|
|
Post by Ace Midnight on Mar 28, 2014 8:41:12 GMT -5
I felt this warranted a new thread - perhaps it belongs in the timeline thread, but hey, it's done now.
Using our previous examples of 2007, 2008, and 2009:
Certificate "notices" ranged from 12 days (2009) to 31 days (2007).
Using the longest window, that puts us at April 13.
The scheduling date was between 3 and 11 days after that, so, again with the longest, that puts us at April 24.
From scheduling date to first offers ranged from 66 to 90 days. Using 90 days, that puts us at, roughly, July 24.
That certainly looks reasonable, based on the rumors about ALJ training dates and getting in just under the wire for 2014 budget purposes.
|
|
|
|
Post by hopefalj on Mar 28, 2014 9:04:36 GMT -5
Thanks for starting a thread on this. I've been trying to figure out which thread was appropriate for fretting over the cert.
Something to add... it seems cert emails have traditionally come out early to mid morning. So if it's noon on a certain day, we can probably write that day off.
|
|
|
|
Post by westernalj on Mar 28, 2014 10:02:49 GMT -5
What is scheduling date? How much notice do we get for the interview?
|
|
|
|
Post by 71stretch on Mar 28, 2014 10:12:41 GMT -5
What is scheduling date? How much notice do we get for the interview? The scheduling date is the date you get the call to schedule an interview at ODAR. I think the three day figure above is a bit short, as I recall that the call to set up an interview comes after you have sent back the paperwork you receive on getting notice that you are on a certificate. I can only speak to 2010. There wasn't a lot of notice, no more than two weeks, most were around 7 days or so. You get a separate call, then, to set up the travel arrangements. |
|
|
|
Post by westernalj on Mar 28, 2014 10:26:33 GMT -5
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by robespierre on Mar 28, 2014 13:09:50 GMT -5
If OPM is, for the first time, issuing individual certs per vacancy rather than one big cert, as has been suggested, that is going to make it very perilous to rely on prior history for a timeline.
But on the other hand you're right, they have to get moving soon if they're going to hire this FY.
So, my own prediction: the dates will be later than in Ace's post kicking off this thread ... but still soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by funkyodar on Mar 28, 2014 16:15:36 GMT -5
Heard it through a long grapevine, solicitations of interest for interview panels have gone out. Not dates or anything, just asking if interested in being on a panel.
|
|
|
|
Post by JudgeRatty on Mar 28, 2014 16:21:50 GMT -5
Heard it through a long grapevine, solicitations of interest for interview panels have gone out. Not dates or anything, just asking if interested in being on a panel. Ditto. |
|
|
|
Post by chessparent on Mar 28, 2014 16:24:57 GMT -5
I really thought "stubby pencil " and "big chief " were going to refer to something else. But this thread is still good.
|
|
|
|
Post by JudgeRatty on Mar 28, 2014 16:46:00 GMT -5
I really thought "stubby pencil " and "big chief " were going to refer to something else. But this thread is still good. You are so awesome. LOL! I needed that laugh! |
|
|
|
Post by Ace Midnight on Mar 28, 2014 17:29:51 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by MoStateALJ on Mar 28, 2014 17:38:24 GMT -5
What is scheduling date? How much notice do we get for the interview? The scheduling date is the date you get the call to schedule an interview at ODAR. I think the three day figure above is a bit short, as I recall that the call to set up an interview comes after you have sent back the paperwork you receive on getting notice that you are on a certificate. I can only speak to 2010. There wasn't a lot of notice, no more than two weeks, most were around 7 days or so. You get a separate call, then, to set up the travel arrangements. Observer53, Have you heard of any accommodations being made for applicants who have difficulty scheduling an interview with only 1 or 2 weeks notice? I received a score, but I am concerned I won't be able to interview during a short 1 or 2 week window if I am given only one to two weeks notice. I am currently a state ALJ, and I can foresee situations of having to cancel multiple days of dockets (each with up to 100 cases) or cancel several trials. Doing that on such a short notice is a recipe for disaster - the word simply won't get out to all parties on a docket, especially the pro se parties. I also hate to cancel hearing on only a week's notice. And, of course, the cancellations would reflect poorly on me. Any info you might have would be appreciated. |
