FEAI "Houston" vs. Region 6 Houston Bellaire & ...

[Litigator]

The Friday, November 30, 2007 FEAI lists "Houston, TX." But the ODAR Region 6 list put out by SSA lists: "Houston Bellaire, TX" and "Houston (Downtown), TX."

The list of locations in the ALJ job announcement included: "Houston, TX;" "Houston Bellaire, TX;" and "Houston Downtown, TX." I suspect that "Houston, TX" within the ALJ job announcement refers to a hearing office for an federal government agency or department other than SSA.

Anyone have an idea which of SSA's two Region 6 offices in Houston that OPM meant to refer to in the FEAI? Is it possible that OPM meant to refer to both Houston Bellaire, TX and Houston (Downtown), TX, respectively? Or did OPM mean to refer to only one or the other?

For those not familiar with the City of Houston, it is one of the nation's largest. There are absolutely no urban zoning regulations and the sprawl is immense. Getting into and then out of downtown is a pain given the lengthy commute from the various, desirable residential neighborhoods. They say the average commute in Atlanta is bad ... they should try some of the commutes in Houston.

[kingfisher]

litigator,

For what its worth, on one occasion, SSA has used "Houston" to mean the Houston Bissonnet office. However, it may also mean that there will be judges placed in both Houston Downtown and Houston Bissonnet. Both locations have at least one vacant ALJ office at this time.

As for the commute, you are correct. It is horrible. Interstates 10 and 45 can both turn into parking lots. Of course this is only really bad when there is ongoing construction. Did I mention that there is always construction? {smile}

Regarding the commute into downtown, many people who work downtown go to an outlying park and ride and catch an Express Bus into the downtown area. This is one way to get around the lack of parking issue and the frustration of a commute. Just sit back and read the paper during the drive.

Good luck!

[aljsouth]

kingfisher said:

litigator,

For what its worth, on one occasion, SSA has used "Houston" to mean the Houston Bissonnet office. However, it may also mean that there will be judges placed in both Houston Downtown and Houston Bissonnet. Both locations have at least one vacant ALJ office at this time.

As for the commute, you are correct. It is horrible. Interstates 10 and 45 can both turn into parking lots. Of course this is only really bad when there is ongoing construction. Did I mention that there is always construction? {smile}

Regarding the commute into downtown, many people who work downtown go to an outlying park and ride and catch an Express Bus into the downtown area. This is one way to get around the lack of parking issue and the frustration of a commute. Just sit back and read the paper during the drive.

Good luck!

Both Houston sites have a judge on the transfer list wanting to transfer into that Houston site. I am fairly certain no judge has been offered a transfer. to either Houston site.

You would think SSA would have made all transfer offers before calling for a certificate, but this has not happened. I honestly don't know what affect this will have. In 2001 the agency ignored the transfer list and a grievance was filed and the agency was made to allow all transfers as if they had been offered. Some declined but a significant number ended up in sites with "new" judges about a year or so after the 2001 hire.