|
Post by Ace Midnight on Nov 21, 2014 9:24:52 GMT -5
Too pessimistic Ace...i don't think there will be any problem to get a class of 25 for Jan. 26th start. I will say - the protracted length of the process has jaded me, somewhat. I'm using the overall trend line for my planning - I will say, the fastest piece, by far, is the current phase of interviews we're in now - we're talking about last time where the emails went out, and the first interview was 1 month - to the day - from the certificate email date. This time, we're talking about interviews being completed within a month and change - almost halving the time of the process. If they hold to that improvement, we could see offers starting by Christmas and finishing by New Year's - particularly if we decide January 26th will be ~25. However, I'd rather be pessimistic and then surprised, rather than agonize over another 5 or 6 weeks. Because, even if not selected, I want this round to be over, so I can go back to that thing called "life".
|
|
|
Post by redryder on Nov 21, 2014 9:41:34 GMT -5
I went through the process and was fortunate to be selected for an ALJ position. And for some twisted reason, I still follow the trials and travails of those going through the selection process. It is very easy to let this process consume your thoughts. But you must be realistic. This process is a lot like buying a ticket for the Powerball Lottery. There are lots of tickets sold, but few people win the big dollars.
Given the variables in the selection process, the odds do not appear to favor anyone. Were they 1 in 3 for the last group hired?
So while you try to envision what it would be like to be an ALJ and speculate on where that golden ticket's destination is, I suggest you also take some time to reflect on where you are and how you will handle the situation if you are not selected. Particularly if you currently work for ODAR. You may have a long worklife ahead of you, you will work for ALJs whose selection you question, and you don't need to have non-selection souring your attitude. Getting the appointment may be Plan A, but everyone needs a plan B he or she can live with and be happy.
|
|
|
Post by Ace Midnight on Nov 21, 2014 10:13:11 GMT -5
Were they 1 in 3 for the last group hired? Slightly less than 1 out of 2, actually. It will be lower this time, but most agree a large number of selections for Round 3 (2015's second round) will be made from the current group. I would give the entire register a 1 in 3, with smaller GALs and lower scores being, perhaps lower, with insiders and Vets being a bit better. Not quite powerball odds of 1 in 73,463,532, now are they, Judge?
|
|
|
Post by berk727 on Nov 21, 2014 10:25:41 GMT -5
okay, I was just told by my HOCALJ that they intend to hire 44 for the January class. Since they plan to hire @240 in 2015, they got authority to hire a larger January class. this seems reliable to me, but take it how you want.
|
|
|
Post by orchid on Nov 21, 2014 10:38:01 GMT -5
okay, I was just told by my HOCALJ that they intend to hire 44 for the January class. Since they plan to hire @240 in 2015, they got authority to hire a larger January class. this seems reliable to me, but take it how you want. I like it:). Now let's start the offers!
|
|
|
Post by gary on Nov 21, 2014 10:41:16 GMT -5
okay, I was just told by my HOCALJ that they intend to hire 44 for the January class. Since they plan to hire @240 in 2015, they got authority to hire a larger January class. this seems reliable to me, but take it how you want. This makes sense to me. We have heard previously on unimpeachable authority they plan to hire 250 in FY2015. If they do, 6 classes of between 40 and 44 would work in the FC training facility. What we don't see yet is how they finish interviewing, have their selection conference, and go through offers/acceptances in the time they have left.
|
|
|
Post by cheesy on Nov 21, 2014 10:43:21 GMT -5
All I know is... If I'm ever running a war, I want Ace to do the scheduling for it.
Also, chessparent will be my sage and seer -- read CP's first post of the Second Certers and Beyond thread, and the dates are spot on. Amazing intuition!
|
|
|
Post by dudeabides on Nov 21, 2014 10:43:51 GMT -5
Hang in there amigos!
As I have previously indicated, my start date (from the 1st Cert) is January 26. They told me my class would begin on Feb 16. Only one other person ("anonymous") has indicated a start date of 1/26. Only a very few (2 or 3?) people were hired in October from the 1st Cert.
