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Post by bookman on Apr 1, 2015 10:27:24 GMT -5
I find it very strange that the process seems endless, little happening, but still, based on what we know, my chances seem good, and it does seem like a good time to be on the register. I have never really been in a situation remotely like this before. Add in the possibility of going to some remote location and it gets downright weird
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Post by JudgeRatty on Apr 1, 2015 10:37:50 GMT -5
Not sure this has been reported, but I don't think it has. The Agency plans to hire 40 to 50 new judges approximately every other month for the rest of the year (fiscal?) and expects to be up 150 judges from where it was at the beginning of the year. Planning to hire 250 total with just over 80 of those already hired. So, this is a good time to be on the register. Pixie. I've got it! Sratty is Pixie! No way. Pixie is THE creator of the board along with ALJD of course. But thanks for the amazing complement.
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Post by Missundaztood on Apr 1, 2015 10:51:02 GMT -5
I find it very strange that the process seems endless, little happening, but still, based on what we know, my chances seem good, and it does seem like a good time to be on the register. I have never really been in a situation remotely like this before. Add in the possibility of going to some remote location and it gets downright weird The best part is trying to explain what you "know" about the process to friends and family...
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Post by dpageks on Apr 1, 2015 11:25:22 GMT -5
My wife is starting to think I have made this whole thing up; she's starting to believe I took a leisure trip to DC on October 1, 2013 (first day of the government shutdown).
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Post by Gaidin on Apr 1, 2015 11:28:50 GMT -5
My wife is starting to think I have made this whole thing up; she's starting to believe I took a leisure trip to DC on October 1, 2013 (first day of the government shutdown). That is a dedication to trolling. Today you should tell her she is right.
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Post by anotherfed on Apr 1, 2015 12:12:10 GMT -5
My wife is starting to think I have made this whole thing up; she's starting to believe I took a leisure trip to DC on October 1, 2013 (first day of the government shutdown). Maybe we'll all find out this was all a dream or an episode of "Lost." Are shared delusions across 6000 applicants even possible?
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Post by uclabruin on Apr 1, 2015 13:12:09 GMT -5
At ODAR employee meeting with Regional Chief ALJ yesterday, we were told that in addition to the 250 ALJs to be hired this fiscal year, the agency intends to hire an additional 250 ALJs next fiscal year. Wow! Per above post, no kidding, this is the best time to be on the ALJ register!
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Post by ba on Apr 1, 2015 13:19:39 GMT -5
My wife is starting to think I have made this whole thing up; she's starting to believe I took a leisure trip to DC on October 1, 2013 (first day of the government shutdown). Pfft...my wife went with me. And she knows first hand that it wasn't a leisure trip. If anyone had a leisure trip from those few days, it was her.
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Post by dpageks on Apr 1, 2015 17:06:10 GMT -5
Well, poo.
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Post by funkyodar on Apr 1, 2015 17:24:29 GMT -5
Whale poo?
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Post by gary on Apr 1, 2015 18:46:05 GMT -5
Have you ever tried to use a pooper scooper that big in the middle of the ocean?
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Post by Pixie on Apr 1, 2015 18:57:58 GMT -5
Not sure this has been reported, but I don't think it has. The Agency plans to hire 40 to 50 new judges approximately every other month for the rest of the year (fiscal?) and expects to be up 150 judges from where it was at the beginning of the year. Planning to hire 250 total with just over 80 of those already hired. So, this is a good time to be on the register. Pixie. I've got it! Sratty is Pixie! Eh, you got it Gary. Pix.
