Since October 2021, Vermont’s unemployment rate has consistently held below 3%, continuing pre-pandemic trends. Based on February 2025 data, Vermont ties North Dakota for the second lowest unemployment rate in the country, behind only South Dakota. In multiple metrics, there are more open Vermont jobs than job seekers to fill them, sometimes by as much as a 2:1 ratio. With a limited labor pool to hire from, businesses and organizations around the Green Mountain State are finding new and unique methods of attracting and retaining employees. This company profile is part of a series designed to highlight employers uniquely adapting to the tight labor market conditions.
Around Vermont and across the United States, some of the most transformative infrastructure projects boldly claim the headlines and top stories. Away from the spotlight, though, Stantec’s South Burlington office guides many of these projects behind the scenes with a perspective that blends local knowledge and global expertise. Tucked away at the end of Tilley Drive, the team exemplifies this balance—working to shape roads, wetlands, and communities while supporting its employees through thoughtful mentorship, flexible benefits, and a culture that values growth.
Growing with Purpose: Madison Carver’s Journey
Madison Carver, now a full-time Civil Designer, started her Stantec journey as an intern while studying at the University of Vermont. "I was worried that, staying in Vermont, I wouldn’t have a lot of opportunities to work on bigger projects," the Pennsylvania native recalled. The company’s global reach quickly quashed those reservations, “I get to work on large projects and projects that wouldn’t normally be in Vermont, even though I am living here.” Ultimately, Stantec’s work and culture persuaded Carver: "I came here for college, and it wasn’t really my plan to stay after. Working here, I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I just enjoyed working here so much, and I was like ‘I don’t know how I would find a better job elsewhere.’ That’s why I stuck around.”
Carver's experience speaks to Stantec's unique model—offering big opportunities while maintaining a small-office feel. The company’s Developing Professionals Group (DPG) helps younger employees build connections and feel part of a vibrant, supportive community. For Carver, that sense of belonging and opportunity led her to stay in Vermont after graduation. “I feel like my supervisors are very supportive of what I’m interested in doing, and where I want to be. We discuss my goals and what my plan is to reach them,” she said, continuing, “Out of all the jobs that I’ve had, I never felt so supported in a job.”
Responding to Vermont’s Most Critical Needs
Stantec’s local impact is often most visible during Vermont’s challenging moments. When Tropical Storm Irene devastated the state in 2011, Stantec teams were called by the Vermont Agency of Transportation within hours to assist with emergency remediation—answering questions about road conditions and assessing longer-term solutions for resilience. Gary Santy, a Senior Principal with nearly 50 years of experience, shared the thought process, “How are we going to get the road open immediately? What caused it? What’s it doing now? Can we put the road or bridge back where it was, or do we have to do something different?”
More recently, Stantec has contributed to flood mitigation efforts following the historic 2023 and 2024 floods. Senior Wetland Scientist Brock Freyer described the approach as proactive, looking to match their work with ecology using “nature-based solutions and resiliency." This foundational work ensures that Vermont’s infrastructure is not just repaired but fortified for the future.
A Culture of Flexibility and Support
Stantec’s strength isn’t just in its projects but in how it supports its people. Flexibility is a cornerstone of the company culture, with employees like Glenn Burgmeier, a transportation engineer, who values the ability to balance life’s competing objectives. "They’re focused on retention,” noted Burgmeier, further acknowledging that flexibility was a key reason he stays at Stantec. Sean Neely, an associate working toward licensure, agreed that flexing hours allows many employees to integrate personal priorities, such as youth sports events, with work obligations. “You don’t have to be in the office from 8am to 5pm. If you have an appointment, you can make the time up later.”
The company’s benefits structure reflects this supportive mindset, too. Paid time off is flexible, compensation is reviewed annually to stay competitive, discounted stock purchase programs are offered, and matching programs can be leveraged for 401(k) and health savings accounts. “One of our most popular benefits is our paid family leave program which provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave at 66.66% of salary for various family reasons, including birth, adoption, and foster care placement of a child,” said Megan Norton, senior HR business partner, underscoring that the program has been highly-utilized and very successful. “I am most proud of how we take care of each other here. The people here are absolutely phenomenal and they really care about each other,” she remarked.
Learning and Mentorship: Building Expertise for the Future
Growth is an expectation, not an exception, at Stantec. Every employee is encouraged to complete at least 40 hours of training annually, ranging from formal external courses to internal peer-to-peer learning. This training is employee-driven, encouraging exploration in areas of interest. Marc Foisy, 29-year Stantec veteran and current office lead, shared this perspective, “We really strive to let people focus on the types of projects that they’re passionate about. We’ll try to find that work for them and build careers around the types of work that they like to do. If we like the work we do, we’re going to enjoy coming to work.” Structural engineer Tom Knight offered a similar viewpoint, “If you’re around people that like their job, that’s pretty contagious.”
For many of Stantec’s staff, a professional engineering license is a step toward bigger projects and more responsibilities. Four years of experience are required to take the licensure test, but the company supports the process. Israel Maynard, team lead for the highway group, pointed out that the company will pay for the study materials, the courses, and a day off to take the test. This allows the individual to do their best while benefiting the company because it increases the team’s skill and profile with clients, he said.
Mentorship is also a key pillar. Todd Duguay, a senior transportation engineer, identified a company-wide approach: “From CEO down to office leaders, if we need something to better our career, we feel like we have a voice.” Burgmeier highlighted the importance of learning from experienced leaders like Foisy and Maynard, noting that mentorship builds reliable team members who will, one day, become leaders.
A Legacy of Local Impact
Stantec’s presence in Vermont stretches back decades. Across his five decades of service, Santy has seen the company evolve through various phases—from Webster Martin to Dufresne-Henry to Stantec. Each transition has brought greater resources and broader expertise that elevate the team. "It’s about the people; it’s about doing good work, learning from those who came before you, and teaching those who are coming up," he said.
Some of Vermont’s most significant infrastructure projects bear the mark of Stantec and its predecessors, including the Bennington Bypass, which was opened in the early 2000s a year ahead of schedule, and Dorset Street’s buried utilities in South Burlington. Greg Goyette, the lead of the transportation division in New England, succinctly summarizes the company’s impact: "We do meaningful work. People have problems and we help them find solutions to their problems.”
For Santy, diversity in experience and perspective is essential to continued success. "Be diverse. Bring in people that have different ways of thinking. You’re going to learn something from that," he advised. "People that want to work for a professional firm want to come in and make a difference—Stantec allows that to happen."
Through quiet dedication and a commitment to people and projects, Stantec continues to shape infrastructure projects near and far - proving that the most impactful work often happens away from the bright lights with a supportive team.