Changing your location preferences

[Administrator ALJ]

I apologize profusely and fervently if this is repetitive of another posting, but my hubs is hyperventilating so I don't have much brain power to do more than cursory research.

The problem is he's hyperventilating at the locations we chose over two years ago when the announcement first appeared and wondering if there is any way we (I?) can change my location preferences going forward. He'd like us not to be locked in to being near his mother or anyone in my cray-cray familia.

Thanks all!
NRGJudge

[gary]

Not until OPM:

1. Allows us to modify our GALs;

2. Refreshes the register; or

3. Creates a new register.

[Administrator ALJ]

Thanks, Gary. I'll get hubs a paper bag to breathe into until one of those three happens.

[gary]

There was a rumor OPM would be allowing modification of GALs "soon."

With the current proctored/coming testing of the next highest online scorers, it seems like a refresh is fairly distant.

A new register seems very distant.

[ok1956]

Sept 21, 2015 17:51:41 GMT -5 Administrator ALJ said:

I apologize profusely and fervently if this is repetitive of another posting, but my hubs is hyperventilating so I don't have much brain power to do more than cursory research.

The problem is he's hyperventilating at the locations we chose over two years ago when the announcement first appeared and wondering if there is any way we (I?) can change my location preferences going forward. He'd like us not to be locked in to being near his mother or anyone in my cray-cray familia.

Thanks all!
NRGJudge


Unless those are the only locations on your GAL you also have the option to strike them if you get a cert list.

[Administrator ALJ]

Gary,

I love your avatar btw.

The refresh would only apply to current ALJs, correct? I'm testing in DC in December (and probably a long way off from an offer), but my husband is still having kittens about the potential of being close to family.

Is the timing for changing location preferences different for current federal ALJs (transfers really) than those that are just "still in the running" like me?

PS, is there a better moniker for those of us in the testing phase? Wannabes is all I've come up with but it seems a bit pejorative.

[gary]

Sept 21, 2015 18:16:07 GMT -5 Administrator ALJ said:

Gary,

I love your avatar btw.

The refresh would only apply to current ALJs, correct? I'm testing in DC in December (and probably a long way off from an offer), but my husband is still having kittens about the potential of being close to family.

Is the timing for changing location preferences different for current federal ALJs (transfers really) than those that are just "still in the running" like me?

PS, is there a better moniker for those of us in the testing phase? Wannabes is all I've come up with but it seems a bit pejorative.

Thanks. Sam was a terrific cat.

A refresh is when OPM opens it up to new applications to get onto the register. The people applying start at the beginning with their applications. When the register is refreshed, those already on the register are allowed to modify their GALs.

OPM can, and on one occasion did, allow modification without a refresh. Many on the register are hoping OPM will do this soon.

If OPM allows modification for those on the register, I would think they will also allow those about to test to modify theirs. OPM doesn't always do what makes sense to me.

[lawmom90]

Sept 21, 2015 18:16:07 GMT -5 Administrator ALJ said:

Gary,

I love your avatar btw.

The refresh would only apply to current ALJs, correct? I'm testing in DC in December (and probably a long way off from an offer), but my husband is still having kittens about the potential of being close to family.

Is the timing for changing location preferences different for current federal ALJs (transfers really) than those that are just "still in the running" like me?

PS, is there a better moniker for those of us in the testing phase? Wannabes is all I've come up with but it seems a bit pejorative.

Contestants, perhaps

[luckylady2]

Just in case you're wonder where we're finding the restriction, NRG, it's from OPM and it's in the job announcement itself.

Geographic Availability

Please carefully select the geographical locations where you would be willing to accept an appointment as an ALJ by an agency of the Federal Government. Once this ALJ Job Opportunity Announcement closes, you will not be able to change (i.e., add or remove) your selected geographical location(s) until the next ALJ Job Opportunity Announcement open period. OPM may announce additional periods during which candidates already on the register may make changes, at OPM's discretion.

And in case you haven't picked this up, you're in good company.  MANY of us would love to change our GAL designations because life has changed since March of 2013.

Good luck on the tests!

[christina]

also, if you do well enough on this alj testing and make the register, you at some point are allowed to eliminate cities you previously indicated you were willing to work at. once you make this initial elimination, i am not sure you can add those cities back on down the road unless there is a refresh as noted above. a

Also, if you don't eliminate a city and get an offer there, you want to accept it. SSA does get a bit grumpy if you don't accept what they offer esp since you are given a chance beforehand to eliminate cities.

Someone who has gone through this process can add to, clarify, and if needed, revise what i am saying as im relying on hearsay for this but i am at close to the mark or at least in the ballpark on these comments.

[71stretch]

Sept 22, 2015 3:41:17 GMT -5 christina said:

also, if you do well enough on this alj testing and make the register, you at some point are allowed to eliminate cities you previously indicated you were willing to work at. once you make this initial elimination, i am not sure you can add those cities back on down the road unless there is a refresh as noted above. a

Also, if you don't eliminate a city and get an offer there, you want to accept it. SSA does get a bit grumpy if you don't accept what they offer esp since you are given a chance beforehand to eliminate cities.

Someone who has gone through this process can add to, clarify, and if needed, revise what i am saying as im relying on hearsay for this but i am at close to the mark or at least in the ballpark on these comments.

You don't get a chance to knock off cities until you are notified that you have made a certificate and given the list of cities that are on your GAL that they have certificates for. You can remove cities at that time, and cannot put them back on your list unless there is a refresh or OPM allows people to adjust their GALs without a refresh, which has been done once before.

If you turn down two offers, you are suspended from the register for a year. So, choose cities wisely, once you are notified you are on a certificate.

[christina]

thanks 71!

[Administrator ALJ]

Thanks LuckyLady2! In less than a month, I'll be on my way to DC (I really didn't think I'd even get THIS far). I'm over the moon to even have a shot.

[phoenixrakkasan]

That is the attitude to have.  Best of luck!  Of course, luck equals opportunity meets preparation!

[Administrator ALJ]

Thanks for the information, Christina and 71stretch! I understand the reasons behind the policy penalizing those on the registry for choosing cities and then turning down offers. I am nervous about the one year suspension from the registry, though.

[gary]

The consequences of declining to be considered for a city are very different from the consequences of turning down an offer.

[71stretch]

Nov 9, 2015 14:46:15 GMT -5 gary said:

The consequences of declining to be considered for a city are very different from the consequences of turning down an offer.

Yes, they are. That's why you don't want to set yourself up to turn down two offers by leaving cities on your GAL you are not willing to go to.