ALJ Hiring info

[crazybroad]

Just heard from an ALJ that they were told that hiring and training would occur in two classess of 75.

[aljsouth]

At first I heard two classes, but also have heard maybe three of just over 60. Teaching is easier with 60, but the expense of three classes makes me suspect SSA will opt for two classes.

[deadwood]

aljsouth said:

At first I heard two classes, but also have heard maybe three of just over 60. Teaching is easier with 60, but the expense of three classes makes me suspect SSA will opt for two classes.

. . . meaning that just over 180 ALJs are going to be hired?

[aljsouth]

deadwood said:

aljsouth said:

At first I heard two classes, but also have heard maybe three of just over 60. Teaching is easier with 60, but the expense of three classes makes me suspect SSA will opt for two classes.

. . . meaning that just over 180 ALJs are going to be hired?

My mistake. Meant fifty, typed 60, not once but twice.

[Propmaster]

crazybroad said:

Just heard from an ALJ that they were told that hiring and training would occur in two classess of 75.

I hope that despite breaking up the group for traiing, they still apply for a single cert - with two certs for 75, the same 150 not selected the first time would be back the second round, for a total of about 300 being interviewed, rather than 450. If i have any chance of getting on a cert, the interview pool needs to get into the bottom 1/3 of applicants (i.e. 440/650 interviewed).

[deadwood]

aljsouth said:

deadwood said:

. . . meaning that just over 180 ALJs are going to be hired?

My mistake. Meant fifty, typed 60, not once but twice.

Wishful thinking on my part! ;D

[kolekole]

peejay said:

I have heard both that the agency can't, and that it can, hire under a CR. With no budget in sight, I hope that's true. Does anyone have a definitive answer to whether they have to wait for a budget?

Not a definitive answer, but my recollection is that unless otherwise specified by Congress, a continuing resolution allows an agency to continuing spending money (obligating funds) at the same rate as under the previous year's expired appropriation. If correct, the only way to hire a large number of highly paid employees under the CR would be to slash another expenditure, which seems an unlikely scenario for an agency that asserts it is underfunded to start with.

[justalawyer]

crazybroad said:

Just heard from an ALJ that they were told that hiring and training would occur in two classess of 75.

I heard, from a reputable but anonymous source, that it would be 3 classes of 50; one starting in December (I know, sounds ridiculous), another in March and the final one in June. From the same source I also heard that interviews would not be at the candidates expense. Suppose it's all speculation at this point.

Oh, and as for the CR ... in my federal agency (not SSA, but similar) we can't spend ANY funds except those that are mission critical. So I suspect hiring new ALJs will have to wait until the budget is approved.

[aljsouth]

propmaster said:

crazybroad said:

Just heard from an ALJ that they were told that hiring and training would occur in two classess of 75.

I hope that despite breaking up the group for traiing, they still apply for a single cert - with two certs for 75, the same 150 not selected the first time would be back the second round, for a total of about 300 being interviewed, rather than 450. If i have any chance of getting on a cert, the interview pool needs to get into the bottom 1/3 of applicants (i.e. 440/650 interviewed).

I suspect the agency will interview once and select two groups (or three depending depending of how many training classes) and then put group one in training class one for march/april and the other in month whatever, etc. Just my thoughts, but who really knows?

[kolekole]

Article in the Washington Post today says that House and Senate negotiators have agreed upon funding for SSA, but Presidential aides predict that the President will veto the bill. The letter also quoted from a September letter from Astrue:

"Under any funding scenario in fiscal 2008, SSA has limited remaining resources to use to drive down the hearings backlog," he wrote.

In the next year, field offices "will be unable to replace employees who leave," he said.

The only significant hiring will be for hearings, where the agency hopes to add about 150 administrative law judges, starting in the spring, Astrue said.

[kingfisher]

The CALJ's office sent out a solicitation for Instructors for New ALJ Training today. It noted that "in anticipation of securing hiring authority in FY 2008, the Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge solicits interest from potential instructors for new ALJ training. . . . interested ALJs are to send response through proper channels by c.o.b. November 16, 2007."

So, plans are moving forward at a brisk pace it appears.

[happy]

A private firm will conduct the background investigations then interviews will begin January 8 and end February 1st. As it stands, the first class will be 75 and begin in March. Subject to receipt of hiring authority, the second class will be 75 and begin shortly after authority is given. It has not been expressly articulated, but it stands to reason that they will interview the whole cert list and make selections for both classes without reinterviewing.

[Sue DoeNym]

I have heard differently.

They will look at the certs and decide who to interview. SSA is not obligated to interview you just because you were submitted for a position. They will then do investigations on those selected for interviews.

I heard from CALJ that they will be making calls before December 21. With all of the SSA folks on use or lose, they will want everything scheduled before they go out for the holidays. Then come back in January and start interviewing.

[jagghagg]

Where are the classes given ? How long do they take ?

[Pixie]

Usually given in the Falls Church area, but training for the last class was in Baltimore, with a bus ride each day. Not a good idea.

Normally classes take four weeks, but I believe I remember one class a few years back that had an extra week dedicated to medical training. Pix.

[kingfisher]

In 2005, the training was 4 weeks long and located in Dallas, Texas. Offers were made the first week in February. There were two classes set at that time, one in March and one in June. As a result, the new ALJs scheduled for the June class had the unique opportunity of 4 months advance notice to prepare for the relocation. The usual time frame is 2 or 3 weeks' notice.

[aljsouth]

pixie said:

Usually given in the Falls Church area, but training for the last class was in Baltimore, with a bus ride each day. Not a good idea.

Normally classes take four weeks, but I believe I remember one class a few years back that had an extra week dedicated to medical training. Pix.

We all heard about the bus ride. In 2001 we had 3 days in Baltimore and the bus ride was murder. Took forever. We can only hope SSA goes back to Falls Church/D.C. area. Probably won't, too logical.

On the bright side, the training was quite good for the most part. Judge Hight (sp?) from Denver was in charge and did a superb job. Staff from Falls Church carried out a very difficult task in 01 with a very large class on short notice. In some ways it is a false impression for new judges. Never again will the agency perfrom any task in such a competent manner.

[aljsouth]

kingfisher said:

In 2005, the training was 4 weeks long and located in Dallas, Texas. Offers were made the first week in February. There were two classes set at that time, one in March and one in June. As a result, the new ALJs scheduled for the June class had the unique opportunity of 4 months advance notice to prepare for the relocation. The usual time frame is 2 or 3 weeks' notice.

The last class of supplemental training was in Baltimore with an incredibly long bus ride to and from SSA headquarters. I had forgotten that Dallas was the site for intial training in 2005.

For the board, the initial training is usually 4 weeks long. Then, about 1 year later, the agency has given a one week supplemental training to those judges. After that NO training or continuing education by the agency.

[odarite]

aljsouth said:

On the bright side, the training was quite good for the most part. Judge Hight (sp?) from Denver was in charge and did a superb job.

Judge Michael Heitz is still in charge of the new ALJ training cadre.

[kingfisher]

peejay said:

I have heard both that the agency can't, and that it can, hire under a CR. With no budget in sight, I hope that's true. Does anyone have a definitive answer to whether they have to wait for a budget?

THE BAD NEWS: I have been informed by a source in Falls Church that they must have the budget before hiring. THE GOOD NEWS: Congress has just sent the Appropriations bill to the President.

"Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008: The House agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3043, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 274 yeas to 141 nays, Roll No. 1075--clearing the measure for the President." See www.congress.gov In the meantime, the mandatory ALJ transfers are being done, which clears the way for ALJ hiring.