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offers
Jun 4, 2013 16:04:59 GMT -5
Post by ladywordsmith on Jun 4, 2013 16:04:59 GMT -5
I was not around the last time there was a lawsuit regarding the hiring process. But I do know that the lawsuit delayed hiring for years. Do you, or anyone, know if they hired from those that were put through during the suit-inducing hiring process? What I am fishing for is: if the new hiring process is deemed a failure/illegal in any way/etc would those who made it through still be eligible to be hired? Just curious if I need to stop checking my email every day to see if I made it to the next round...I do understand everything is pure speculation at this point. Hello - a little information from the distant past: I was around when the Azell (I might have the spelling wrong) lawsuit happened. In fact, I had just gotten on the register & then it "froze" for about 7 years (for everyone except certain vets). It was a long time ago, so forgive me if I don't recall all the details. But, one of the things I do remember is that there was at least one small hiring during that 7 year period using people on the Register. SSA applied for and received an "exception" (I don't know if it was called that; but, it worked out to the same thing). SSA said it was in dire need of ALJs. As I recall, the application for exception was to the court and then SSA went to OPM for a cert and did a small hire. I distinctly recall that because one of the arguments against SSA being allowed to do that was then they would have no incentive to settle the lawsuit. As best I can recall, it only happened once. While past results are no promise for future earnings, I do believe that if everything gets tied up and/or frozen, there would still be a way for SSA to do a small hiring and/or hirings from the current/existing register. Lady W.
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cmet8
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Post by cmet8 on Jun 4, 2013 17:19:08 GMT -5
Thanks, Lady. That may also help those on the current cert. at least it is some hope.
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Deleted
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offers
Jun 4, 2013 17:28:01 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2013 17:28:01 GMT -5
The latest process using computer testing was a recipe for disaster. I have no doubt that there are lots of appeals. OPM has to make a choice: 1) Start over (not likely) 2) Make changes and adjustments based on appeals filed (this would violate what the job announcement says so also probably not a likely course of action) or 3) press forward and establish some type of register that will allow SSA and others to hire as many folks as possible as quickly as possible. Appeals and lawsuits may come in fast and furious and it may take a while before the register is in final form that is free from litigation but at least there has been one if not more large hirings. I do not know how much say SSA has with OPM but they need the judges and need more as time goes by and the current register cannot provide them with the numbers they need.
Hiring also requires a lot of coordination and cost (for training, relocation and other costs) so it has to be worth the number has to make it worth the money. Perhaps this is why the winds on offers shift from day to day. If not this FY perhaps next FY in early October when the money pot has been replenished.
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johnx
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Jun 4, 2013 17:59:50 GMT -5
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Post by johnx on Jun 4, 2013 17:59:50 GMT -5
The latest process using computer testing was a recipe for disaster. I have no doubt that there are lots of appeals. OPM has to make a choice: 1) Start over (not likely) 2) Make changes and adjustments based on appeals filed (this would violate what the job announcement says so also probably not a likely course of action) or 3) press forward and establish some type of register that will allow SSA and others to hire as many folks as possible as quickly as possible. Appeals and lawsuits may come in fast and furious and it may take a while before the register is in final form that is free from litigation but at least there has been one if not more large hirings. I do not know how much say SSA has with OPM but they need the judges and need more as time goes by and the current register cannot provide them with the numbers they need. Could be a disaster. On the other hand, might not be as bad as thought. For instance, i know someone who appealed that put "see resume" in the experience block on the initial application. There may have been a lot of people that just didn't put the effort into it. Hiring also requires a lot of coordination and cost (for training, relocation and other costs) so it has to be worth the number has to make it worth the money. Perhaps this is why the winds on offers shift from day to day. If not this FY perhaps next FY in early October when the money pot has been replenished.
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johnx
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Jun 4, 2013 18:05:41 GMT -5
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Post by johnx on Jun 4, 2013 18:05:41 GMT -5
Sorry, android doesnt work well on this board. My reply was buried in the previous quote.
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offers
Jun 4, 2013 18:08:23 GMT -5
Post by ALJ Someday Maybe on Jun 4, 2013 18:08:23 GMT -5
The email I got on March 29, 2013, from Claire Evans, HQ, DCHR, said:
If selected, you must be prepared to first report to your duty station for Phase I of your ALJ Orientation in July. During this time, you will meet and begin to work with a mentor ALJ. Phase II involves classroom training in Falls Church, Virginia. You will then report back to your duty station at the conclusion of Phase II for Phase III of your orientation. During Phase III, you will begin to hold hearings and continue to work with your mentor. If you have any questions, you may contact Bob Gehlken on (703) 605-8448 or at bob.gehlken@ssa.gov.
