|
Post by Propmaster on Nov 1, 2007 14:38:46 GMT -5
Without having reread all of these threads and taken notes, my impression is becoming that SSA employees generally got low scores. I am primarily basing this on the fact that I have talked to people in four offices (three ODARs and an OGC office) and none of them feel like they did or know anyone who they think did well. Now, they have not been forthcoming with their exact scores to me, so for all i know they are depressed about 75's because they haven't looked at a resource like this board - but from what i can tell, they seem to be 50's and low 60's.
Does this seem like a trend to anyone else?
What does it mean, if so? I assume it means that OPM valued not at all a familiarity with administrative law (or SS law in particular). This would help explain my low score. (I hope).
It might also mean that staff attorney/appellate type work was not what they were/are looking for. However, I think i recall individuals with actual judging experience having mixed results (some high, some middling).
|
|
tejas
New Member
Posts: 7
|
Post by tejas on Nov 1, 2007 14:57:26 GMT -5
I am seeing that trend as well. The ODAR and OGC'ers I know received scores in the 50s and 60s. I guess if I want the ALJ position I will need DOJ and/or private litigation experience. I think I'm too late for JAG. Does anybody know if a GS14 can maintain their pay level at JAG or does one start at the bottom? I can't afford a 50K pay cut to be a Lt./Cap.
|
|
|
Post by deadwood on Nov 1, 2007 14:58:11 GMT -5
I mentioned this in another post, but I've spoken with 24 applicants.
Three applicants are from the private bar; all three scored below 60.
The other applicants were from SSA; 13 of which scored below 70. The others fall in the 70 to 79 range.
|
|
|
Post by workdrone on Nov 1, 2007 15:31:17 GMT -5
I think I'm too late for JAG. Does anybody know if a GS14 can maintain their pay level at JAG or does one start at the bottom? I can't afford a 50K pay cut to be a Lt./Cap. No, GS-14 does not maintain there pay level in JAG. Different track system, and you start from the bottom (1st LT/O-2). If you really want to, my best suggestion is to join the Army JAG Corps as a reservist (they will accept up to age 35, older if you can get a age waiver). I say Army because they are the only branch I know of that accepts attorneys into their JAG Reserve without any prior active duty JAG experience. After you're accepted, then volunteer for a recall to active duty for a term somewhere (lots of 6 months to 1-year+ term assignments in Iraq and Afganistan, but stateside as a backfill is not necessarily out of question). When you get deactivated from active duty in a year or so, you'll get a DD-214 that shows you have been serving during a time of war and you'll be eligible for 5-point preference. If you get a Purple Heart or suffered a service connected disability during your active duty service, you'll be eligible for 10-point preference. However, reservists don't qualify for veteran's preferences unless they have active duty service, so merely being a reservist is insufficient unless you have active duty time and the DD-214 to show for it (which you will get when you're deactivated from your active duty tour discussed above). As for promotion, you'll be comissioned as a 1st LT in the Army and promoted to CAPT after a year I believe. You'll get 15 days of military time off from the Federal Gov't a year, but it won't be sufficient to cover the extended recall period on active duty if you take the 6 months/1-year order. So if you want that VP, the pay cut is inevitable while you're on active duty. However, your job should still be there waiting for you to come back when your tour is done. In all seriousness, this is the wrong reason to join the military. The costs military service imposes on you and your family during a time of war far exceeds any preference in a federal exam. Most people I know serving during this time and are ok with the sacrifices they are making are doing it out of a sense of duty and loyalty to their peers and country. The ones doing it for other reasons are usually the most unhappy bunch. So you're better off just doing your GS-14 job if the only reason you want to join is to boost your chance of becoming an ALJ someday, because you'll probably end up regreting it once you're in Iraq or Afganistan. /R Drone
|
|
|
Post by justalawyer on Nov 1, 2007 16:33:46 GMT -5
Do not join the military just to help get an ALJ position. I have 5 years active duty JAG experience: litigation of criminal jury trials and administrative discharge proceedings; claims adjudication authority; managed a legal office with staff of 8 for 2 years; etc. 10 point vet. 6 years of private practice litigation experience as a certified specialist handling a full litigation caseload. 1 year at ODAR. Everyone said I was a "sure thing" to make ALJ. My final rating = under 60, and I was convinced I had aced both the AR and WD. My analysis is that we just do not know why we scored the way we did, but I am not an ODAR = low score conspiracy theorist. I just got a low score for some reason, and life goes on. Joining the military is not the answer unless you want to serve your country and get the unique experience of being a military attorney. Don't do it hoping it MIGHT help you become an ALJ. "hopeful" is on track. JAG officers in my office did not even make it to the WD and SI. So JAG on the resume is NOT a ticket in.
|
|
tejas
New Member
Posts: 7
|
Post by tejas on Nov 1, 2007 16:48:50 GMT -5
Thanks for all the valuable input and words of wisdom. It really does help to keep one's perspective concerning this ALJ process. It's like following a conclave to elect the pope and wondering what goes on behind closed doors. I'll just wait for the smoke like everybody else.
|
|
|
Post by nochance on Nov 1, 2007 20:33:49 GMT -5
Perhaps, you might want to consider a FOIA request first.
|
|
|
Post by nochance on Nov 1, 2007 20:43:10 GMT -5
What does it mean, if so? I assume it means that OPM valued not at all a familiarity with administrative law (or SS law in particular). This would help explain my low score. (I hope). I think OPM is indifferent to knowledge of SSA law (as opposed to knowledge of any other substantive area over which agencies exercise jurisdiction). Although SSA is the largest customer for folks off the register, the register is not intended to be agency specific.
|
|