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Post by valkyrie on Jul 17, 2013 14:43:39 GMT -5
If I were back in the mix, (and also forgetting Valkyrie's important Reality Checks by being concerned about where I was going to be an ALJ rather than if), here is where I would focus any efforts for myself and my family; I would really want to have a clear idea of the ALJ situation in my hometown ODAR office, and the offices around my hometown office. When I say near, I mean is this an office I can see myself realistically commuting to on a daily basis, or possibly weekly basis? How much do you like driving, or can you afford an apartment in one of those nearby locations?
When I talk about "the ALJ situation," I mean you should want to know what is the full ALJ complement for each office, such as a 15 ALJ office. You then need to find out how many ALJs that office actually has, such as the 15 ALJ office currently has 12 ALJs because of transfers/retirements. Then you need to look at the all-important Transfer List to get an idea of the popularity of your offices and do the math. Lastly, you need to get some insider knowledge of the current ALJs in the offices. You can also use the transfer list for this purpose, in that your office currently has 15 out of 15 ALJs, but 5 of those ALJs are on the transfer list to go elsewhere, and rumor is that four of them really want out, but one of those wants to go to a Florida office where she is 17th on the transfer list, and the fifth is dreaming because his wife is happy where she is. How many ALJs in the office are near retirement? How many of those are actually planning to retire? There is no shortage of ALJs that have very loudly declared that the only way they are leaving the bench is in a bodybag. While helpful, I would not recommend trying to get ALJ medical records...
Unless you take the risk of narrowing your GAL, you won't be guaranteed that you will go to any of these offices you have researched, but you will get some idea if you have any chance at all of getting to one of them as your first office, or transfering to one later. By researching the offices you may find out additional pertient information, like chronic problems at the office or worse, (I can't imagine what it would have been like to get hired into the Huntington WV office after their scandal).
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Post by decadealj on Jul 17, 2013 14:53:26 GMT -5
This topic has been discussed ad nauseum in the past but valkyrie offers some darn good advice. However the answer is that if you are not willing to go there don't put it down. With the current budget situation, things aren't going to get better and you need to be happy where you have indicated you will go. DO NOT PLAN ON GOING SOMEWHERE WITH THE EXPECTATION YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TRANSFER HOME IN THE NEAR FUTURE!
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Post by sealaw90 on Jul 17, 2013 15:07:06 GMT -5
Valkyrie, First off, I want to thank you for this simple advice. As an outsider, it is somewhat difficult to get all of the information that an insider can obtain with only a small amount of effort.
That is why when anyone on this board has worked in a particular region or office and can shed some light on whether it would be a good or realistic or hideous place to work, we really appreciate it. I get that we want to remain relatively anonymous on the Board, so for the retired ALJs who might be on this board, or for ALJs who have past experience in a particular region or office who don't mind sharing, it really means a lot to the rest of us. AAs and SAAs insight is also good!
With that said, I have looked at the stats for the few offices I am interested. I noticed that in the past year at one office one ALJ retired and was replaced by a transfer, but I have no idea about the other offices. Any insight on MD, VA, NC and SC offices would be most appreciated. I assume these are popular places, but it is considered the rural south by some so maybe it is just a part of Crapland, USA - I'll take it just the same though!
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 17, 2013 16:09:29 GMT -5
My plan is pretty simple. If offered a gig, take it. My GAL was "all of the above". I have young kids but my upbringing as an army brat makes me see moving them as an endeavor with more up than down.
I love the office I'min now and best case would be to stay. It's not a popular locale for transfers, we've only had one transfer into the office in 4 years and we were his third choice he only took after waiting for his first two for years. On top of that, there are 4 other offices that would put us closer to family and friends we would move to without regret. None of those arein high demand locales either.
Best case is I get one of those 5. If not, the planis for me to go and seek a transfer asap. We figure to giveit a year. During that time we will take steps for the fam to join me there as a precaution. Wife puts the house up, starts looking for a job, let the kids have ayear to say goodbyes and get accustomed to the move. Meanwhile I scout schools and homes. Won't be much different than the years I spent trying cases in multiple states and putting in 80 hour weeks.
If we get the transfer wonderful. If not, we call the new place home.
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Post by Buffalogal on Jul 17, 2013 17:26:45 GMT -5
I'm happy to move wherever I'm needed. But my situation is simple. My husband is retired and willing to move.
