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Post by 71stretch on Sept 7, 2018 15:51:08 GMT -5
mls...Sorry to hear that. I hope it won't discourage you from applying again (under whatever "new" post-EO process is eventually developed for future ALJ hiring). In addition to watching for future fed AA openings, I've also thought of considering a job as an admin. law judge for a state agency. Of course, the pay scale is less than the federal ALJ pay scale but the daily activities seem very similar (conducting hearings, reviewing evidence, rendering decisions). And becoming a state agency judge seems a logical, good career option for those of us stuck in post-EO limbo for the foreseeable future (prob. the next couple of years). Also, I imagine state ALJ experience would be viewed as a big plus in the eyes of those hiring federal ALJs. I would esp. welcome any comments from those who were state ALJs prior to becoming federal ALJs. Did you feel your state ALJ experience was an advantage/benefit in making the transition to "Federal ALJ Land"? Do it. The federal door may never open, for one thing. It is good preparation for higher level jobs (three former coworkers are superior court judges or federal magistrates), but it can be rewarding in itself. I didn't get the SSA brass ring (or OMHA), but I am about to reach the 29 year mark as a state ALJ for two different agencies. The salary is by no means like a federal one, but it will lead to a nice pension when I call time out. |
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Post by msp on Sept 7, 2018 19:54:35 GMT -5
Agreed re: the challenge of being a state ALJ. I began a new, challenging chapter as a state ALJ just a few months ago. I'm enjoying it, although at times it feels as though I'm drinking from a firehose. I may never be called to The Show, but this is a pretty decent backup plan.  |
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Post by SPN Lifer on Sept 7, 2018 20:26:31 GMT -5
Probably a better pension plan.
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Post by catwoman333 on Sept 8, 2018 12:12:09 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing your thoughts/experiences of being a state ALJ. Much appreciated!!
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Post by worrywart on Sept 8, 2018 13:33:22 GMT -5
Has anyone looked at App Manager recently and seen a change from complete to See Details?
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Post by Pixie on Sept 8, 2018 14:08:37 GMT -5
Has anyone looked at App Manager recently and seen a change from complete to See Details? It hasn't happened to anyone yet, or we would have heard about it. But it will happen to you, and it will happen on Monday. That gives you two days to worry. Pixie |
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Post by worrywart on Sept 8, 2018 14:33:08 GMT -5
Oh NO 🙈,! Now I am cursed!
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Post by Pixie on Sept 8, 2018 16:00:01 GMT -5
Yes, but it will give you something to worry about. You know how you enjoy worrying. Pixie
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caj
New Member
Posts: 15 
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Post by caj on Sept 8, 2018 20:50:22 GMT -5
I have been a state ALJ for about 8 years now and was hoping to move into the federal system (I was one of the testers/interviewers in May).
All-in-all it is a great gig. The pay isn't as high as in the federal system but it is still a very comfortable living with excellent benefits. In my particular department I work an average of 45 hours a week, 50 hours if it has been a bad week. Far less than most attorneys I know. It can be very rewarding to issue decisions in favor of the petitioners that I see, as going through this particular legal proceeding is often the end of a very long, very troubling chapter in their lives. I also get a long very well with my boss which is a definite bonus. My biggest complaint is that the cases are becoming redundant at this point and the law that I focus on is no longer "meaty" enough to present much of an intellectual challenge. I am bored, basically.
I think I've decided to wait another year or two and see what happens with the federal ALJ process. If it doesn't pan out I will likely try to move into another division or department of state ALJs. The pay change would probably be lateral, but the law would be different and would present a new challenge, which is really my primary gripe. If I can bounce around two or three times I can make it to retirement without dying of boredom haha
In short, if you are presented with an opportunity to take a state ALJ position, I would highly recommend it. Like anything it has it down sides, but as a whole it is an excellent career choice.
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Post by 71stretch on Sept 10, 2018 11:26:19 GMT -5
Agreed re: the challenge of being a state ALJ. I began a new, challenging chapter as a state ALJ just a few months ago. I'm enjoying it, although at times it feels as though I'm drinking from a firehose.
