HOCALJ selection process

[josiah]

Re the HOCALJ selection process, are there any formal procedures that are followed across the board, such as interviewing applicants, contacting the applicant's HOCALJ/HOD etc?  Do applicants within the region where the opening exists tend to get preference?  Does the process vary from region to region?  Any insights/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[bartleby]

ODAR does as ODAR wants...

[true]

Nov 8, 2013 22:34:11 GMT -5 josiah said:

I'm a relatively new ALJ and have some questions about the HOCALJ selection process.  Are there any formal procedures that must be followed in making the selection?  Is everyone who applies supposed to be interviewed?  Would it be typical that an applicant's own HOCALJ and/or HOD would at least be contacted as part of some screening process?  Do applicants within the region where the opening exists get preference (formally or informally) over applicants from other regions?  Does the process vary a lot depending on the region/RCALJ involved?  Is there some SSA document that sets forth whatever policies apply?  The bottom line question:  is the process fair, i.e., is an attempt made to determine who the best candidate is?  Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I am having a difficult time getting any kind of definitive answer to these matters.  

Although I am only a lowly applicant, I have wondered about the HOCALJ selection process as well.  I don't understand the selection process.  But, I do know that you being a new ALJ is not an impediment to you becoming an HOCALJ.  I have seen 3 new ALJs with only about a year of experience become HOCALJ.  They all are female-Two African Americans and one white.  The two African Americans were outsiders, one a JAG officer and the other an attorney/manager for EEOC.  The white female was a senior attorney for years and a group supervisor for ODAR before she became a Judge.  After transferring from a less than desirable location, the white female is now HOCALJ of the office she was initially hired at. 

[cougarfan]

For what it is worth, I have applied twice for HOCALJ position (I have since determined I am glad I am not HOCALJ and doubt I will apply again). I was interviewed each time. The questions asked were different each time, but were very oriented toward ferreting out my management experience and even more importantly my management style. They were the typical "tell us about a time when . . ." questions.

[deltajudge]

8-)Why anyone would want to be a HOCALJ is beyond me. Qualifications and experience are non-existent.The only advantage is a transfer and grade step increase. The successful applicant will be regarded with suspicion in his/her new office, and ignored by experienced staff and ALJs. The HOD rules.

[true]

Nov 9, 2013 18:34:12 GMT -5 deltajudge said:

8-)Why anyone would want to be a HOCALJ is beyond me. Qualifications and experience are non-existent.The only advantage is a transfer and grade step increase. The successful applicant will be regarded with suspicion in his/her new office, and ignored by experienced staff and ALJs. The HOD rules.

That is true!  In fact, some staffers at ODAR don't understand the role of the HOCALJ, and think that the position should be abolished.  Sometimes the Regional Office will give directives to the HOD without any notice to the HOCALJ.  As the HOCALJ, you will be responsible for managing the staff and ALJs(with no authority to tell them on how to do their jobs) and still you are required to conduct hearings.  It sounds stressful.

[funkyodar]

I've had 4 diff hocaljs in my under 5 years with ssa. From that, I can definitely sayit depends on the person. I've seen the benefits of a hocalj that gives 110% and takes every opportunity to be on committees, in working groups, to lobby for our office and our staff for every pilot program, award and advancement opportunity. I also saw the burnout effect and the tollit took on that judge.

I've also seen the effects of a hocalj who deferred completely to office management and regional. Who wouldn't rankle fellow aljs feathers and felt the position was more figurehead than authority.

I've also seen a hocalj who, as a former insider worked as a dw, senior, group sup and hod, and knows the responsibilities, obstacles and methods of each position. Seen that hocalj go to bat against region and shake an office that had slipped to underperfroming with low morale into a a well oiled machine.

As hocalj you can have any level of authority you want to assert. You can be a seatholder that gives all decisions to the hod. You can travel the country building connections to benefit your office leaving the hod to control day to day. Or you can be a hands onin every matter leader. Depends on your experience, personality and willingness.

If you have a good hod, or just don't care, and feel you have limited or no ability or right to "interfere" with the other aljs, why not be hocalj? No real extra stress, possibly a desired transfer and a pay step increase.

Going the networking route will get you and your office noticed with clear benefits to the staff and you will get to travel frequently. Burnout happens fast and hard, but the staff will love you.

Take the hands on approach and some will hate you for telling them to move a case, others will love you for telling region why a case can't be moved. You will live and die with the monthly numbers, but if you know what you are doing you can build espirit de corps and and really change an office for the better.

I'm not a social networking type. Also, I would never be happy as a seat holder. Unfortunately, I ran my own law firm for a bit and have no desire to go back to being responsible for other peoples work, personnel matters and day to day management. I can't see me ever desiring to be a hocalj. But I am damn glad that there are good people who will.

[christina]

so lots of ALJ's leaving and 4 HOCALJ's. Funky, what r u doing to these judges? is it your gold fish shoes? they probably smell bad; a goldfish that have been dead for 40 years are pretty gross, you know

[Deleted]

Any possible HOCALJ opening in Jacksonville this year?

[Deleted]

That is 3 HOCALJ openings posted in the last 24 hours!  Keep them coming, baby!  Dada wants a new Jaguar Jersey for 2015!

[sandiferhands (old)]

Posted? Where? (Can an outsider see these?)

[JudgeRatty]

Dec 18, 2014 14:33:20 GMT -5 sandiferhands (old) said:

Posted? Where? (Can an outsider see these?)

No, these are in the form of emails sent to ALJs.

[Pixie]

Dec 18, 2014 11:11:50 GMT -5 @flowing said:

Any possible HOCALJ opening in Jacksonville this year?

Probably not. Nor next year. But it could happen in the next few years. Pix.