Although I am an outsider and thus obviously have a very steep learning curve ahead of me, I highly doubt that they will give me (and anonymous) a personalized/individualized 4 week training class. It might be fun and I'm sure I need mucho one-on-one training. But I would much rather be part of a big class and meet all of my comrades from this Board and learn with (and from)them!
Therefore: Sometime in the next month or so, a significant number of SCOBIES will be hired to start on 1/26 and to be trained starting 2/16. Standby for lift-off.
If Berk727's HOCALJ number (44) is correct, then approximately 42 offers will be forthcoming soon for a 1/26 start date. Even if that HOCALJ is mistaken, there HAS to be at least 20 or so offers forthcoming for a 1/26 start, otherwise anonymous and I will have a private 4 week training class.
I wish good luck to each of you, and I look forward to seeing you in Falls Church on Feb 16!
|
|
|
Post by Ace Midnight on Nov 21, 2014 12:10:48 GMT -5
okay, I was just told by my HOCALJ that they intend to hire 44 for the January class. Since they plan to hire @240 in 2015, they got authority to hire a larger January class. this seems reliable to me, but take it how you want. I don't doubt anyone's credibility without a good reason. A "normal" class is good for everyone in the process - more offers for us, a more "normal" environment for the trainers, etc. And, as an added bonus, they will almost certainly have to at least start the offers in December - maybe they try to squeeze 20 in a week or so, but 44 would seem daunting - they did get 70 done last time in 3 weeks, IIRC.
|
|
|
Post by steelrain on Nov 21, 2014 12:29:43 GMT -5
okay, I was just told by my HOCALJ that they intend to hire 44 for the January class. Since they plan to hire @240 in 2015, they got authority to hire a larger January class. this seems reliable to me, but take it how you want. I don't doubt anyone's credibility without a good reason. A "normal" class is good for everyone in the process - more offers for us, a more "normal" environment for the trainers, etc. And, as an added bonus, they will almost certainly have to at least start the offers in December - maybe they try to squeeze 20 in a week or so, but 44 would seem daunting - they did get 70 done last time in 3 weeks, IIRC. They have also ditched the 48 hour response time and now offers are only good for 24 hours - this should help speed things up as well...
|
|
|
Post by saaao on Nov 21, 2014 13:03:07 GMT -5
I don't doubt anyone's credibility without a good reason. A "normal" class is good for everyone in the process - more offers for us, a more "normal" environment for the trainers, etc. And, as an added bonus, they will almost certainly have to at least start the offers in December - maybe they try to squeeze 20 in a week or so, but 44 would seem daunting - they did get 70 done last time in 3 weeks, IIRC. They have also ditched the 48 hour response time and now offers are only good for 24 hours - this should help speed things up as well... I think a completely full class for January is probably more aspirational rather than fully expected (they will probably be happy with ~30-35), but they have to October to get to 250, so it most likely will be a ~45 person class reporting each month following the January class.
|
|
|
Post by luckylady2 on Nov 21, 2014 14:34:18 GMT -5
Hang in there amigos! As I have previously indicated, my start date (from the 1st Cert) is January 26. They told me my class would begin on Feb 16. Only one other person ("anonymous") has indicated a start date of 1/26. This would seem to match well with MPD's intel of 6-8 weeks before offers go out. If you haven't worked for the government, you'd probably be astounded at how long some things take in government that do not take much time in private practice. Hiring, obviously, is one of them. Getting permissions up the line can take forever, sometimes on some surprisingly small decisions. The biggest factor, though, is the holidays - many agencies slow down noticeably from Thanksgiving week to the day after New Years. Many are virtual ghost towns from about Dec 10 on. Many people amass their leave so that they can have a good chunk of time off, others are cajoled into it with the Use or Lose policy.
