Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2018 10:38:13 GMT -5
From some of what I've read, GS-15's generally score well and make it to the register. Is that true? (Please say yes) The written demonstration and structured interview don’t care much about your salary and and experience. Once you’re on the register, sure. |
|
|
|
Post by phoenixrisingALJ on Jan 9, 2018 11:53:31 GMT -5
xoanon Once you are ON the Register - the fact that you are a GS-15 may assist you when SSA reviews their interviews and makes their selection as they do apparently feel that the knowledge and experience of GS-15 attorneys generally translates to a smooth transition as an ALJ and a demonstrated ability to handle the work load. However the fact that you are a GS-15 will not in any way assist you with navigating the process to get on the the Register. I have known excellent attorneys at all GS levels - or from private practice that have the knowledge and experience to be excellent ALJs who have either failed or who have gotten very low scores.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Jan 9, 2018 13:20:02 GMT -5
GS 15 attorneys are looked upon with favor by the Agency.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mister Atkins on Jan 9, 2018 13:41:58 GMT -5
Interesting Question. I just got a promotion to GS-15 (start on PP beginning 1/8), YEAH!. If I don't get a NOR it definitely won't hurt as much. I have a wide open GAL and if I do get a NOR I will be more selective that I would have before the promotion. Some of my motivations for a change would be location, location, location. I love being in the desert southwest but would like to spend a few years were I could be close to big water. The other consideration is making a better high three. I have about 2.3 years till retirement eligible (although don't plan on going that soon). With the ALJ advancing my pay a bit faster that GS-15, if given an offer, I would look at how that might affect my high three at 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc years. Also, a past SSA writer and like the work. Bottom line a balance between location and high three. We are planning on retiring to a 40-50 foot trawler cruising for a few years (Keys, Bahamas, ICW, Great Loop). If offer came for a location that lends itself to being near cruising retirement location and the high three numbers worked would take the plunge. When you begin the cruise, if you need a deckhand, or relief helmsman, especially for Great Loop segments, send up a flare! |
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Jan 9, 2018 13:45:31 GMT -5
Rule #1 for cruising: Find out when hurricanes are in season and avoid any cruising during those months.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mister Atkins on Jan 9, 2018 13:56:00 GMT -5
Rule #1 for cruising: Find out when hurricanes are in season and avoid any cruising during those months. Yes. Proper planning. My wife and I had chartered a bareboat motor yacht for our 30th anniversary, with plans to cruise the British Virgin Islands. Our anniversary was last September, and Irma had different ideas. We postponed the trip. I’m looking forward to my make up cruise in May. But I’m taking the time to bring my sailing skills up to par with my powerboat credentials. next year we’re planning on sailing/cruising in the Med. |
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Jan 9, 2018 15:33:59 GMT -5
Shouldn't have much of a problem with hurricanes in the Med!
As you have probably learned, never plan a cruise for August or September as those are the peak months for hurricanes. July and October are iffy, with June and November being safer months, but still best avoided.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mister Atkins on Jan 9, 2018 19:38:11 GMT -5
Shouldn't have much of a problem with hurricanes in the Med! As you have probably learned, never plan a cruise for August or September as those are the peak months for hurricanes. July and October are iffy, with June and November being safer months, but still best avoided. Yep. However, I couldn’t get my wife to change our anniversary, so there was that in the “go” column. |
|
|
|
Post by elpaso on Jan 9, 2018 20:31:02 GMT -5
During the summer months, “Meltemi” winds are common in the Aegean Sea. These strong dry winds blow from the north and sweep across Greek waters swamping small craft and challenging larger vessels.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Jan 10, 2018 9:42:57 GMT -5
Careful Top. Might be better to avoid bare boating in the Med during the summer months. Don't want to be swamped. There is no US Coast Guard there to pull you out.