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offers
Jun 4, 2013 20:08:48 GMT -5
Post by 71stretch on Jun 4, 2013 20:08:48 GMT -5
The email I got on March 29, 2013, from Claire Evans, HQ, DCHR, said: If selected, you must be prepared to first report to your duty station for Phase I of your ALJ Orientation in July. During this time, you will meet and begin to work with a mentor ALJ. Phase II involves classroom training in Falls Church, Virginia. You will then report back to your duty station at the conclusion of Phase II for Phase III of your orientation. During Phase III, you will begin to hold hearings and continue to work with your mentor. If you have any questions, you may contact Bob Gehlken on (703) 605-8448 or at bob.gehlken@ssa.gov. Well, that was the original plan, evidently, but they aren't bound by that... I suppose, "if you have questions", you could call Bob G, and see if he can give you any info about what the plan is.
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offers
Jun 5, 2013 7:28:58 GMT -5
Post by MerelyForTheAsking on Jun 5, 2013 7:28:58 GMT -5
Personally, I find much of this rampant speculation to be hysterical because of the completely backwards logic being used here. There must always be a register, so those currently on the register are in a much better osition than those on the proposed "new register" (of course there will be much overlap, making the new process all the more absurd). Moreover, if there is trouble finding funding for ALJs now, the task will be all the more difficult, if not impossible, next FY. That's because sequestration, by design, "ratchets down" every agency's budget year-over-year for the foreseeable future, freezing funding at 2008 levels (or whatever arbitrary year was used in the final bill). As time goes on, finding funding for any project -- even existing operations -- will become ever increasingly difficult. If an agency can't do something in FY 2013, it's almost guaranteed they won't be able to in FY 2014. Thus, those on the current register are far better off than those hoping to get on the new ATTEMPTED register.
Again, there must always be a register in place, by law, but there need not be a new one ever. I think this new process is a "shambles" as others have mentioned, and very ill-conceived. In any event, good luck to those on the current register, all of whom are already at the point where new applicants hope to be at some point. I think the focus of all, especially Federal agencies looking to hire ALJs, should be on the current register, which is full of well-qualified applicants who have waited years to be hired (and who will comprise a large portion of any new register). Stop wasting precious resources playing games with an unnecessary "new register" and hire the people who have invested so much time and energy (not to mention the government's investment in the process) in applying for an elusive position as an ALJ!!
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cmet8
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Post by cmet8 on Jun 5, 2013 7:43:59 GMT -5
Well said, Merelyfortheasking.
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Jun 5, 2013 8:16:35 GMT -5
Post by Ready-Now! on Jun 5, 2013 8:16:35 GMT -5
Stop wasting precious resources playing games with an unnecessary "new register" and hire the people who have invested so much time and energy (not to mention the government's investment in the process) in applying for an elusive position as an ALJ!! So I guess it is safe to say you are on the "old" register? Well said devildog
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offers
Jun 5, 2013 8:20:07 GMT -5
Post by bartleby on Jun 5, 2013 8:20:07 GMT -5
Heard from another conference yesterday that the money that had been set aside for the small Cert has been realigned to be used for field offices and operations..
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Jun 5, 2013 8:38:34 GMT -5
Post by booney58 on Jun 5, 2013 8:38:34 GMT -5
"Again, there must always be a register in place, by law, but there need not be a new one ever. I think this new process is a "shambles" as others have mentioned, and very ill-conceived. In any event, good luck to those on the current register, all of whom are already at the point where new applicants hope to be at some point. I think the focus of all, especially Federal agencies looking to hire ALJs, should be on the current register, which is full of well-qualified applicants who have waited years to be hired (and who will comprise a large portion of any new register). Stop wasting precious resources playing games with an unnecessary "new register" and hire the people who have invested so much time and energy (not to mention the government's investment in the process) in applying for an elusive position as an ALJ!![/quote]"
Um, excuse me, but those of us who are attempting to get on this "new" register that you sneer at would disagree with you. Does the phrase "sour grapes" come to mind? I understand that you are frustrated and upset because your number wasn't called, so to speak, but geez. Do you really truly think that only those of you who are on the "old" register are qualified to be ALJs? That's pretty arrogant. Obviously the new system of selection has issues (to put it mildly); I don't think a "perfect" system exists. Yet, apparently, OPM & other agencies were not satisfied with either the number of folks on the old registry, or their qualifications. Which one is it? I don't know. But the fact is the powers that be decided to start the process again, so put on your big girl (or big boy) panties and deal with it.
