Vacancies (?)

[lurker/dibs]

As far as I can tell, transfers have all been offered--based on the information I recieved today at my local ODAR.  That being said, does anyone know how many ALJ positions are left to fill after the transfers are complete?  I note that in another thread it was posted that Region 5 has a few openings.  Can anyone estimate how many positions will be left to fill in their region/ODAR?  Just trying to get a feel for how many positions OPM may be looking to fill and/or how many initial hires may be made.  I recognize that there is still a posibility that another hire may come from the existing register.  I apologize in advance if this is a duplicative post.

[JudgeRatty]

I remember seeing another thread that had potential numbers on the current register, maybe under the "offers" thread? As for the pending register, I have surmised that it will be a very healthy register due to the many upcoming retirements .... with the way sick leave will be applied soon, I know of several in our office alone that will retire between 2013 and 2014. I think that is the consensus elsewhere too...many pending retirements. Exact numbers have not been revealed as far as I know.

[bartleby]

IIRC, there are 92 open ALJ offices at this time and there may be a couple more as we just received notice of two more HOCALJ vacancies. Normally, a HOCALJ vacancy will lead to an open line ALJ office. So, I would say 90-100 offices are probably available now and a bunch more after the first of the eyar with the retirements..

[lurker/dibs]

So potentially there are 100 openings, which would mean approx 300 called for those spots (if my understanding of this process is correct). That's a big initial hire, even if more positions do not come open.

[nj4096]

Jun 28, 2013 13:13:25 GMT -5 lurker/dibs said:

So potentially there are 100 openings, which would mean approx 300 called for those spots (if my understanding of this process is correct). That's a big initial hire, even if more positions do not come open.

[nj4096]

Still I wish I knew how many folks were still in the running to be america's next top model as tyra banks puts it. The. Odds, even with 100 hires, seem very long especially if a substantial number of the 4000 plus applicants made it to phase 2.

Like said by most enjoy the life you have.

[moopigsdad]

Jun 28, 2013 13:51:19 GMT -5 nj4096 said:

Still I wish I knew how many folks were still in the running to be america's next top model as tyra banks puts it. The. Odds, even with 100 hires, seem very long especially if a substantial number of the 4000 plus applicants made it to phase 2.

Like said by most enjoy the life you have.

nj4096 there will only likely be about 1200 to 1500 on the final register when all is done. The likelihood is there will be closer to 200 or more ALJs hired from the next register before all is done. So, in reality you may have a one in six or one in seven chance of being hired. Not great odds, but better than you get in Vegas on a lot of bets. Best not to count on it and be surprised if you happen to get a position. Meanwhile, don't pass up other job opportunities if they arise.

[christina]

what is good to hear is that if the final register will be 1200 to 1500 is that a number of us will make the final register. Yes, it may take a long while to get hired and in fact years(or not at all). However, I think 1200 to 1500 is considerably higher than previous registers. Am I correct on that point?

[moopigsdad]

Jun 29, 2013 5:59:32 GMT -5 christina said:

what is good to hear is that if the final register will be 1200 to 1500 is that a number of us will make the final register. Yes, it may take a long while to get hired and in fact years(or not at all). However, I think 1200 to 1500 is considerably higher than previous registers. Am I correct on that point?

I believe the registers have been usually from 900 to 1200 in the past. Hence, my thought is that due to the likely numbers of ALJs who will leave for retirement and the present ALJ openings OPM is likely to have a slightly larger register. I believe it will be greater than1000, but no more than 1500. However, it could end up larger, but highly unlikely it will be smaller.

[christina]

moonspig, i am missing something. I know in some of the previous openings, they only accepted about 1200 apps (or whatever number then ended up at midnight on the day of the 1200th app) and seemingly cut a lot of people out. so that would suggest the certs would have been well below 900. I could be wrong but my guess is they were smaller so 1200 to 1500 sounds like a large cert. it makes sense to do so that way cause they could have the cert for years. Hopefully, OPM will reopen it periodically to add new people and revise the list as some will lost interest, retire, etc. Anyone have any thoughts or comments? people who are aware of previous certs and can comment, please do!!!

[hopefalj]

Jun 29, 2013 8:47:10 GMT -5 christina said:

moonspig, i am missing something. I know in some of the previous openings, they only accepted about 1200 apps (or whatever number then ended up at midnight on the day of the 1200th app) and seemingly cut a lot of people out. so that would suggest the certs would have been well below 900. I could be wrong but my guess is they were smaller so 1200 to 1500 sounds like a large cert. it makes sense to do so that way cause they could have the cert for years. Hopefully, OPM will reopen it periodically to add new people and revise the list as some will lost interest, retire, etc. Anyone have any thoughts or comments? people who are aware of previous certs and can comment, please do!!!