I may never be called to The Show, but this is a pretty decent backup plan. Boy, do I hear that. We have two judges leaving, and the transferred cases are clogging already crowded calendars. Playing some catch up at the same time. Fortunately, hydration is healthy, so that fire hose does serve a positive purpose.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2018 15:13:47 GMT -5
I have not received the email yet, and nothing in Application Manager either.
Don’t forget AM.
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Post by Pixie on Sept 12, 2018 15:25:46 GMT -5
Yes, AM can be your friend, or not, but only at the very end. We are at the very end. I will be interested is seeing how well the NORs correlate with the "Complete" and "See Details" notices in AM this time around. Pixie
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Post by merlot on Sept 12, 2018 15:31:37 GMT -5
I have not received the email yet, and nothing in Application Manager either. Don’t forget AM. I had no idea e-mails were going/had gone out. Does it even matter anymore with the EO? |
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Post by jimmyjiggles on Sept 12, 2018 16:18:10 GMT -5
I got the dreaded "see details" originally, but checking AM today after seeing news of score emails coming, I now see "Complete." Old heads: did I just nab the one out of a hundred see details-to-complete spots and I'm getting a score, or does AM update all we "see details" losers to "complete" once the NOR emails start? Answering my own question:. Just got my NOR email. I got a score!!! I was one of the rare birds to crawl out of see details hell! No way! Congrats! Well FWIW anyway. |
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Post by ssa on Sept 12, 2018 16:19:08 GMT -5
I got the dreaded "see details" originally, but checking AM today after seeing news of score emails coming, I now see "Complete." Old heads: did I just nab the one out of a hundred see details-to-complete spots and I'm getting a score, or does AM update all we "see details" losers to "complete" once the NOR emails start? Answering my own question:. Just got my NOR email. I got a score!!! I was one of the rare birds to crawl out of see details hell! Whoa!! |
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Post by Prrple on Sept 12, 2018 16:40:28 GMT -5
I got the dreaded "see details" originally, but checking AM today after seeing news of score emails coming, I now see "Complete." Old heads: did I just nab the one out of a hundred see details-to-complete spots and I'm getting a score, or does AM update all we "see details" losers to "complete" once the NOR emails start? Answering my own question:. Just got my NOR email. I got a score!!! I was one of the rare birds to crawl out of see details hell! Woohoo! Good for you!! |
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Post by acttwo on Sept 12, 2018 16:41:58 GMT -5
I got the dreaded "see details" originally, but checking AM today after seeing news of score emails coming, I now see "Complete." Old heads: did I just nab the one out of a hundred see details-to-complete spots and I'm getting a score, or does AM update all we "see details" losers to "complete" once the NOR emails start? Answering my own question:. Just got my NOR email. I got a score!!! I was one of the rare birds to crawl out of see details hell! Yay!!!!!!!! |
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Post by jimmyjiggles on Sept 12, 2018 16:42:58 GMT -5
Well I’m still a see details and did not get an email. So either they are sending it tomorrow or they feel they don’t owe me the courtesy of telling me to FOAD. Incidentally, if you look at AM it tells you to print out all materials and notices OPM sends you because they delete them after three years. Seems pretty relevant since it’ll be about three years before the ensuing litigation will resolve and this info may again be relevant (or not).
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Post by merlot on Sept 12, 2018 17:51:29 GMT -5
I got the dreaded "see details" originally, but checking AM today after seeing news of score emails coming, I now see "Complete." Old heads: did I just nab the one out of a hundred see details-to-complete spots and I'm getting a score, or does AM update all we "see details" losers to "complete" once the NOR emails start? Answering my own question:. Just got my NOR email. I got a score!!! I was one of the rare birds to crawl out of see details hell! Congratulations!! You my friend are a unicorn --- a rare breed indeed! |
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Post by ssa on Sept 13, 2018 20:51:07 GMT -5
For anyone who is still waiting on the pseudo-NOR email...
I looked at AM today, and the “Messages” section now contains two new documents, both labeled “Custom Letter.” One is the email containing my score, and the other is the email about providing consent.
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