|
|
|
Post by grassgreener on Nov 21, 2014 15:47:44 GMT -5
I went through the process and was fortunate to be selected for an ALJ position. And for some twisted reason, I still follow the trials and travails of those going through the selection process. It is very easy to let this process consume your thoughts. But you must be realistic. This process is a lot like buying a ticket for the Powerball Lottery. There are lots of tickets sold, but few people win the big dollars. Given the variables in the selection process, the odds do not appear to favor anyone. Were they 1 in 3 for the last group hired? So while you try to envision what it would be like to be an ALJ and speculate on where that golden ticket's destination is, I suggest you also take some time to reflect on where you are and how you will handle the situation if you are not selected. Particularly if you currently work for ODAR. You may have a long worklife ahead of you, you will work for ALJs whose selection you question, and you don't need to have non-selection souring your attitude. Getting the appointment may be Plan A, but everyone needs a plan B he or she can live with and be happy. On the other hand, if you made it past the testing process, you have a better chance of getting picked up then ever before - again IMHO - SSA has the money, wants and needs to hire - with 1 mill cases waiting for a hearing, SSA needs ALJs. While you're thinking about plan B, you might also want to think about whether you really want plan A - the job is a lot harder than I anticipated - there is a constancy and an isolation in being an ALJ that I hadn't thought of before. The quality of management, support and procedures varies from office to office which can greatly affect your morale.
|
|
|
Post by moopigsdad on Nov 21, 2014 16:09:27 GMT -5
okay, I was just told by my HOCALJ that they intend to hire 44 for the January class. Since they plan to hire @240 in 2015, they got authority to hire a larger January class. this seems reliable to me, but take it how you want. Thank you for sharing this information Berk727, I appreciate it.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2014 8:30:37 GMT -5
I don't doubt anyone's credibility without a good reason. A "normal" class is good for everyone in the process - more offers for us, a more "normal" environment for the trainers, etc. And, as an added bonus, they will almost certainly have to at least start the offers in December - maybe they try to squeeze 20 in a week or so, but 44 would seem daunting - they did get 70 done last time in 3 weeks, IIRC. They have also ditched the 48 hour response time and now offers are only good for 24 hours - this should help speed things up as well... That was an important change IMHO. You can upset some folks on this board talking about this subject, but really!
You have spent almost 2 years trying to get the job. You are giving two (2) chances to pick your cities (GAL) and then you list them in the order of preference. NOW, you need 48 hours to decide! You ought to have about 4.0 hours to decide which is about how much time you have on the average claimant with each decision as an ALJ. (that's a little high on the 4.0, but...)
Tell Bob or whomever calls you with an offer the same thing I did..."Bob, you had me at hello"! He enjoyed the humor and I helped move the process faster. Absent last minute MAJOR changes in your life, the answer is YES I will accept the appointment to the job that everybody on this board seems to think is the greatest job in Federal Service. Do your part to speed the process, just say yes!
IMHO, tiger
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2014 8:53:06 GMT -5
I went through the process and was fortunate to be selected for an ALJ position. .... While you're thinking about plan B, you might also want to think about whether you really want plan A - the job is a lot harder than I anticipated - there is a constancy and an isolation in being an ALJ that I hadn't thought of before. The quality of management, support and procedures varies from office to office which can greatly affect your morale. Excellent point grassgreener... if you were a busy trial lawyer, you are about to experience the shock of your life. You are about to spend years and years in a smaller office (14' by 14') in ISOLATION staring at two computer screens learning more medicine than anyone outside of medical school needs to know and in the most sedentary job you could ever imagine in your legal life.
I'm enjoying it so far except the constant sitting, but I do raise my work platform and stand occasionally, but not frequently (working on my RFC terms ), never stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl...
My office is great as I have stated repeatedly, (the Chief, mentors, staff, HOD, group sups and all are real nice folks and great cooks) but it will be a major change as stated above.
If you are a very active, active, active person, you may hate the job, luckily I was a big lazy (physically speaking) person already, so it not the end of the world for me, but I do miss the moving around the courthouse most of the AM, then walking to lunch downtown and finally sitting at my desk for the afternoon catching up on work, but I will adjust.
