Question for those interviewed

[oldtimer]

While everything that Pixie wrote in the previous message is correct, there IS one alternative, especially if you have previous management experience, inside or outside ODAR: become a HOCALJ [Hearing Office Chief ALJ]. There seems to be a vacancy announcement for one office or another every week, so if you wind up somewhere far from your desired location and don't think you can stand it for however long it takes for your name to pop-up at the top of the transfer list when an opening finally arises, you may find there's a HOCALJ vacancy in your desired office (I think that ODAR will consider any ALJ with at least six months' experience, especially if he or she has previous ODAR management experience). Of course, you do then have to serve as HOCALJ ('nuff said).

[hooligan]

While the responses from Pixie and Oldtimer are helpful, the problem is WAY more complex. All sites are not equal in the ability to move to.

The extreme example is Hawaii. There is one judge. He is the HOCALJ. The transfer list is never going to find an opening. The HOCALJ is not likely to step down because there is no non-chief slot. Death or retirement will bring competition and you can count on political connections playing a huge role. Management controls this slot and uses it as a reward.

There are other offices where the sitting Chief makes his office a career. Those offices rarely turn over the slot. If you expect to get there by applying to be Chief, you are in for a long wait.

There are offices that no one wants. Openings show up in those slots on a regular basis. It has been tough for the Agency to find a Chief for places like Buffalo (although they just did recently). Places like Washington DC have had people on the waiting list to go there since the transfer list was created.

Like anything else, the devil is in the details. If you want some places, you will need to get in line and wait, perhaps indefinetly. Other places will be easy targets.

Also remember that the status of the transfer list is very misleading. Many on the list are using it for holding open their options. When the time comes to accept or decline, there are a high percentage of declinations. Additionally, management does not like the transfer list. If a judge at the top of the list in one location is viewed as undesireable by the office he would go to, they move mountains to avoid an opening there. No one is going to admit to this practice, but you can count on it.

[julie]

[Julie, were they saying that if you wanted to go to your home state, you might have to take any offer now, and then transfer later?
C95[/quote]

C95: I presume so. I did not ask if I could be posted to my home state. I simply expressed delight when one of the Judges advised me that he worked in my home state. I think the Judge wanted to clarify that his presence at my interview did not mean that I was interviewing for a post in our mutual home state, and that I should expect to be offered a position elsewhere (if an offer was made).

[nonamouse]

I interviewed with 2 RCALJs. I did not have any offices selected in either region. They were both encouraging and positive, but I won't be seeing them again anytime soon.

[biker]

I have no expectations of getting an offer in my home state-even though there is an opening. When I completed the application I asked my wife to sit down and look at the list with me; we determined which cities we could tolerate with the expectation that we might have to live there for a good long time if I were lucky enough to get an offer. It may have reduced my chances of getting an offer but at least I feel comfortable with my preferences ( and my wife can't put all the blame on me!!) Heck, it's time for a new adventure anyway; I hope my wife really feels the same way. But just in case I'm saving up a retainer for a good divorce attorney.

[Pixie]

Biker, as long as your wife is with you, you will be keeping house and home together. You will be ok. It's when the house and home get split that the problems start. Pix.

[tdtksbp]

The two ALJs who conducted my interview were from California and Texas. I had listed all 71 locations, but would love either of those, or any other for that matter, if an offer is made.

[odarite]

I can't agree with Pix's point about only accepting the offer if you are willing to stay 10 years if need be. I have seen too often the drain on morale, productivity, and just plain office tone when people are where they do not want to be. Have a mercy on your future colleagues, if not on your self. Go with the idea you will be happy, or don't go at all.

[conanthebarbarian]

Hooligan: Is there a link available to track HOCALJ openings? Thanks. CTB

[odarite]

No, not even for those inside the agency firewall.

[judicature]

Just curious odarite - how do folks learn of HOCALJ openings then?

[odarite]

An email announcement goes out to all ALJs in the global address book.

[conanthebarbarian]

odarite: Thanks. CTB

[hooligan]

conanthebarbarian said:

Hooligan: Is there a link available to track HOCALJ openings? Thanks. CTB

I apologize that I did not see your post earlier and respond.

The previous answer is correct. ALJs are notified by an internal email distribution of any HOCALJ openings. Typically the notice is open for two weeks. I do not believe they are posted on USA JOBS, but I never bothered to confirm that assumption.

For the last few years, I have kept an informal list of which cities were open. It is really hard to track what happens after that because we rarely are told who is selected or when. If you would like, when I am in the office again I will post my notes about which offices had announcements over the last few years. I am pretty thorough, but I may have missed some.

[conanthebarbarian]

hooligan: Thanks! CTB

[hooligan]

Feb 6, 2008 21:19:48 GMT -5 conanthebarbarian said:

hooligan: Thanks! CTB

This is my list of HOCALJ announcements 2006-2008

2008
1/4 Mayaguez, PR
1/14 Portland, OR
1/18 Detroit, MI
1/30 Cleveland, OH
2/4 Albuqueque, NM

2007 HOCALJ announcements
1/25 Buffalo, NY
1/25 Roanoke, VA (cancelled)
2/2 Dallas North
3/5 Long Beach, CA
3/5 Fresno, CA
3/5 Mobile, AL
3/8 Middlesboro, KY
3/9 RALJ NY, NY
3/26 StLouis, MO
3/26 Greenville, SC
4/19 Buffalo, NY
6/25 New Haven, CT
6/28 Maysguez, Puerto Rico
8/2 Buffalo, NY
8/29 Indianapolis, IN
8/29 Columbus, OH
9/11 Charleston, SC
9/14 Norfolk, VA
9/14 Ft. Lauderdale, FL
9/27 Denver Regional Chief
10/2 Buffalo, NY
10/2 Jerico, NY
10/4 Hartford, CT
10/5 Natl Hearing Office
10/19 Charleston, SC reaanouncement
10/25 Detroit, MI

2006 HOCALJ Announcements
1/5 Boston, MA
1/20 NY Regional Chief
2/6 Morgantown, WV
2/7 Nashville, TN
2/28 Syracuse, NY
2/28 Paducah, KY
3/3 Baltimore, MD
3/21 San Rafael, CA
3/23 Paducah, KY reannouncement
3/28 Seven Fields, PA
5/17 Shreivport, LA
5/30 Hartford, Conn(cancelled)
5/30 FtWayne, IN
6/12 Kansas City, KS
6/23 RCALJ New York Reposting.
7/5 Oakland, CA
7/13 Bronx, NY
7/17 Raleigh, NC
7/24 Colorado Springs, CO
7/26 National OCALJ
7/26 Columbia, SC
7/27 Metairie, LA
7/27 McAllister, OK
8/5 Oklahoma City, OK
8/7 Long Beach, CA
8/22 Grand Rapids, MI
8/25 Louisville, KY
9/7 Casper, WY (satellite)
10/20 Evansville, IN
10/31 Roanoke, VA
10/31 Philadelphia, PA
10/31 Middlesboro, KY
11/7 Fargo, ND
11/16 Deputy Chief
12/5 RCALJ Philadelphia, PA
12/11 Johnstown, PA

[Pixie]

Hooligan: Florence, AL was announced and then re announced when the selectee decided to not make the move. I didn't see it on your list. To the best of my knowledge, there is still an acting HOCALJ in Florence.