Let me remind you that those of us who are attempting to get on the "new" register have worked just as hard as you, have already invested considerable time, energy, and angst, and deserve the consideration of every federal agency just as much as you folks on the old one. I wish EVERYBODY luck--no matter what goofy registry you happen to be on, or end up on.
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Deleted
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Jun 5, 2013 8:44:14 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2013 8:44:14 GMT -5
Personally, I find much of this rampant speculation to be hysterical because of the completely backwards logic being used here. There must always be a register, so those currently on the register are in a much better osition than those on the proposed "new register" (of course there will be much overlap, making the new process all the more absurd). Moreover, if there is trouble finding funding for ALJs now, the task will be all the more difficult, if not impossible, next FY. That's because sequestration, by design, "ratchets down" every agency's budget year-over-year for the foreseeable future, freezing funding at 2008 levels (or whatever arbitrary year was used in the final bill). As time goes on, finding funding for any project -- even existing operations -- will become ever increasingly difficult. If an agency can't do something in FY 2013, it's almost guaranteed they won't be able to in FY 2014. Thus, those on the current register are far better off than those hoping to get on the new ATTEMPTED register. Again, there must always be a register in place, by law, but there need not be a new one ever. I think this new process is a "shambles" as others have mentioned, and very ill-conceived. In any event, good luck to those on the current register, all of whom are already at the point where new applicants hope to be at some point. I think the focus of all, especially Federal agencies looking to hire ALJs, should be on the current register, which is full of well-qualified applicants who have waited years to be hired (and who will comprise a large portion of any new register). Stop wasting precious resources playing games with an unnecessary "new register" and hire the people who have invested so much time and energy (not to mention the government's investment in the process) in applying for an elusive position as an ALJ!! You find the Rampart Speculation hysterical but then go on to add to the rampart speculation.
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offers
Jun 5, 2013 8:49:13 GMT -5
Post by 71stretch on Jun 5, 2013 8:49:13 GMT -5
How did you manage to make what booney58 said part of the quoted post of merelyfortheasking?
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offers
Jun 5, 2013 8:52:28 GMT -5
Post by booney58 on Jun 5, 2013 8:52:28 GMT -5
Observer, there may be a hiccup in the quote feature. When I attempted to quote just some of what "merely" had posted, it did not place the quote into a separate box as it usually does. Of course, could be operator error on my part--very possible!
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Jun 5, 2013 11:14:50 GMT -5
Post by 71stretch on Jun 5, 2013 11:14:50 GMT -5
So...to the more experienced among us, particularly bartleby and observer, I have a question: Do you believe that OPM will continue with the current application process, or do you believe it is likely to be abandoned? What is the scuttlebutt on that issue? EDIT: To clarify I am referring to the 2013 application process. This is not a subject for this thread, actually. It gets really hard to keep track of where info is on this board because threads go all over the place. As an outsider, I would not have any scuttlebutt anyway, but I don't want to get into the discussion of the app process in an "offers" thread.
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Jun 5, 2013 11:19:15 GMT -5
Post by chinook on Jun 5, 2013 11:19:15 GMT -5
It is called SEQUESTRATION. Every government agency (with one or two exceptions) has taken a hit in their budget. How the powers to be decide to allocate their funds determines which sub agency gets the money. At some non-SSA agencies ALJs are getting furlough days off. If fact, not hiring now and letting the backlog increase could get them more money in the future when there is a loud enough scream about the backlog.
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Jun 5, 2013 18:46:35 GMT -5
Post by hal3000 on Jun 5, 2013 18:46:35 GMT -5
So what happens now? Does this cert we are on expire? Does it linger and can it result in hiring at a later date?
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Deleted
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Jun 5, 2013 18:52:10 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2013 18:52:10 GMT -5
Certs are only good for ninety days. Based on the date of the e-mail notifying folks of the cert, the agency has until approximately June 27th to hire or not.
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offers
Jun 5, 2013 19:12:54 GMT -5
Post by bartleby on Jun 5, 2013 19:12:54 GMT -5
Certs can be extended.
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