April 27, 2022 SSA ALJ Hiring Announcement on USAJOBS

[blahblahblah]

The posting is live. Good luck all who apply.

[shoocat]

I found the following from the announcement quite interesting:
15) evaluate the credibility of witnesses, and resolve conflicts in lay and expert evidence;

Since when have we gone back to evaluating credibility and not consistency with the record as a whole? I thought "credibility" was a bad word?

[tomz]

...and so it begins... : )

[hopefalj]

Apr 27, 2022 12:14:34 GMT -5 tomz said:

...and so it begins... : )

Someone needs to create the “The Game is Afoot” thread asap!

[Maria C.]

Was I the only one worried that the posting for the Social Security ALJ Position would somehow close (1000 application cap.) while trying to answer the questions and find emails/phone numbers for NINE references? Good Luck everyone!

[Happy_in_KS]

Apr 27, 2022 12:10:04 GMT -5 shoocat said:

I found the following from the announcement quite interesting:
15) evaluate the credibility of witnesses, and resolve conflicts in lay and expert evidence;

Since when have we gone back to evaluating credibility and not consistency with the record as a whole? I thought "credibility" was a bad word?

Someone in HR wrote it, they might not follow changes in the law and just adapted an old vacancy announcement.

[ALJD]

Apr 27, 2022 12:17:50 GMT -5 hopefalj said:

Apr 27, 2022 12:14:34 GMT -5 tomz said:

...and so it begins... : )

Someone needs to create the “The Game is Afoot” thread asap!

OK, since you asked...

We're starting a new thread now that SSA hiring announcement is live.

This morning's posts discussing this announcement from the 2022 ALJ hiring thread have been moved here because that old thread was getting too long.

Link to the announcement: www.usajobs.gov/job/651261700

Good luck to all the candidates. It's been a long time!

[Deleted]

Is it wrong to apply even though one knows there is only a very slim chance at selection, thus bumping someone else out of the 1,000 potential applicants?

[christina]

www.reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/giphy-7-1.gif

[hoosierdaddy]

OK, so it says, "Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. You may only select up to 1 location(s)." Then it lists a bunch of places to choose from and allows you to select more than one.
Is the "You may only select up to 1 location(s)" a command?

[bigfred]

I can't believe they want 9 references. This may be a dumb question, but how likely are they to contact those people before scheduling an interview? I only listed one location, and so I doubt I'll be interviewed. I don't want these 9 people being contacted without some warning from me, but I don't want to have to reach out and contact them unless necessary. Am I wrong to just wait and see if I can get an interview, and then warn the references at that point?

[nylawyer]

Apr 27, 2022 13:34:53 GMT -5 bigfred said:

I can't believe they want 9 references. This may be a dumb question, but how likely are they to contact those people before scheduling an interview? I only listed one location, and so I doubt I'll be interviewed. I don't want these 9 people being contacted without some warning from me, but I don't want to have to reach out and contact them unless necessary. Am I wrong to just wait and see if I can get an interview, and then warn the references at that point?

Warn them. If you want the job then you don't want a problem and want the references to be prepared.

Moreover, it's better for your relationship with these people that they know it is coming.

Ideally you'd want to speak with them before listing them as a reference, but given the time limits here I would not hold up submitting the application.

[mango54]

I see no requirement at the application stage for a writing sample? Am I missing that? Is anyone else submitting one even though they do not ask for one?

[nylawyer]

Apr 27, 2022 12:51:59 GMT -5 @tinfish said:

Is it wrong to apply even though one knows there is only a very slim chance at selection, thus bumping someone else out of the 1,000 potential applicants?

I would say no, but I imagine those who are hoping to make the cut might feel differently.

I guess maybe it depends on why you feel it is very slim. If it's because you don't meet the minimum qualifications, then yes it's wrong.

[kastelf]

Apr 27, 2022 12:30:20 GMT -5 Maria C. said:

Was I the only one worried that the posting for the Social Security ALJ Position would somehow close (1000 application cap.) while trying to answer the questions and find emails/phone numbers for NINE references? Good Luck everyone!

I am fairly certain it is going to close while I wait for some of my desired references to give me the okay.

[ALJD]

Apr 27, 2022 13:42:42 GMT -5 kastelf said:

Apr 27, 2022 12:30:20 GMT -5 Maria C. said:

Was I the only one worried that the posting for the Social Security ALJ Position would somehow close (1000 application cap.) while trying to answer the questions and find emails/phone numbers for NINE references? Good Luck everyone!

I am fairly certain it is going to close while I wait for some of my desired references to give me the okay.

Based on USAJOBS explanation re cut-off (see:www.usajobs.gov//Help/how-to/job-announcement/closing-types/#applicant-cut-off), it seems the announcement will close at 11:59 PM EST on the day they receive 1000 applications.

