Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2015 8:21:17 GMT -5
So many this year it seems. Explanations?
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Post by sealaw90 on Jul 23, 2015 9:04:35 GMT -5
Mind providing more details, like how many, locations, etc.? My local HOCALJ is getting along in years and may have put in their retirement letter. There's a vacant HOCALJ on the west coast, but otherwise I would like to know where else this is happening.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2015 13:04:29 GMT -5
Buffalo, Seattle, L.A., DC, Cleveland, San Diego, Tampa, Orlando, Phoenix, an office in New Mexico, an office in South Carolina, an office in Wisconsin, Georgia offices...and that's off the top of my head and all in the last couple of months or so. If I had to guess, probably dozens since the start of the year.
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Post by Propmaster on Jul 23, 2015 16:09:11 GMT -5
My region has 5 offices without permanent HOCALJs appointed (none of the above).
I presume that they only want someone who will be exactly in line with upper management goals, procedures, and tactics. Thus, they prefer no one over an unknown quantity. We have had acting HOCALJs in charge of 3 or more offices at one time.
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Post by sealaw90 on Jul 23, 2015 16:20:51 GMT -5
Wow, that is a lot! I appreciate the list. Not that I am getting one of those, but I wonder how this impacts baby judges. Probably nil, the more important person is your mentor, not the HOCALJ. Thanks.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 23, 2015 20:59:32 GMT -5
MANY ALJs take on a HOCALJ position to get a paid move back home or to a city they want. I am not saying that is the best reason to take a management position, but it is the reality of why many do. Once they have served a reasonable time, they step down and someone new gives it a go.
It is good experience and it is a good way to learn the inner workings of the agency. I know from being an Acting HOD, it enlightened me as to what all was involved in running the office. It gave me a healthy respect for those who serve as HODs and HOCALJs. It is not an easy job and it takes a great deal of patience and skill to carry a caseload and to put out the fires that come up as HOCALJ. Many serve their time and then decide it is time to let someone else take on the challenge. I am not so sure seeing this many openings is anything out of the ordinary.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2015 8:06:59 GMT -5
thanks everyone. i was concerned about a mass exodus for some reason unknown to me.
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Post by Pixie on Jul 24, 2015 8:36:11 GMT -5
Back years ago when there were about 120 OHA offices, there were usually around 30 vacancies per year--about 25% to 30%, I think was the norm. Don't know what it is today, but I think the openings are staying vacant longer, probably because of what Prop stated above.
No, Flowing, there is no mass exodus that I am aware of. HOCALJ is a tough job, as is HOD*, and most aren't willing to give so much of themselves, and to give up so much of their free time to the job. It is a job that normally can't be done in 40 to 45 hours a week.
__________ *I am sure JudgeRatty can vouch for this.
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Post by whyohwhy on Jul 24, 2015 14:43:36 GMT -5
I would also suggest that as the Agency expands more and more the ability to telework, it will become harder and harder to find people to enter any management position. While HOCALJ's are permitted to telework 1 day a week many simply can't consistently do so due to trying to balance management duties and hearing cases. Meanwhile, they see line ALJs working from home 2 or 3 days a week.
Same goes for HOD's and group supervisors who aren't permitted to telework at all generally speaking. They see the writers working from home 3 days a week and soon it seems the case techs will also be working from home to some degree. Heck, writers can now do their Saturday overtime from home while some poor group sup has to waste their Saturday in the office supervising a small number of case techs who come in to pull cases. They are all completely thankless jobs.
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dwfl
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Post by dwfl on Jul 24, 2015 19:56:08 GMT -5
Which region allows writers to do OT from home?
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Post by prescient on Jul 24, 2015 22:32:52 GMT -5
Which region allows writers to do OT from home? States where AFGE is your Union
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jcse
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Post by jcse on Jul 27, 2015 20:49:00 GMT -5
The reason for all the vacancies is, Bice is putting more and more pressure on HOCALJs to whip their ALJs into status and number shape. No one wants this job..it is demeaning emotionally and physically..most HOCALJs know the stresses their ALJs are under to produce. Also, HOCALJs can get the same pay and work at home..so, duh? who needs it? Maybe Bice will realize at some point that no one wants the job and either she needs to change the structure of ODAR or be resigned to the fact that no one in their right mind would take this job.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 8:29:41 GMT -5
My goodness. I'm glad I applied for HOCALJ. I hope I can both serve the agency and serve the needs of the individual ALJs. With a little help and good fortune, maybe I can buck the trend. This is my only go around in life and I would like to leave a positive legacy both at home and at work. I am young and hopeful enough to try it.