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Post by deltajudge on Jul 17, 2013 19:14:23 GMT -5
8-)Back when I got on the register, OHA made a selection off the register and sent out offers those selected based on locations listed (your GAL now). None of the locations fit my geographical preference, so I selected 10, and rated them as to my preference. I got number 3, which was an ideal location, but some distance from where I was located at the time. So I went off to training, went to my first duty station, and as I was settling in, buying a home, and preparing to move my family, an opportunity to transfer came up. Back then, there were no union or transfer lists. OHA would periodically put out lists of offices that were understaffed and overstaffed, and offer transfer accordingly. Due to territorial shifts, my office was over staffed and one of the offices that would have been number one on my list, was listed as understaffed, but not included on my offer list was right there. Put in for it and got it. So as decade said, go for broke, you never know how the breaks will come.
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Post by Gaidin on Jul 17, 2013 21:22:22 GMT -5
In terms of a GAL does it matter whether a location is a satellite office?
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 17, 2013 22:15:32 GMT -5
If I am lucky enough to eventually get an offer....I am taking it and staying put no matter where it is. No transfer plans for me since all I have to worry about is my dog pack (and they don't care). LOL! In fact, I already have a contingency plan for my dogs until all the moving and long training is complete. Trying to be optimistic, but I am a realist too. Reading about so many dashed hopes and dreams on this board keeps me grounded. It may not happen, and if not, I still have a great job at ODAR. Here is hoping that all of you who have constraints on locations get exactly what you need! Cherish the time you have with your kiddos, they sure grow up fast! Good luck to all!
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Post by Buffalogal on Jul 18, 2013 5:48:44 GMT -5
I'm with you Sr Atty! We would be moving and staying. Our kids have their own lives now.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 18, 2013 6:30:06 GMT -5
If I am lucky enough to eventually get an offer....I am taking it and staying put no matter where it is. No transfer plans for me since all I have to worry about is my dog pack (and they don't care). LOL! In fact, I already have a contingency plan for my dogs until all the moving and long training is complete. Trying to be optimistic, but I am a realist too. Reading about so many dashed hopes and dreams on this board keeps me grounded. It may not happen, and if not, I still have a great job at ODAR. Here is hoping that all of you who have constraints on locations get exactly what you need! Cherish the time you have with your kiddos, they sure grow up fast! Good luck to all! I would not say "I am staying put no matter where it is" because you may be placed in an ODAR office you dread or eventually hate and may want to transfer out. However, I do know what you mean about not caring so much where it is located. I must tell you I did speak to your dogs and they all stated they wanted to be near an area with a few dog parks or a big field where they could run and play. I think you might have to take that into consideration my friend. LOL!
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 18, 2013 7:53:30 GMT -5
Ha! You must have only talked to the German Shepherd. LOL! But I actually do believe I can be happy in any office. I worked in county run hospitals in emergency depts as an RN and I compare every job to that experience. I was able to tolerate crazy, bipolar, drug induced psychosis, drunk, violent, bleeding, sick, and dying people....a micro managing ODAR somewhere is small town USA will be a cake walk. It's the Wizard of Oz theory for me, happiness is where you make it/ perspective / glass half full theory. Whatever you want to call it, I think people are generally happy or not.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 18, 2013 8:08:13 GMT -5
Ha! You must have only talked to the German Shepherd. LOL! But I actually do believe I can be happy in any office. I worked in county run hospitals in emergency depts as an RN and I compare every job to that experience. I was able to tolerate crazy, bipolar, drug induced psychosis, drunk, violent, bleeding, sick, and dying people....a micro managing ODAR somewhere is small town USA will be a cake walk. It's the Wizard of Oz theory for me, happiness is where you make it/ perspective / glass half full theory. Whatever you want to call it, I think people are generally happy or not. Well said sratty!
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 18, 2013 11:04:27 GMT -5
Ha! You must have only talked to the German Shepherd. LOL! But I actually do believe I can be happy in any office. I worked in county run hospitals in emergency depts as an RN and I compare every job to that experience. I was able to tolerate crazy, bipolar, drug induced psychosis, drunk, violent, bleeding, sick, and dying people....a micro managing ODAR somewhere is small town USA will be a cake walk. It's the Wizard of Oz theory for me, happiness is where you make it/ perspective / glass half full theory. Whatever you want to call it, I think people are generally happy or not. Well said sratty! Sratty--that made me laugh!!! I've had some doozies too. Well here is hoping we all meet up in DC and have a chance to have dinner and spin some tall tales! LOL! I think I can dig up a bizarre story or two.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 18, 2013 11:11:57 GMT -5
Yeah--that would be really fun if my AR really means I'm going to step 3. You all sound like intelligent overly analytical interesting types. Hang in there....so far the AR for the vast majority has been a good thing. I hope that your good email was simply an accidental deletion of the spam.
