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Post by madmansdad on Nov 2, 2015 0:22:20 GMT -5
This string seems to focus on SSA, but the Executive Offices of Immigration, just posted about 35 openings for IJ on USAJobs this weekend.
EDIT NOTE BY PIXIE: I am moving this post to its own thread. Pix.
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Post by robespierre on Nov 2, 2015 12:50:49 GMT -5
1. The job announcement says you travel 50+% of the time. Is that really true?
2. Does someone with no experience in the immigration field have any chance whatsoever of getting the job?
Answers from anyone familiar with the position would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by kittyv on Nov 2, 2015 13:58:28 GMT -5
1. The job announcement says you travel 50+% of the time. Is that really true? 2. Does someone with no experience in the immigration field have any chance whatsoever of getting the job? Answers from anyone familiar with the position would be greatly appreciated. 1. I don't think so, but it may depend a lot on the court. For example, some cities might have a nearby detention location at which some hearings are held and the IJ "travels" from the court to the detention facility a certain number of days per month. Pretty sure this is the case in Denver, and perhaps elsewhere too. 2. Yes, but the ones I know of have substantial judicial experience balancing out their lack of immigration experience. |
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Post by aljwatch on Nov 2, 2015 15:56:25 GMT -5
With the immigration judge shortages, many IJ's have been detailed for a week or two to immigration courts far from their home courts (e.g. New York to Texas). These assigned details (in other words, not volunteer details) may ease as IJ hiring progresses and the courts become more fully staffed. Among the last batch of IJs that started in June, I believe only one judge did not have significant immigration experience, but had been a state judge for 20+ years. My personal opinion is that it might become more likely for people with less of an immigration background to be hired as time goes on, but that they are looking for people in these early rounds of hiring who can "hit the ground running" regarding the substantive law. It can't hurt to apply, and you never know exactly what they are looking for.
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Post by jafo on Nov 3, 2015 7:46:51 GMT -5
With the immigration judge shortages, many IJ's have been detailed for a week or two to immigration courts far from their home courts (e.g. New York to Texas). These assigned details (in other words, not volunteer details) may ease as IJ hiring progresses and the courts become more fully staffed. Among the last batch of IJs that started in June, I believe only one judge did not have significant immigration experience, but had been a state judge for 20+ years. My personal opinion is that it might become more likely for people with less of an immigration background to be hired as time goes on, but that they are looking for people in these early rounds of hiring who can "hit the ground running" regarding the substantive law. It can't hurt to apply, and you never know exactly what they are looking for. Have you heard any good news from the present round of second interviews or are they forcing you to reapply for the newly posted openings? There are probably those in positions of administrative power that think it would be humorous to notify the successful candidates on the Monday following the closing of the new round of job postings. Just wondering, is this the first time you have applied for an IJ position? As always, good luck and I hope you hear from them soon so you don't have to go through the application process again. Think of the rest of us as we rewrite our KSAs/QRFs and contact our references. |
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Post by robespierre on Nov 3, 2015 10:28:23 GMT -5
Another question for anyone who knows: What's the story on job security? I.e., do you serve at the pleasure of your superiors? Is there a mandatory retirement age?
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Post by lucy on Nov 3, 2015 10:39:07 GMT -5
And other questions for anyone who may know:
1. What are the prospects for getting transferred closer to home?
2. Assuming that someone who hasn't practiced immigration law before was hired, is there intensive training like in SSA prior to starting?
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Post by aljwatch on Nov 3, 2015 12:27:19 GMT -5
Jafo, I did just receive and accept an offer. Thanks for asking. The location was not exactly what I had been hoping for, and I have been told that you must wait 2 years to even request a transfer (and even then you may have to wait years to actually get a transfer, depending on the location you are requesting and the needs of the agency) (which somewhat answers Lucy's question #1). There will be no start date until after the security clearance is complete (i.e. "sometime in 2016"). There will be an intensive training at the time new Immigration Judges start, and I understand you have to pass substantive testing before you will be allowed to take the bench (to answer Lucy's Q #2).
Re: Robespierre's questions. I was told there is a 2-year period, can't remember if they used the term "probationary," but within which you have to perform at a certain acceptable level or risk not being continued (or being subject to re-training??). Once you are past that period, I believe that you only risk separation for misconduct or serious deficiencies in performance. There is no mandatory retirement age.
Some of the people I know who have had one interview are uncertain whether they need to reapply, but will probably opt to do so, just to be safe. It would be nice if they would send notices to people closing out the old ads to give applicants some certainty (or notify people already in the interview process that they do not need to reapply??).