|
|
|
|
Post by foghorn on Jan 11, 2018 15:48:08 GMT -5
Careful Top. Might be better to avoid bare boating in the Med during the summer months. Don't want to be swamped. There is no US Coast Guard there to pull you out. But there are a lot of naval vessels in the area watching out for those crossing in small boats. In fact you may run across many swimmers looking for shelter. Might be a good idea to vet your proposed itinerary with people who've made that route in the last year as some of the areas may be a bit sketchy due to traffickers and others. |
|
|
|
Post by SPN Lifer on Jan 11, 2018 15:58:23 GMT -5
Yes, beware the rubber raft flotilla.
|
|
|
|
Post by chicagoirish on Jun 11, 2018 13:23:33 GMT -5
This is great question and one I get from friends and colleagues who know I'm pursuing the ALJ path (currently on register with fingers crossed like many of us). I am a GS-15 non-supervisory attorney in a litigation position who was previously a GS-14 supervisory attorney in a non-litigation position.
For me, my motivation is first and foremost LOCATION. The ALJ route is one of the few paths for me to remain a federal attorney at a high pay rate outside the high-cost mega markets of DC, NYC, Chicago, etc. The ALJ path gives my family and I a chance to relocate closer to family, reduce our cost of living, and improve our quality of life (shorter commutes, less rat race, etc.).
Other factors for me: 1) chance for more independence 2) opportunity to serve as a judge and be a decision maker in an important process for my fellow citizens 3) increase my high three for retirement purposes 4) positive experiences of friends and mentors who are currently ALJs 5) professional doors that may open for post-federal retirement jobs (I'm particularly interested in getting into academia, the non-profit world, or state/local government) 6) chance to mentor folks like the decision writers, attorney advisers, etc. on their legal careers
|
|
|
|
Post by rp on Jun 17, 2018 20:42:24 GMT -5
This is great question and one I get from friends and colleagues who know I'm pursuing the ALJ path (currently on register with fingers crossed like many of us). I am a GS-15 non-supervisory attorney in a litigation position who was previously a GS-14 supervisory attorney in a non-litigation position. For me, my motivation is first and foremost LOCATION. The ALJ route is one of the few paths for me to remain a federal attorney at a high pay rate outside the high-cost mega markets of DC, NYC, Chicago, etc. The ALJ path gives my family and I a chance to relocate closer to family, reduce our cost of living, and improve our quality of life (shorter commutes, less rat race, etc.). Other factors for me: 1) chance for more independence 2) opportunity to serve as a judge and be a decision maker in an important process for my fellow citizens 3) increase my high three for retirement purposes 4) positive experiences of friends and mentors who are currently ALJs 5) professional doors that may open for post-federal retirement jobs (I'm particularly interested in getting into academia, the non-profit world, or state/local government) 6) chance to mentor folks like the decision writers, attorney advisers, etc. on their legal careers EXACTLY. 8 months after transitioning from basically a GS-15 federal litigation job (AFPD) to ALJ - this has been my exact experience. I tell everyone who asks - this is the BEST job I have ever had. I sincerely hope you get the joy of moving to this job. Good luck! |
|
|
|
Post by aljwishhope on Jun 17, 2018 23:11:31 GMT -5
Too much exuberance RP. As a lower scoring person on register I need some folks to lose interes. Really Good Luck All. If it is meant for me it will happen!
|
|
|
|
Post by jagvet on Jun 18, 2018 13:47:04 GMT -5
I was a GS-15 (supervisory) for 12 years before getting the call. Among the best things about this ALJ job is NOT SUPERVISING OR MANAGING! It is so rare and refreshing to have senior-level federal legal work without having to spend most of my time on budgets, personnel, and (worst of all), sailing between Scylla and Charybdis from the Washington political appointees without getting eaten.