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Post by anotherfed on Jul 28, 2015 8:59:00 GMT -5
My goodness. I'm glad I applied for HOCALJ. I hope I can both serve the agency and serve the needs of the individual ALJs. With a little help and good fortune, maybe I can buck the trend. This is my only go around in life and I would like to leave a positive legacy both at home and at work. I am young and hopeful enough to try it. We need good people. Good luck!
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Post by prescient on Jul 28, 2015 9:05:52 GMT -5
The reason for all the vacancies is, Bice is putting more and more pressure on HOCALJs to whip their ALJs into status and number shape. No one wants this job..it is demeaning emotionally and physically..most HOCALJs know the stresses their ALJs are under to produce. Also, HOCALJs can get the same pay and work at home..so, duh? who needs it? Maybe Bice will realize at some point that no one wants the job and either she needs to change the structure of ODAR or be resigned to the fact that no one in their right mind would take this job. I think it depends on the reason(s) one takes the position. If you are only taking it for a paid relocation, yea, it is going to be miserable for both you and your hearing office. As the HOCALJ, you are the leader of the office, and if your heart isn't all-in on wanting to actively lead and better the office, everyone is going to know, morale will plummet, and the office will quickly become dysfunctional. Conversely, if you take the position, with the primary intent of using your leadership skills to try to make a difference, I think it can be a really rewarding experience. Stressful? at times maddening? of course.
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Post by christina on Jul 28, 2015 9:22:02 GMT -5
flowing, thanks for jumping on board for this then. wish you all the best with the hocalj job
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Post by Propmaster on Jul 28, 2015 10:34:58 GMT -5
... No one wants this job..it is demeaning emotionally and physically ... I think it depends on the reason(s) one takes the position. If you are only taking it for a paid relocation, yea, it is going to be miserable for both you and your hearing office. As the HOCALJ, you are the leader of the office, and if your heart isn't all-in on wanting to actively lead and better the office, everyone is going to know, morale will plummet, and the office will quickly become dysfunctional. Conversely, if you take the position, with the primary intent of using your leadership skills to try to make a difference, I think it can be a really rewarding experience. Stressful? at times maddening? of course. I think sometimes it is the HOCALJs with the best intentions to make a difference who suffer the most from finding out they are not supported in fostering the environment they thought they were going to be able to foster, but rather are expected to be unimpeding conduits of exact management edicts. This is the worst I have ever seen the morale in the Agency in 20 years. +1 for This (except I don't have 20 years to judge from). Nonetheless, I still want the job very much, because all things change and the pendulum swings etc., etc. And anyway, I'm living in the bunker now anyway, I may as well have more pay and the ability to make decisions on cases
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 12:22:56 GMT -5
propmaster...I'm not naïve to the constraints and challenges, but I believe I can make a positive impact. It all starts with attitude and outlook. A positive attitude can be contagious. I plan to back up the attitude with high personal productivity and a solid, unwavering vision. It's time for me to give more.
propmaster - hope you get a HOCALJ position, so long as it is not my target offices.
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Post by Propmaster on Jul 28, 2015 13:20:58 GMT -5
propmaster...I'm not naïve to the constraints and challenges, but I believe I can make a positive impact. It all starts with attitude and outlook. A positive attitude can be contagious. I plan to back up the attitude with high personal productivity and a solid, unwavering vision. It's time for me to give more.
propmaster - hope you get a HOCALJ position, so long as it is not my target offices. I wish you all the best! Not every region is the same, I am sure. But please don't wish the position on me! If appointed as HOCALJ I shall not serve! I had sufficient time as a manager to steer clear. I assume you mean appointed as a regular old line ALJ, in which case, I agree. Edit: I realize on review the ambiguity in my earlier post. I meant I still want the ALJ job despite low morale in the agency, not that I still want the HOCALJ job. Sorry.
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Post by luckylady2 on Jul 28, 2015 14:01:01 GMT -5
Best of luck, flowing! We DO need good people who WANT to make it a positive experience.
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