157 new ALJs are being hired this Month

[lawmaker]

May 22, 2009 8:18:35 GMT -5 notherapp said:

Today, Valkyrie wrote:

"If I recall correctly, anyone on the OPM register can retake any part of the scoring aspects, app, interview, or written, one year later. Anyone on the inside should know that, and if they had a score below 60 should have taken advantage of it this time around with the new people."

That was incorrect, as a follow-up poster wrote. There is a one year bar, and the new posting was just under that blackout period. In fact, someone in just that position DID apply and received a summary rejection on the basis that a year had not passed. What is unfortunate is that, not only might scores improve merely because re-applicants know the ropes (similar to taking the SAT again), but it has been almost two years since the first process and a number of people have additional experience relevant to the position which will not factor in their score.

Imagine how people from the 93 test felt when class actions and other changes prevented updating resumes straight through 2006. 13 years worth of changes and no way to have it assessed.

[valkyrie]

I forgot that the reopening of the register did come in just under the wire. On the other hand, if ODAR was so intent on favoring their own, wouldn't they have waited to give their own people an opportunity to buff up their apps? As it is, between the first and second open registers the title of the Senior Attorney Advisors was changed to "Senior Attorney Adjudicator." The name change alone could be worth extra points on the app.

[pm]

May 22, 2009 8:32:13 GMT -5 valkyrie said:

I forgot that the reopening of the register did come in just under the wire. On the other hand, if ODAR was so intent on favoring their own, wouldn't they have waited to give their own people an opportunity to buff up their apps? As it is, between the first and second open registers the title of the Senior Attorney Advisors was changed to "Senior Attorney Adjudicator." The name change alone could be worth extra points on the app.

I suspect the ODAR viewpoint is that it's the responsibility of ODAR employees to make it onto the register with a decent score. If that happens, ODAR will give their favorites every opportunity for a position, but they're not going to play speculative games based on the ability of ODAR employees to get higher scores from OPM. That assumes too much about both the employees and OPM. And I don't think any job title gets points at all, not even ALJ or judge. Regardless as to what your job title is, if your explanation of the job doesn't fit well within the competencies, you're going to be hurting for points.