Just a small point of clarification... the register and a cert are two different things. The cert is a subset of the register.

Given as much fun as OPM is having with this current process, I can't imagine that they'll be looking to reopen the register any time soon. But again, we'll see. In the old days (and someone can correct me if I'm wrong), the hurdles getting to the WD/SI were not quite as strict and allowed more people to take the tests. I'm not sure they cut as many people as they're doing this time around. I would think 1000-1500 would be about right again.

[moopigsdad]

Based upon what I read previously from OPM they will be only opening the register every three years or so in the future. Hence, the 1000 to 1500 would make the most sense.

[redryder]

Reopening the register is just another vagary of this process. It opened in 2006 with the last (post-Azdell) evaluation process. It reopened in 2008 and again slight more than one year later in 2009. It all depends on the hiring activity of the agencies who hire ALJs. The more activity, the need for the pool to be replenished.

[lurker/dibs]

Any ideas how many people are remaining on the register that were not hired? Curious as to how many people are placed on the register and the percent of people who are actually hired. For example, if 1500 are put on the register, but only 250 are hired, then why would they need to create a new register if there are an additional 1250 people who have made it through the process? But if there are 1500 on the register and 1300 have been hired, I can see why the register would need to be replenished.

[moopigsdad]

Jul 1, 2013 14:56:49 GMT -5 lurker/dibs said:

Any ideas how many people are remaining on the register that were not hired? Curious as to how many people are placed on the register and the percent of people who are actually hired. For example, if 1500 are put on the register, but only 250 are hired, then why would they need to create a new register if there are an additional 1250 people who have made it through the process? But if there are 1500 on the register and 1300 have been hired, I can see why the register would need to be replenished.

Remember that three names are sent for every cert position to be interviewed from the names off the register. Hence, under your example if there were 250 ALJs hired they had at least looked at 750 or so of the total people on the register to make the 250 ALJ hirings. Don't mix up register with cert. Also, sometimes a new register is created because the agency is calling for a new set of people on the register to choose from for a new cert because they are unhappy with the remaining candidates due to scores, etc. They don't have to use up a majority of the people on the register to create a new one.

[lurker/dibs]

That's not very comforting. I had assumed there were "leftovers" of people who were stranded on the list and not hired, but the idea of going through this process only to sit on some list for years and years and still never get hired is fairly depressing. I guess with the three-strike rule that actually happened more than I thought. I suppose if I don't make it this time I will try, try, and try again. Maybe.

[moopigsdad]

Jul 2, 2013 12:14:50 GMT -5 lurker/dibs said:

That's not very comforting. I had assumed there were "leftovers" of people who were stranded on the list and not hired, but the idea of going through this process only to sit on some list for years and years and still never get hired is fairly depressing. I guess with the three-strike rule that actually happened more than I thought. I suppose if I don't make it this time I will try, try, and try again. Maybe.

I love your attitude (except for the "maybe"). It is the perfect one to have in order to try for an ALJ position. Good luck!

[privateatty]

Jul 1, 2013 15:07:36 GMT -5 moopigsdad said:

Jul 1, 2013 14:56:49 GMT -5 lurker/dibs said:

Any ideas how many people are remaining on the register that were not hired? Curious as to how many people are placed on the register and the percent of people who are actually hired. For example, if 1500 are put on the register, but only 250 are hired, then why would they need to create a new register if there are an additional 1250 people who have made it through the process? But if there are 1500 on the register and 1300 have been hired, I can see why the register would need to be replenished.

Remember that three names are sent for every cert position to be interviewed from the names off the register. Hence, under your example if there were 250 ALJs hired they had at least looked at 750 or so of the total people on the register to make the 250 ALJ hirings. Don't mix up register with cert. Also, sometimes a new register is created because the agency is calling for a new set of people on the register to choose from for a new cert because they are unhappy with the remaining candidates due to scores, etc. They don't have to use up a majority of the people on the register to create a new one.

This is exactly right. SSA wants whom they want and more replenishing of the Register accomplishes their goal. OPM has historically acceded to their demands for new exams based upon SSA's insistence for more bodies. And, as has been repeatedly noted, there are all the folks whom have been considered 3 times on the Register (now and in the future) that SSA will not want and will be the subject of a Memo from SSA to OPM saying don't bother to send them over for a Certificate because they have been rejected; i.e., the "three-strikers".

[moopigsdad]

I have to agree wholeheartedly privateatty with your assessment.

[booney58]

OK, I have not been on a previous registry or cert and this comment has nothing whatsoever to contribute to the subject. I just gotta say one more time how darned cute that dog is. Every time I see him I smile. Thank you, moopig, for lowering my stress level a little!

And now, back to the waiting...