI?2 people answered