|
|
|
Post by 71stretch on Mar 28, 2014 17:45:21 GMT -5
The scheduling date is the date you get the call to schedule an interview at ODAR. I think the three day figure above is a bit short, as I recall that the call to set up an interview comes after you have sent back the paperwork you receive on getting notice that you are on a certificate. I can only speak to 2010. There wasn't a lot of notice, no more than two weeks, most were around 7 days or so. You get a separate call, then, to set up the travel arrangements. Observer53, Have you heard of any accommodations being made for applicants who have difficulty scheduling an interview with only 1 or 2 weeks notice? I received a score, but I am concerned I won't be able to interview during a short 1 or 2 week window if I am given only one to two weeks notice. I am currently a state ALJ, and I can foresee situations of having to cancel multiple days of dockets (each with up to 100 cases) or cancel several trials. Doing that on such a short notice is a recipe for disaster - the word simply won't get out to all parties on a docket, especially the pro se parties. I also hate to cancel hearing on only a week's notice. And, of course, the cancellations would reflect poorly on me. Any info you might have would be appreciated. I really don't know. You have a much heavier calendar than I do, (do you EVER have a day without a hundred case docket, or a trial? When do you write?) and I can get assistance from my fellow judges with some hearings and tweak the schedule for the rest. I also don't have to worry about it "reflecting poorly on me". Unexpected events, like real emergencies, happen. The scheduling may be a little different diepending on how the new cert(s) work. How far would you be traveling from? I'm assuming west, but everyone except the east coasters essentially loses two days to interview and travel. I think you are going to have to cross that bridge when you come to it, but if past practice is any guide, you are not going to get a lot of notice, and will have to do the best you can to schedule it on days that would have the least impact. We can discuss this further by message if you like. |
|
|
|
Post by sealaw90 on Mar 28, 2014 17:50:39 GMT -5
If OPM is, for the first time, issuing individual certs per vacancy rather than one big cert, as has been suggested, that is going to make it very perilous to rely on prior history for a timeline. But on the other hand you're right, they have to get moving soon if they're going to hire this FY. So, my own prediction: the dates will be later than in Ace's post kicking off this thread ... but still soon. That also raises a question in my mind; if there are individual certs by cities, and there are going to be multiple classes, then why wouldn't there be multiple interview sessions? For example, the September training ALJ selectees are going to ODARs in Regions X, Y and Z. They get interviewed first (April/May?). Then the next batch for the ALJ class that starts end of September/1st of October gets interviewed in June/July timeframe - they are all in Region A, B, and C. Finally, the last batch for training in November (don't ask how I know that will happen) get interviewed in August/September, presumably for Regions E, F, and G. This would allow SSA to 'follow' OPMs rule of individual city certs. This also screws up anyone with a wide GAL that crosses several (or all) regions. It could also be based not upon region, but a triage system - the most desperate ODARs get the first round of selectees. Any thoughts about this?