I do know many Immigration Judges. Yes, it is a high stress, high volume job. But, SSA/ODAR has its own stresses and also involves a high volume of cases and pressure to reduce the backlog. Some advantages to consider regarding the Immigration Judge job: the hearings are on the record, adversarial proceedings and you would be handling evidentiary and procedural issues like any other courtroom on a daily basis; also, immigration law is very complex and the cases all involve different kinds of issues (so you never get bored). For every burnt-out Immigration Judge, there is one who absolutely loves the job (and probably a lot who fall somewhere in between). Some disadvantages compared to SSA ALJ: there is no telework (but I believe there are compressed work schedules), you have to schedule annual leave way in advance (given the court dockets), and you have cases scheduled virtually every day of the month (so, very little flexibility to complete administrative tasks or do your own research).
It all boils down to what you want in your career. Best of luck to all who decide to apply!
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Post by robespierre on Nov 3, 2015 12:31:56 GMT -5
ALJWatch - Thanks for all the good info and best of luck in the new job, Your Honor!
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Post by jafo on Nov 3, 2015 13:03:40 GMT -5
Jafo, I did just receive and accept an offer. Congrats! Did the offer come by email or telephone? Some courts (not sure all) have an assigned AWS day for the judges. Trade off for a longer work day is a day off every pay period. Just an opinion, but those who had a first interview and haven't been called for a second one by now should probably reapply. Have you heard of any other offers being extended or for what cities? |
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Post by Pixie on Nov 3, 2015 13:53:51 GMT -5
Congratulations and good luck to you. It appears you already know quite a bit about the job, and know what you are getting into. Pix.
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Post by aljwatch on Nov 3, 2015 17:27:35 GMT -5
Thanks much! The offer came by phone. I have not heard about other recent offers, but I would be surprised if they had not made other offers. In addition, although I had heard that there would be another round of second interviews in November, I have not heard of any being scheduled. But, if I do hear anything, I will continue to post.
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Post by luckylady2 on Nov 4, 2015 21:55:25 GMT -5
Congrats, aljwatch!
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Post by gary on Nov 4, 2015 21:57:33 GMT -5
Congratulations aljwatch!
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Post by phoenixrakkasan on Nov 4, 2015 22:10:40 GMT -5
Outstanding news. Another Board Member wins the golden ticket!
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Post by neufenland on Nov 5, 2015 20:29:21 GMT -5
So, the general gist is that without immigration experience, chances are slim. Not necessarily zero, but not in double digits. They just added a bunch of locations today and I might throw my name in just for the hell of it. If you don't apply, the answer is always no. I've been looking to make a change for a while and need to be more proactive about opportunities as they come up. I'm realistic, but think of it like applying to a "reach" college.
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Post by phoenixrakkasan on Nov 5, 2015 20:34:46 GMT -5
Nothing happens without trying.
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Post by jafo on Nov 10, 2015 8:07:56 GMT -5
Has anyone else heard any news after other second interviews? A "friend of a friend" had their second one several weeks ago and so far have heard nothing.
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Post by aljwatch on Nov 10, 2015 8:46:49 GMT -5
I have not heard any more rumors of offers, nor have I heard about any second round interviews taking place yet this month. But, some people were given to understand (but not told directly) that no decisions would be made on certain cities until all second round interviews had been completed for those cities. So, perhaps your "friend of a friend" is under consideration for one (or more) of the cities that OCIJ has not completed interviewing all candidates for?? The process is definitely opaque...
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Post by jafo on Nov 10, 2015 9:15:53 GMT -5
I have not heard any more rumors of offers, nor have I heard about any second round interviews taking place yet this month. But, some people were given to understand (but not told directly) that no decisions would be made on certain cities until all second round interviews had been completed for those cities. So, perhaps your "friend of a friend" is under consideration for one (or more) of the cities that OCIJ has not completed interviewing all candidates for?? The process is definitely opaque...
Well, at least there are two of us that know where we stand. You going forward and me having to reapply -LOL.
Also heard of rumors of more second round interviews this month but I think now it was more wishful thinking/hoping on the part of those that were never called after their first interview. I believe you may have heard the same rumblings of possible second interviews during November. I do find it interesting (and certainly perplexing for those still involved in the process) that they would tell some of their success and let others sweat it out waiting for an affirmative call. Guessing that there will be only one group trained during 2016 one might think that they would notify everyone at one time rather than the drip, drip, drip of information. Who knows, maybe you are the only applicant that they really liked. |
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