So it doesn't look like the announcement will close suddenly during the middle of a day as soon as they hit 1000.

On the other hand, what are the odd that this announcement will still be open on 12 am Thursday?

[nylawyer]

Apr 27, 2022 13:58:06 GMT -5 ALJD said:

Apr 27, 2022 13:42:42 GMT -5 kastelf said:

I am fairly certain it is going to close while I wait for some of my desired references to give me the okay.

Based on USAJOBS explanation re cut-off (see:www.usajobs.gov//Help/how-to/job-announcement/closing-types/#applicant-cut-off), it seems the announcement will close at 11:59 PM EST on the day they receive 1000 applications.

So it doesn't look like the announcement will close suddenly during the middle of a day as soon as they hit 1000.

On the other hand, what are the odd that this announcement will still be open on 12 am Thursday?

I'd set over/under as closing on Friday.

[dwesq]

What you need to apply:

Resume documenting 7 years experience
Proof of Bar dated within the last year
Law School Transcript

9 total Legal references:
3 Judicial
3 Supervisor
3 Opposing Council/Adversarial

You can click other for a reference type that doesn't apply. E.g. if you're self employed and don't have a supervisor or you dont know any judges, or have never had opposing council.

There are 6 KSA type questions:

Assessment 1* = Required Field
All applicants must demonstrate experience and qualifications directly related to the six competencies necessary to successfully perform the duties of an Administrative Law Judge. You must submit a narrative statement for each of the six listed competencies. Each response is limited to 3000 characters. Each of your six responses should be a self-contained statement with specific examples related to that specific competency. Your examples should be clear and concise and should emphasize your level of responsibility and the scope of complexity of the described example.


1.Decision Making: Social Security Administrative Law Judges conduct non-adversarial, fact-finding proceedings involving voluminous data in a fast-paced work environment. They must be able to make decisions promptly and adjudicate large numbers of cases. They must quickly and correctly apply applicable law, regulation, and Social Security policy. They must make policy compliant decisions in a high-volume environment and draft timely, accurate decisions or decision instructions.

In the text box below, please explain how your experience addresses this competency: (limit 3,000 characters)

2.Case Analysis: Social Security Administrative Law Judges conduct non-adversarial, fact-finding proceedings involving voluminous data in a fast-paced environment. To timely and accurately adjudicate cases, they must analyze, evaluate, and weigh evidence involving technical subject matter; identify and define issues; make findings of fact and conclusions of law; and clearly articulate support for their decisions.

In the text box below, please explain how your experience addresses this competency: (limit 3,000 characters)

3.Workload Management: Social Security Administrative Law Judges carry heavy caseloads and must independently prioritize and process assigned cases. They must prepare for hearings by reviewing voluminous medical records then preside at non-adversarial hearings to develop the record supporting the decision in the case. They must also monitor cases in development, edit prepared decisions, and manage the assigned docket to ensure timely and policy compliant decisions.

In the text box below, please explain how your experience addresses this competency: (limit 3,000 characters)

4.Judicial Temperament: Social Security Administrative Law Judges must interact with lawyers, claimants, members of the public, office staff, and office management. They must treat everyone with dignity, respect, patience, fairness, and understanding. Additionally, they must exhibit a commitment to equal justice, impartiality, and freedom from bias, to decide issues timely and according to law, policy, and regulation.

In the text box below, please explain how your experience addresses this competency: (limit 3,000 characters)

5.Professional Competence: Social Security Administrative Law Judges manage and conduct multiple adjudicatory processes, preside over non-adversarial proceedings, and issue policy compliant decisions in a high-volume legal setting. They must possess sound judgment, strong writing and analytical ability, knowledge of the law, and have appropriate professional experience including administrative hearings and/or trial experience.

In the text box below, please explain how your experience addresses this competency: (limit 3,000 characters)

6.Subject Matter Expertise: Social Security Administrative Law Judges apply the Social Security Act and the Commissioner's regulations, rulings, and policy statements to issue timely, legally sufficient, policy compliant decisions.

The app asks several questions about the ability to speak, read, and write in spanish

first you have to choose one priority city. Then on the same pages as all the questions there is checkbox list of over 150 cities. IIRC you should check all of them if you really really want the job.

GL to everyone!!

[Gaidin]

Apr 27, 2022 13:34:53 GMT -5 bigfred said:

I can't believe they want 9 references. This may be a dumb question, but how likely are they to contact those people before scheduling an interview? I only listed one location, and so I doubt I'll be interviewed. I don't want these 9 people being contacted without some warning from me, but I don't want to have to reach out and contact them unless necessary. Am I wrong to just wait and see if I can get an interview, and then warn the references at that point?

They will contact all 9 of them. If you search old threads you can even find the questions they will ask.

[Gaidin]

May the odds be ever in your favor!