|
|
|
|
Post by MoStateALJ on Mar 28, 2014 17:51:08 GMT -5
Observer53, Have you heard of any accommodations being made for applicants who have difficulty scheduling an interview with only 1 or 2 weeks notice? I received a score, but I am concerned I won't be able to interview during a short 1 or 2 week window if I am given only one to two weeks notice. I am currently a state ALJ, and I can foresee situations of having to cancel multiple days of dockets (each with up to 100 cases) or cancel several trials. Doing that on such a short notice is a recipe for disaster - the word simply won't get out to all parties on a docket, especially the pro se parties. I also hate to cancel hearing on only a week's notice. And, of course, the cancellations would reflect poorly on me. Any info you might have would be appreciated. I really don't know. You have a much heavier calendar than I do, (do you EVER have a day without a hundred case docket, or a trial? When do you write?) and I can get assistance from my fellow judges with some hearings and tweak the schedule for the rest. I also don't have to worry about it "reflecting poorly on me". Unexpected events, like real emergencies, happen. The scheduling may be a little different diepending on how the new cert(s) work. How far would you be traveling from? I'm assuming west, but everyone except the east coasters essentially loses two days to interview and travel. I think you are going to have to cross that bridge when you come to it, but if past practice is any guide, you are not going to get a lot of notice, and will have to do the best you can to schedule it on days that would have the least impact. Thanks, Observer53. Like you say, I will just have to wait and see. Perhaps I will get lucky and get offered an interview, and then doubly lucky that the interview is for a "slow" week. (I travel to dockets, so I tend to bunch my trials and dockets together for 2 or 3 weeks, and then have a week in the office to write.) I appreciate your comments. |
|
|
|
Post by hopefalj on Mar 28, 2014 18:41:39 GMT -5
If OPM is, for the first time, issuing individual certs per vacancy rather than one big cert, as has been suggested, that is going to make it very perilous to rely on prior history for a timeline. But on the other hand you're right, they have to get moving soon if they're going to hire this FY. So, my own prediction: the dates will be later than in Ace's post kicking off this thread ... but still soon. That also raises a question in my mind; if there are individual certs by cities, and there are going to be multiple classes, then why wouldn't there be multiple interview sessions? For example, the September training ALJ selectees are going to ODARs in Regions X, Y and Z. They get interviewed first (April/May?). Then the next batch for the ALJ class that starts end of September/1st of October gets interviewed in June/July timeframe - they are all in Region A, B, and C. Finally, the last batch for training in November (don't ask how I know that will happen) get interviewed in August/September, presumably for Regions E, F, and G. This would allow SSA to 'follow' OPMs rule of individual city certs. This also screws up anyone with a wide GAL that crosses several (or all) regions. It could also be based not upon region, but a triage system - the most desperate ODARs get the first round of selectees. Any thoughts about this?
Out of curiosity, what sort of advantage do you see for ODAR in that scenario? This is just my thinking, but the more possible candidates with the greatest number open slots with the maximum number of geographic locations will give ODAR the best chance to get to people they want through increased flexibility, particularly by allowing them to strike unwanted or unlucky candidates that may block the path to a highly recommended candidate. Logistically, it also helps them by booking rooms for interviewers and interviewees at one time rather than in a piecemeal fashion, and it will also help them ensure that they get the maximum number of hires in this fiscal year. But like I've proven many times on this board, I could be wrong or simply missing something. |
|
|
|
Post by sealaw90 on Mar 28, 2014 18:46:58 GMT -5
I don't see any advantage. I see OPM realities, coupled with fiscal realities, coupled with scheduling realities. Now, we all know, reality has nothing to do with the functioning of government agencies, so I do not disagree with you. Just food for thought and possible discussion from wiser folks on this board. :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by peb239 on Mar 28, 2014 20:16:31 GMT -5
Sending a mixed message there?
|
|
|
|
Post by sealaw90 on Mar 28, 2014 22:19:09 GMT -5
Nope, just trying to engage a conversation....
|
|
|
|
Post by funkyodar on Mar 29, 2014 7:43:09 GMT -5
So last evening the funky family got their moo goo gai pan on. At the end of the meal, as is customary, out came the fortune cookies.
I'm accustomed to the typical, "You are blessed with many friends." Meh. Or the humerous, "Confucius say 'Man who stand on toilet is high on pot'." sort of thing. Rarely does a fortune cookie attempt to actually portend the future.
All the cookies yesterday fit that mold. All but one. Mine. It said "Mark your calendar for 3 months from today. Good things are in store for you."
So there you have it. It's settled. The powers that be within the universe, through the magic of sugary sweets, have ordained the date of our deliverance as June 28, 2014. Now I realize that's a Saturday. I just presume the powers meant the Friday before or the Monday after. "But Funk," you say, "the all powerful forces of the universe wouldn't be off by any days or make that kind of mistake." "Nay," I reply, "the universe is most assuredly a design by approximation. As exhibit A, I invite you to marvel at the lowly platypus."
So, you guys can stop the nervous guessing and speculative prognostications. The date is set in flour. And, one thing has always been true in my funky world, never doubt the power of a cookie.
|
|
