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Post by Recalcitro on Feb 2, 2015 0:29:01 GMT -5
So I found the link below regarding ALJ Locality Pay. It lists various Cities and also says "Rest of U.S." Does "Rest of U.S." mean what it says, that if your City is not in the table, the pay rate is as listed or does it mean something else? In other words, nobody is making the $105,900 at AL-3/A? 2015 ALJ Locality Pay
Also, the statute allows for higher pay level under certain conditions one of which is: "With prior OPM approval, an agency may offer an ALJ applicant with superior qualifications who is within reach for appointment from the ALJ certificate of eligibles, the rate of pay that is next above the applicant's existing pay or earnings, not to exceed the maximum rate F." So when in the process do you have an opportunity to request a higher rate? Who do you even ask. Really, you can all stop laughing now. Does this exist in ink only? Thanks in advance. |
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Post by saaao on Feb 2, 2015 6:10:55 GMT -5
Rest of the U.S. does indeed mean what it says. Federal pay is adjusted for the area you work in. While 105,900 is technically the base the real base is the "Rest of U.S." figure. Bear in mind that ALJ maxes out at ~170,000 no matter where you live. There is a statutory cap which I don't fully understand but basically insures that ALJ's (and GS-14 and GS-15 employees who are overtime eligible) do not earn more than an SES (Senior Executive Service) employee. Also bear in mind that the locality pay bands are not really kept up to date and the formulas are not necessarily tied to the true cost of living. For example the locality pay for Houston is incredibly generous compared to cost of living where as the locality pay for the D.C. area is just enough to keep you on the comfortable side of middle class despite both being very big locality bumps over the base.
As for starting at higher than entry level, that is for high level federal employees such as close to maxed out GS-14's and GS-15's. The idea is that if you are moving to a higher grade in the federal government you are not supposed to risk a pay cut. If you are coming from outside of the federal system this provision does not apply to you.
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finch
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Post by finch on Feb 2, 2015 9:58:47 GMT -5
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Post by HallmarkFan on Feb 2, 2015 12:23:11 GMT -5
I am a true outsider so please forgive me if the answer is obvious. Does AL 3/A, 3/B, 3/C, 3/D, 3/E, 3/F, etc = years of service? As in, a first year ALJ earns the 3/A amount, but in your 2nd year you make 3/B, in your 3rd year 3/C, up to AL 1?
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Post by gary on Feb 2, 2015 12:26:59 GMT -5
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Post by HallmarkFan on Feb 2, 2015 17:05:38 GMT -5
^^^ Great resource! And I'm curious:
1. How long to vest?
2. What percentage do you earn?
3. What minimum age/years of service do you need -- 65yo and 10? 20?
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Post by gary on Feb 2, 2015 17:08:57 GMT -5
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Post by southerner on Feb 2, 2015 17:19:45 GMT -5
Coffee--No, it does not mean years of service. Unless one ascends beyond HOCALJ or is situated in a high pay locality, you will likely max out in 7 years.
An ALJ moves up 1 step each year for years 2, 3, and 4, then two years between steps.
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Post by Pixie on Feb 2, 2015 23:41:23 GMT -5
A HOCALJ will move up one step at the time of her appointment, so it is best to be appointed HOCALJ at year 4, or after three years on the job. Pixie.
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Post by Recalcitro on Feb 3, 2015 2:03:28 GMT -5
Thank you all very much for the clarification.
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Post by HallmarkFan on Feb 3, 2015 7:37:02 GMT -5
Thanks to all for the great info! I appreciate your help.
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Post by hapi2balj on Jun 5, 2015 10:27:56 GMT -5
I'm an outsider [edited from the incorrect 'insider' thanks to luckylady's helpful correction] (DOJ with TS clearance), non-vet, GS-15/Step 8. So, thinking way way ahead, if I get an offer do I understand correctly it'll be at the AL 3 level, with the letter (A thru F) likely corresponding to the next-highest salary than what I currently make?
On a related note to "offer" - I can't find it right now but sometime in the past, someone opined that "if you're already a GS-15 attorney, OPM wants you." At least that's what I'm recalling. Any thoughts on that? I'm obviously looking for encouragement but what I'm really more interested in is reality. (Of course, I have to make the register first - hopefully I'll be on it here in a few months.) Sratty, I'm trying to follow your optimistic approach!
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Post by luckylady2 on Jun 5, 2015 10:31:33 GMT -5
FYI. Hope2b insider means SSA. The rest of us current & former fed employees are outsiders
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Post by hapi2balj on Jun 5, 2015 12:34:46 GMT -5
FYI. Hope2b insider means SSA. The rest of us current & former fed employees are outsiders Thanks! I stand corrected. Rather obviously, I assumed "insider" meant fed. So what do we call someone who's never been a fed employee? Alien? HA! Thanks again. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2015 13:22:32 GMT -5
Thanks! I stand corrected. Rather obviously, I assumed "insider" meant fed. So what do we call someone who's never been a fed employee? Alien? HA! Thanks again. I believe that, until you are a bona fide club member, you call us "Your Honor"......... |
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Post by hapi2balj on Jun 5, 2015 13:34:07 GMT -5
Thanks! I stand corrected. Rather obviously, I assumed "insider" meant fed. So what do we call someone who's never been a fed employee? Alien? HA! Thanks again. I believe that, until you are a bona fide club member, you call us "Your Honor"......... LOL - duly noted! I myself was a state court judge for 15 years and technically still hold senior status through our state's highest court; however, my current employer would frown upon my hearing cases I'm quite sure, so while I don't claim the title now I certainly respect and appreciate it. Hopefully it'll be mine again someday as an ALJ but until that time rolls around, I'm more than happy to be deferential! :-) |
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Post by onepingonly on Jun 5, 2015 18:08:56 GMT -5
....Also bear in mind that the locality pay bands are not really kept up to date and the formulas are not necessarily tied to the true cost of living. ... As I understand it, locality pay is not related to overall local cost of living, but the general pay level of specific types of private sector workers. You noted Houston's very high locality pay (in the 905 series). This is due, I'm told, to the high salaries paid to Houston lawyers, impelled by the oil and gas industry. The idea of locality pay is to have a federal salary that at least tries to compete with the private sector, for specific types of employees. In some localities, certain fields (law, geology, robotics) pay far above what the rest of the locals are making. This results in some areas where the locality pay is notably below (or, less frequently, above) the overall cost of living. This system, which sort of assumes people don't move for jobs, is a bit anachronistic nowadays. Especially for ALJ jobs, since in recent times moving to get the job appears to have become the norm. |
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Post by funkyodar on Jun 5, 2015 18:22:54 GMT -5
Note also that beginning January 2016 something like 16 new cities will get removed from the "rest of US" designation and get their own locality pay bands.
There is mention of it in the most recent union newsletter. Can't recall which cities, but that will be pleasant news for feds in those locales.
Maybe someone not posting from their phone can link the union newsletter or cut and paste the cities. If not, I will next time I can.
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Post by funkyodar on Jun 5, 2015 18:34:22 GMT -5
Sorry. Been told it is 13 cities.
Albany NY
Albuquerque
Austin
Charlotte
Colorado Springs
Davenport Iowa
Harrisburg PA
Laredo texas
Las Vegas
KC
St Louis
Palm Bay Fla
Tucson
Feds in those cities should see a nice pay bump January 1.
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Post by 71stretch on Jun 7, 2015 8:39:50 GMT -5
Las Vegas? Relatively low COL there. Tucson too. Interesting list.
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