|
|
Post by jboston on Aug 9, 2016 8:28:06 GMT -5
I am a GS-15 equivalent (alternative pay scale) long time Fed attorney (15 years since law school graduation). I have worked for three agencies and am currently in a supervisory attorney position with primarily management/policy responsibilities and no longer do litigation (did admin litigation for 10 years). I applied for the recent ALJ exam, made the first cut, and took the online component.
From what I have read on this forum so far, it sounds like the next step is an interview in DC by a panel if I make the next cut. Can those with more knowledge give me more information? Should I expect an email or call whether or not I make the next cut? What will determine if I make the next cut? I'm not sure I did so well on the online component. Does the resume or test hold more weight?
Any and all information appreciated! I may be able to find this information on this board elsewhere, but I'm finding it a bit hard to navigate because I'm not familiar with all of the acronyms and the process. I thought I would start a new thread because there must be other first timers out there looking for this information, too. |
|
|
|
Post by msp on Aug 9, 2016 8:47:36 GMT -5
jboston, welcome! I know it can be tricky working your way through all of the information on this forum, but the most helpful information is stickied or pinned at the top of the main general board. Those posts should answer most of your questions - and then some. Seriously, grab a cup of coffee (or whatever your morning brew may be) and start at the beginning. It's absolutely worth the time. If you and I are fortunate enough to pass the recent online component, we will receive an email. If everyone else has gotten the invitation to go to DC (for more testing and an interview), but we have not, we may be out of luck. Cross that bridge if we have to, but until then, welcome aboard and good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by SaveMeASeat on Aug 9, 2016 8:51:39 GMT -5
Welcome. Try the thread "DC Testing" for more information on what you are seeking. BTW, my observation is that threads are typically generated after discussion of a particular need on an already existing thread or on advice of forum moderators.
|
|
|
|
Post by minny on Aug 9, 2016 8:54:16 GMT -5
The only thing that I would add to msp's response is that your resume got you in the door but is no longer relevant. This is a competitive process and the entire score is based on the three phases of testing. If you scored well enough you will get the invite to phase 3. Welcome to the board.
|
|
|
|
Post by monopoly on Aug 9, 2016 8:56:14 GMT -5
Welcome! Yes, the acronyms can be tricky to pick up on if you are not familiar with the lingo. If you are lucky enough to take the next step in the process, you will receive an email. Day one of the next step involves a writing activity and logic examination. Day two is a structured interview. Good luck!
|
|
rice
Full Member
Posts: 30 
|
Post by rice on Aug 9, 2016 9:16:38 GMT -5
FloridaLadyLaw noted that the second highest subgroup got to go to DC eventually; did the folks who scored the second subgroup after the DC testing (i.e., those who were previously nixed due to mediocre performance on the WD or Logic Test) also move forward, eventually...?
|
|
|
|
Post by gary on Aug 9, 2016 9:24:34 GMT -5
FloridaLadyLaw noted that the second highest subgroup got to go to DC eventually; did the folks who scored the second subgroup after the DC testing (i.e., those who were previously nixed due to mediocre performance on the WD or Logic Test) also move forward, eventually...?
No. Absent a (rare) successful appeal, the only path forward for someone who fails to get the minimum score on the WD (Written Demonstration) and/or the SI (Structured Interview) is reapplication and starting all over again during a subsequent JOA (Job Opportunity Announcement) open period. There is no required minimum score on the LBMT (Logic Based Measurement Test). |
|
|
|
Post by msp on Aug 9, 2016 9:29:02 GMT -5
rice , not to my knowledge, if I understand your question correctly. Some folks have appealed their results from the trip to DC, but there has been no adjudication of those appeals - and based on board information, there may not be any results on the appeals for quite some time. I was part of that second highest subgroup and went to DC in October 2015. I did not make the register in March, so that was it for me - until the process re-opened in April and I'm back for more fun.
|
|
rice
Full Member
Posts: 30
|
Post by rice on Aug 9, 2016 9:29:08 GMT -5
I love this board. Everyone is so helpful here.