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Post by privateatty on Apr 1, 2015 19:22:44 GMT -5
I find it very strange that the process seems endless, little happening, but still, based on what we know, my chances seem good, and it does seem like a good time to be on the register. I have never really been in a situation remotely like this before. Add in the possibility of going to some remote location and it gets downright weird The best part is trying to explain what you "know" about the process to friends and family... OK, I'll take the bait. 1. There is this vast pool of lawyers who want to be Judges. Many thousands, at least 5, maybe 10 thousand. But not the kind of Judge you're thinking of. Not a "real" Judge, but one who only hears matters involving money and the government. Think of those who have a beef with the SEC and get fined, or a Longshoreman wanting workers' compensation or a disabled worker who didn't have an on the job injury but can't work. There are approximately 28 federal agencies who have these disputes and they can be divided into an agency fining a company (like a mining company getting fined by an inspector) or a contested case where two parties go head to head, like the longshore case. In addition, in the Interior Dept, you can resolve tribal disputes with the government. There are other examples. However, in the case of SSA and Medicare, the Judge must assume the role of the government attorney because there are hundreds of thousands of cases and the government does not have enough money to pay for all the government lawyers needed. Veterans get points added, 5 for being a vet, 10 if you have a serious disability. 2. These Administrative Law Judges are, in essence, like federal judges in almost all respects as they really can't be fired or disciplined--except when they really screw up. They may not have the power to put people in jail, but it is a lifetime appointment. Arguably, it is the most sought after job in America and certainly the most competitive. Unlike the "real" Judges there are no politics in the hiring process. Approximately 5% of those who initially apply get hired. Knowledge as to when the application process opens is, while not a secret, might as well be as it is not advertised and the government attorneys will know by virtue of their position, private attorneys must rely upon their diligence in searching the government website for the application process to be open. Most of these government attorneys experience a significant bump in pay when hired, but some don't. The rate of pay for these Judges currently tops out at $168,000. 3. In order to make it through they must have a great resume that has trial experience and its graded in an application process--along with an interview and a four hour essay exam. If they get a high score they are then in line to be "picked up" by a government agency. SSA hires 90-95% of these Judges and they decide whom they want by their own interview. That interview and hiring process tends to favor those whom they think they want, and not using an orderly assessment on grades--although the intial hiring agency (OPM) has done all that it can to "force" SSA to comply with the letter and spirit of the law. That is a long and convuleted story. Some other agencies hire from this pool; notably HHS and Labor, but the latter not so much and the former a bit more. 4. So what do you need? You need to be able to test well. You need to be able to think on your feet and present well. You need to follow instructions with OCD intensity. For instance a typo in the application will sink you. You need to be able to wait and live with the knowledge that you know very little of the process you are involved in. 5. This all can take a year or two and you can languish on the Register of elegibles for many years. You can be rejected by SSA and hired by another Agency, although that is rare. Once you are hired you can transfer to another Agency if the latter wants you--you are in the "Corps". 6. SSA Judges work hard, others not as much and some get loaned to Agencies who have work for them. It is a really good job and offers enormous job satisfaction as you impact people's and company's lives and bottom line every day.
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Post by bookman on Apr 1, 2015 20:02:15 GMT -5
Yes at this point they unsuccessfully try to feign interest..
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Post by cougarfan on Apr 1, 2015 22:08:45 GMT -5
The solicitation email for instructors for the June training class (May starting date) went out. It apparently said "tentative." Although it said "tentative" at least things seem to still be on track for the May 18 start and June 8 training class. SRATTY is right. The email I saw indicated the tentative portion is because they don't have definite numbers yet, therefore tentative as to how many groups and therefore instructors are needed. Hoping/planning on two groups.
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Post by 71stretch on Apr 1, 2015 22:11:39 GMT -5
My wife is starting to think I have made this whole thing up; she's starting to believe I took a leisure trip to DC on October 1, 2013 (first day of the government shutdown). Well, and you weren't alone either. A strange woman (me) made that same trip on the same day.... Hmmmmm.
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Post by dpageks on Apr 1, 2015 22:42:17 GMT -5
My wife is starting to think I have made this whole thing up; she's starting to believe I took a leisure trip to DC on October 1, 2013 (first day of the government shutdown). Well, and you weren't alone either. A strange woman (me) made that same trip on the same day.... Hmmmmm. That's too funny; we may have even met during testing.
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Post by moopigsdad on Apr 2, 2015 7:54:06 GMT -5
My wife is starting to think I have made this whole thing up; she's starting to believe I took a leisure trip to DC on October 1, 2013 (first day of the government shutdown). Well, and you weren't alone either. A strange woman (me) made that same trip on the same day.... Hmmmmm. Wow, I never thought 71stretch would admit to being "strange", but now I have seen and heard it all.
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Post by 71stretch on Apr 2, 2015 9:13:07 GMT -5
Well, and you weren't alone either. A strange woman (me) made that same trip on the same day.... Hmmmmm. Wow, I never thought 71stretch would admit to being "strange", but now I have seen and heard it all. Strange in terms of "unknown". But I suppose I do have some other quirks.
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Post by valiant on Apr 2, 2015 15:00:20 GMT -5
Apparently interviews were supposed to be conducted last week and this week, but have been delayed b/c the certs aren't back yet
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