Good luck to all as always, tiger.
|
|
|
Post by redryder on Nov 22, 2014 10:52:16 GMT -5
Grassgreener brings up a good point. This job is basically a one-trick pony gig. The work process itself is: review the file, hold the hearing, decide the claim, issue instructions, review the draft, sign the decision. And do it again and again. For variation you may write some of your decisions or dismissals. But outside of the hearing, you have no contact with the representatives or the claimants. Most of the day is spent at a computer.
Sure you hear some great stories in the hearings and from your compadres. But this is a pretty monotonous job when all is said and done. So if you like variety and drama, it's not as a line judge at ODAR.
|
|
|
Post by anotherfed on Nov 22, 2014 11:19:03 GMT -5
Thank you, Tigerlaw and redryder, for a realistic job preview. Everyone should take it to heart and seriously consider dropping out of the process if you can't stomach a sedentary job. And the isolation. Just drop out. No one would blame you. It's not for everyone. Become a trial lawyer instead -- now that's a quality of life that will keep you active.
|
|
|
Post by bartleby on Nov 22, 2014 16:50:16 GMT -5
You all should see the e-mail debate going on among Judges regarding the OGC investigation on outliers, ie, 700 or more cases and 85% pay rate. It appears 40% of them are management. Much discussion has been made about the convoluting/contradictory Reg's, rules, POMS, Hallex, daily policy, directives and anything and everything that management demand we consider in making decisions. Wow, micromanagement and sensory overload. There appears to be a lawsuit in process that I don't have full info on yet. HOCALJ, HOD, and GS have been removed from a nearby office for unreleased reasons, rumors flying.. Great job? Maybe for 2 years, for 20, not necessarily so. Oh, as far as the great stories during the hearings, pretty much the same story with a slight twist. Just as we all use scripts, the reps use the same scripts to prep claimants. I never get out of bed, I forget I put something on stove, I cry all the time, my hands get stiff (I still haven't figured that out). Amazing how many things the claimants actually are doing after a simple CID investigation. Blind claimants cutting the yard, driving to the store, shopping, watering the yard.. This one was 100% rated by the VA, but no records supported the rating.. Come to think of it, the only fun is the CID investigation reports.
|
|
|
Post by JudgeRatty on Nov 22, 2014 18:14:15 GMT -5
You all should see the e-mail debate going on among Judges regarding the OGC investigation on outliers, ie, 700 or more cases and 85% pay rate. It appears 40% of them are management. Much discussion has been made about the convoluting/contradictory Reg's, rules, POMS, Hallex, daily policy, directives and anything and everything that management demand we consider in making decisions. Wow, micromanagement and sensory overload. There appears to be a lawsuit in process that I don't have full info on yet. HOCALJ, HOD, and GS have been removed from a nearby office for unreleased reasons, rumors flying.. Great job? Maybe for 2 years, for 20, not necessarily so. Oh, as far as the great stories during the hearings, pretty much the same story with a slight twist. Just as we all use scripts, the reps use the same scripts to prep claimants. I never get out of bed, I forget I put something on stove, I cry all the time, my hands get stiff (I still haven't figured that out). Amazing how many things the claimants actually are doing after a simple CID investigation. Blind claimants cutting the yard, driving to the store, shopping, watering the yard.. This one was 100% rated by the VA, but no records supported the rating.. Come to think of it, the only fun is the CID investigation reports. We had investigators give a talk not long ago with video of investigations. It was fascinating! Goes to show you that you really have to dig into the credibility issues on these cases. But seeing those types of things, the CID investigations etc. can potentially color our views, so WE have to be careful to not let that happen. There are many folks out there who ARE disabled and they have to wait up to 2 years to get their hearing. Not good. Seeing both sides of the coin is key.... trying to find those who should be paid and pay them quickly and provide a strong decision in case of CDR. On the other side, deny those who are not disabled and do just as good of a job on the decision so we don't see it again on appeal. It is not an easy job. It can be boring at times, tedious, and very sedentary. However, it is a worthwhile public service job, with better benefits than most attorney jobs out there. I have never been in a job where there wasn't some kind of issue, micromanagement, bad supervisors, whatever. That's everywhere. It's all in how you perceive it and react to it that matters.
|
|