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Post by decadealj on Jul 18, 2013 11:57:01 GMT -5
sealaw90- I have been retired for almost three years now but based on conversations with my former ALJs, things haven't changed much in Region 4. The RCJ has delegated all authority to management and that leads to micromanagement, subpoenas are not enforced, and all the non-attorney managers guard their rice bowls to justify their existence. I can't speak for other regions and alot depends on the HOCALJ. Nobody messed with Dave Hatfield but if you read his testimony (available in a prior thread), even this paragon of ODAR was frustrated in the end. I do know of other regions that were far more supportive of ALJs in the trenches but I will leave it to others to post from experience in other regions.
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Post by lildavey on Jul 25, 2013 14:50:31 GMT -5
My plan is pretty simple. If offered a gig, take it. My GAL was "all of the above". I have young kids but my upbringing as an army brat makes me see moving them as an endeavor with more up than down. I love the office I'min now and best case would be to stay. It's not a popular locale for transfers, we've only had one transfer into the office in 4 years and we were his third choice he only took after waiting for his first two for years. On top of that, there are 4 other offices that would put us closer to family and friends we would move to without regret. None of those arein high demand locales either. Best case is I get one of those 5. If not, the planis for me to go and seek a transfer asap. We figure to giveit a year. During that time we will take steps for the fam to join me there as a precaution. Wife puts the house up, starts looking for a job, let the kids have ayear to say goodbyes and get accustomed to the move. Meanwhile I scout schools and homes. Won't be much different than the years I spent trying cases in multiple states and putting in 80 hour weeks. If we get the transfer wonderful. If not, we call the new place home. I didn't exactly answer all of the above, but I hear what you are saying. I listed 98 cities -- including Paducah, Kentucky. (I have family in Southern Illinois.)
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Post by goldenticket on Jul 25, 2013 16:36:08 GMT -5
sratty--I had to laugh outloud at the county hospital scenario. I do not have that kind of experience, but I have a sister who does. Anyway, I think you are right about people either being happy or not. I am also a glass full kinda gal. I probably won't get to meet you in DC, as my best chance is on the current cert and those offerees are probably going to training this October. But, best of luck to you --and me too. Hopefully we will meet down the road.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 25, 2013 22:12:43 GMT -5
sratty--I had to laugh outloud at the county hospital scenario. I do not have that kind of experience, but I have a sister who does. Anyway, I think you are right about people either being happy or not. I am also a glass full kinda gal. I probably won't get to meet you in DC, as my best chance is on the current cert and those offerees are probably going to training this October. But, best of luck to you --and me too. Hopefully we will meet down the road. Agree! Best of luck to you! I sure hope you get in on this cert, hey October is just around the corner!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 14:48:52 GMT -5
If I were back in the mix, (and also forgetting Valkyrie's important Reality Checks by being concerned about where I was going to be an ALJ rather than if), here is where I would focus any efforts for myself and my family; I would really want to have a clear idea of the ALJ situation in my hometown ODAR office, and the offices around my hometown office. When I say near, I mean is this an office I can see myself realistically commuting to on a daily basis, or possibly weekly basis? How much do you like driving, or can you afford an apartment in one of those nearby locations? When I talk about "the ALJ situation," I mean you should want to know what is the full ALJ complement for each office, such as a 15 ALJ office. You then need to find out how many ALJs that office actually has, such as the 15 ALJ office currently has 12 ALJs because of transfers/retirements. Then you need to look at the all-important Transfer List to get an idea of the popularity of your offices and do the math. Lastly, you need to get some insider knowledge of the current ALJs in the offices. You can also use the transfer list for this purpose, in that your office currently has 15 out of 15 ALJs, but 5 of those ALJs are on the transfer list to go elsewhere, and rumor is that four of them really want out, but one of those wants to go to a Florida office where she is 17th on the transfer list, and the fifth is dreaming because his wife is happy where she is. How many ALJs in the office are near retirement? How many of those are actually planning to retire? There is no shortage of ALJs that have very loudly declared that the only way they are leaving the bench is in a bodybag. While helpful, I would not recommend trying to get ALJ medical records... Unless you take the risk of narrowing your GAL, you won't be guaranteed that you will go to any of these offices you have researched, but you will get some idea if you have any chance at all of getting to one of them as your first office, or transfering to one later. By researching the offices you may find out additional pertient information, like chronic problems at the office or worse, (I can't imagine what it would have been like to get hired into the Huntington WV office after their scandal).
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 14:54:27 GMT -5
Sorry, hit send button prematurely. Meant to ask whether anybody could shed light on what the ALJ situation is in Miami and Fort Lauderdale ODAR offices.
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