Man, with each passing day, I just really feel like I failed.
|
|
|
|
Post by sealaw90 on Aug 9, 2016 9:31:40 GMT -5
FloridaLadyLaw noted that the second highest subgroup got to go to DC eventually; did the folks who scored the second subgroup after the DC testing (i.e., those who were previously nixed due to mediocre performance on the WD or Logic Test) also move forward, eventually...?
Not to anyone's knowledge. It was the online portion of the entire exam process (affectionately known as Phase 2) that resulted in a higher-scoring sub group that moved onto Phase 3 (trip to DC) in 2013. In 2015, OPM chose to select a next-higher scoring sub group to move onto Phase 3 testing. If you 'failed' phase 3, you never made the register but you got your appeal rights. |
|
|
|
Post by msp on Aug 9, 2016 9:32:39 GMT -5
rice, at this point, you can't change your results, so no sense in worrying or beating self up - save that for another day 
|
|
|
|
Post by bayou on Aug 9, 2016 9:47:24 GMT -5
The only thing that I would add to msp's response is that your resume got you in the door but is no longer relevant. This is a competitive process and the entire score is based on the three phases of testing. If you scored well enough you will get the invite to phase 3. Welcome to the board. I don't think the resume plays any role in the OPM process. I don't think the resume is ever looked at by OPM. |
|
|
|
Post by msp on Aug 9, 2016 9:49:13 GMT -5
The only thing that I would add to msp's response is that your resume got you in the door but is no longer relevant. This is a competitive process and the entire score is based on the three phases of testing. If you scored well enough you will get the invite to phase 3. Welcome to the board. I don't think the resume plays any role in the OPM process. I don't think the resume is ever looked at by OPM. Then I should probably eliminate the pictures of puppies on mine  |
|
|
|
Post by fowlfinder on Aug 9, 2016 10:21:06 GMT -5
Then I should probably eliminate the pictures of puppies on mine If they are not in a basket, then definitely. |
|
|
|
Post by aa7 on Aug 9, 2016 10:51:36 GMT -5
I'm just wondering why at a GS-15 with what sounds like a pretty good job, you want to be an ALJ. 8-/
|
|
|
|
Post by stevil on Aug 9, 2016 11:02:25 GMT -5
I'm just wondering why at a GS-15 with what sounds like a pretty good job, you want to be an ALJ. 8-/ I can't speak for jBoston, but paraphrasing Mel Brooks, it's good to be the judge! Plus, ALJ caps out at a higher pay level then GS-15, and one will probably have more autonomy as an ALJ than as a GS-15 somewhere in the supervisory chain of an agency. |
|
|
|
Post by stevil on Aug 9, 2016 11:04:09 GMT -5
Or as my current ALJ buds with former military experience keep telling me - ALJ is the best legal job in the federal government!
|
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Aug 9, 2016 12:52:54 GMT -5
I don't think the resume plays any role in the OPM process. I don't think the resume is ever looked at by OPM. Then I should probably eliminate the pictures of puppies on mine That's my understanding as well. Pixie |
|
|
|
Post by phoenixrisingALJ on Aug 9, 2016 12:58:19 GMT -5
I thought baskets of puppies and kitties helped? I was planning on wearing my handknitted sweater with the kittie and puppies to my interview if I get that far!
|
|
|
|
Post by hopeful41 on Aug 9, 2016 13:17:21 GMT -5
I'm just wondering why at a GS-15 with what sounds like a pretty good job, you want to be an ALJ. 8-/ I can't speak for jBoston, but paraphrasing Mel Brooks, it's good to be the judge! Plus, ALJ caps out at a higher pay level then GS-15, and one will probably have more autonomy as an ALJ than as a GS-15 somewhere in the supervisory chain of an agency. I was a 15/10 in DC and got a raise when I took the ALJ job. All of those rules about not taking a pay cut when moving from one federal job to another (as long as the range goes as high as what you're presently making) apply. The ALJ pay scale, while dipping below some portions of the GS scale, is an SES equivalent scale. |
|