This is the best job I ever had, even without the privilege of not supervising or managing, but that is a great icing on the cake!
|
|
|
|
Post by Ace Midnight on Jun 18, 2018 13:52:14 GMT -5
This is the best job I ever had Amen and amen |
|
|
|
Post by mdatty on Jun 18, 2018 15:02:17 GMT -5
I was a GS-15 for a long time with the feds before becoming an ALJ. My decision to become an ALJ was not financial. It was based on 1) mobility. I had none in my previous job. 2) interest in the type of work I would be doing as an ALJ. 3) several years of problematic management (being an attorney does not necessarily make you a good manager), with no indications that anything would improve and 4) a desire to try something different. Very glad I gave it a go.
|
|
|
|
Post by privateatty on Jun 19, 2018 17:26:48 GMT -5
Time and again on this Board I have seen posters make "reasoned" pronouncements based upon their experience. I should know, I thought I knew what the job paid and what it entailed throughout my 25+ years as a private litigator.
I was so wrong, on so many levels. Pixie said that most law partners wouldn't want this job assumably because of the $. To achieve my salary and benefits in the private sector I'd have to collect on almost all my billable hours--and have no life.
I didn't know squat about the financial aspect, catch up contributions, agency contributions, etc. I didn't really know what it meant to be an ALJ despite having appeared before scores of them. As to the $ decision--well if you're in your 40's you need to think about twenty years ahead...
As to the GS-15s deciding that they don't want the job because they have it really good, well, they have never had a job without a supervisor, an annual review, worries about behavior that they can't control, etc.
The only thing I can compare it to in terms of the incredible freedom of being an ALJ is leaving the Army.
No more phone slips, imploring emails, working through my "vacations" (hah!), stupid, nasty clients, rapacious opposing counsel, constant, unrelenting worry.
Becoming an ALJ changed my life in ways you would not believe. Suddenly, I had TIME. Time for my daughter, wife and friends. Time to smell the roses and look at my life and what had run through my hands.
I'm gonna keep this job as long as I can--God willing, maybe even into my 80s. I have no retirement plan and frankly, don't want one. I like where I work, with whom I work, those before whom I work and the law I am constantly learning. I work with smart, funny people who care about me. Imagine that. I'm still pinching myself after nine years on the job and eleven on this Board.
So when you go to the interviews, don't assume you know what the job entails. Better to reference (to yourself) Alice...
|
|
|
|
Post by chicagoirish on Jun 19, 2018 19:52:51 GMT -5
Time and again on this Board I have seen posters make "reasoned" pronouncements based upon their experience. I should know, I thought I knew what the job paid and what it entailed throughout my 25+ years as a private litigator. I was so wrong, on so many levels. Pixie said that most law partners wouldn't want this job assumably because of the $. To achieve my salary and benefits in the private sector I'd have to collect on almost all my billable hours--and have no life. I didn't know squat about the financial aspect, catch up contributions, agency contributions, etc. I didn't really know what it meant to be an ALJ despite having appeared before scores of them. As to the $ decision--well if you're in your 40's you need to think about twenty years ahead... As to the GS-15s deciding that they don't want the job because they have it really good, well, they have never had a job without a supervisor, an annual review, worries about behavior that they can't control, etc. The only thing I can compare it to in terms of the incredible freedom of being an ALJ is leaving the Army. No more phone slips, imploring emails, working through my "vacations" (hah!), stupid, nasty clients, rapacious opposing counsel, constant, unrelenting worry. Becoming an ALJ changed my life in ways you would not believe. Suddenly, I had TIME. Time for my daughter, wife and friends. Time to smell the roses and look at my life and what had run through my hands. I'm gonna keep this job as long as I can--God willing, maybe even into my 80s. I have no retirement plan and frankly, don't want one. I like where I work, with whom I work, those before whom I work and the law I am constantly learning. I work with smart, funny people who care about me. Imagine that. I'm still pinching myself after nine years on the job and eleven on this Board. So when you go to the interviews, don't assume you know what the job entails. Better to reference (to yourself) Alice... _______ Yep. Just going from a non-supervisory position to a supervisory one, with a pay raise from 14 to 15 to boot, after managing people for the majority of my career, was like the feeling you get when running up hill for a mile during a road race, and then suddenly it levels out and you begin to feel right again. |
|
