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Post by Pixie on Feb 12, 2020 9:18:58 GMT -5
Received from a member requesting that I post. It is for a genera attorney with Customs and Border Protection. Pixie "Hi Pixie: would you be willing to post this for the members? www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/559483300" |
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Post by generalsherman on Feb 13, 2020 12:17:31 GMT -5
For those interested, there’s some temporary group supervisor postings in region 5 on the SSA internal vacancies site.
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Post by chicagoirish on Feb 25, 2020 20:41:26 GMT -5
Recommend everyone keep their eye on USAJobs this spring Lots of great attorney openings at GS-15 level / equivalent with DoJ, DoD, and some other of the "big" agencies. From my experience and my colleagues' experiences at these agencies, they are very happy when assessing salary, on-site gyms (with working out encouraged by management - healthy body = healthy mind!) professional atmosphere, lack of quotas and silly micromanagement on who sat down at their desk at what time, etc. Bottom line - you get your work done and no one cares when you walk in or walk out for the day as long as you use common sense. Oh, and there is virtually zero danger of telework going away and perhaps even an expansion.
I have to admit, the more I read here about what is going on at SSA, the less I think about Black July in 2018 when they pulled the rug from those of us on the register. I really feel for my friends and colleagues who are having tough times there. Still have the occasional "what if?" run through my brain, but for now I'll take my current federal gig and wait to fight another day.
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Post by intothewild on Feb 25, 2020 23:18:30 GMT -5
Recommend everyone keep their eye on USAJobs this spring Lots of great attorney openings at GS-15 level / equivalent with DoJ, DoD, and some other of the "big" agencies. From my experience and my colleagues' experiences at these agencies, they are very happy when assessing salary, on-site gyms (with working out encouraged by management - healthy body = healthy mind!) professional atmosphere, lack of quotas and silly micromanagement on who sat down at their desk at what time, etc. Bottom line - you get your work done and no one cares when you walk in or walk out for the day as long as you use common sense. Oh, and there is virtually zero danger of telework going away and perhaps even an expansion. I have to admit, the more I read here about what is going on at SSA, the less I think about Black July in 2018 when they pulled the rug from those of us on the register. I really feel for my friends and colleagues who are having tough times there. Still have the occasional "what if?" run through my brain, but for now I'll take my current federal gig and wait to fight another day. I hope some of these agencies hire more outside DC |
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Post by rightspeech on Mar 10, 2020 8:14:12 GMT -5
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Post by garlow on Mar 11, 2020 22:52:20 GMT -5
Recommend everyone keep their eye on USAJobs this spring Lots of great attorney openings at GS-15 level / equivalent with DoJ, DoD, and some other of the "big" agencies. From my experience and my colleagues' experiences at these agencies, they are very happy when assessing salary, on-site gyms (with working out encouraged by management - healthy body = healthy mind!) professional atmosphere, lack of quotas and silly micromanagement on who sat down at their desk at what time, etc. Bottom line - you get your work done and no one cares when you walk in or walk out for the day as long as you use common sense. Oh, and there is virtually zero danger of telework going away and perhaps even an expansion. I have to admit, the more I read here about what is going on at SSA, the less I think about Black July in 2018 when they pulled the rug from those of us on the register. I really feel for my friends and colleagues who are having tough times there. Still have the occasional "what if?" run through my brain, but for now I'll take my current federal gig and wait to fight another day. Great advice... but could you or anyone else offer any more clarification? 1. what specific positions in these agencies are good choices for "livable gigs?"... did you mean the "attorney advisor" positions, or is there something more specific? And can anyone point me to some specific career paths or "tracks" that you or others would recommend? For example, I've heard that the SSA opinion writers get paid pretty well for the hours, but it's a very niche skillset. Obviously non-litigation positions are gonna be less stressful than constant litigation...So which divisions/career tracks in DOD/DOJ/other agencies are most desirable? 2. What big agencies other than DOJ/DOD are known for good pay with reasonable work life balance? I always got the sense that DOJ didnt have the best work life balance, but maybe that's just for prosecutors, or maybe I'm misinformed. 3. Any thoughts on the best way, or a first position, to get my "foot in the door" at some of these agencies? For example, I noticed a lot of the Atty Advisor positions want "specialized" experience working with specific federal rules/statutes. Like working with federal contract law, or procurement or federal review boards, or whatever. Appreciate any advice. |
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Post by phoenixrisingALJ on Mar 12, 2020 7:35:41 GMT -5
Federal work as an attorney is highly specialized. There is no one recommended path. All anyone can do who is a fed can tell you is their own experiences and perhaps a few horror - what to avoid stories.
I have worked a significant time in private practice- and now over 15 years for the government. I started with one agency and had several jobs with different components and shifted from that agency to DOJ at one point. I worked for great bosses and a few bad bosses. I will say the bad ones are what made the job difficult- their decisions leading to bad policies and discontent. The adage of people don’t leave a bad job but they do leave bad bosses is one I have found to be true.
There is no best path - best type of federal attorney job. As an attorney you will always have deadlines which are either metric based- production based- deadline (external from courts/internal from bosses)
Overall being a federal employee is a good gig. Certain agencies have easier paths to higher grades for attorneys. A few things I have learned over my time as a fed. HHS - it is not too hard to hit GS 13 but it is harder to get to 14s and above. Homeland and the VA - and Labor- not too hard to get to 14- much harder to 15. The point is each agency is different- so speak to folks there. This board obviously has a lot of folks who can give you insight of HHS - SSA - OMHA. What I just said someone here could disagree with me....
What I have observed every agency needs - experience that is not highly specific to a program and therefore more transferable between agencies are areas of law such as FOIA or internal labor relations. Litigation and appellate experience is also potentially transferable as agencies know they may need to train you up on their area of law but at least you are a great writer or already know the FRE and what a motion in limine is.
AUSAs are very busy. DOJ has a civil as well as criminal side.
If you get to a point of receiving an offer - ask if you can speak to a couple of staff attorneys before you accept the job. Ask them to describe their job - ask them about office culture- ask them how hard it is to advance in that office - if there are opportunities to move within the agency. Ask them their typical hours- how work is measured ( deadlines- metrics - volume)... then decide on the job. Oh and ask them about telework- I have seen a wide gamut and even within the same agency different policies - or perhaps bosses that interpret it differently. Keep in mind that telework culture can change based on administration or a new agency head. Federal agencies were pulling back in recent years but now with Covid19 it’s looking like it will be allowed again situationally at least.
Overall I am glad I made the move to be a fed. Overall it has worked out for me in terms of quality of work - quality of life. I had 1 time period of hellish work (quantity- bad boss- hellish hours...).
Good luck on your search.
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Post by neufenland on Mar 12, 2020 9:35:29 GMT -5
Recommend everyone keep their eye on USAJobs this spring Lots of great attorney openings at GS-15 level / equivalent with DoJ, DoD, and some other of the "big" agencies. From my experience and my colleagues' experiences at these agencies, they are very happy when assessing salary, on-site gyms (with working out encouraged by management - healthy body = healthy mind!) professional atmosphere, lack of quotas and silly micromanagement on who sat down at their desk at what time, etc. Bottom line - you get your work done and no one cares when you walk in or walk out for the day as long as you use common sense. Oh, and there is virtually zero danger of telework going away and perhaps even an expansion. I have to admit, the more I read here about what is going on at SSA, the less I think about Black July in 2018 when they pulled the rug from those of us on the register. I really feel for my friends and colleagues who are having tough times there. Still have the occasional "what if?" run through my brain, but for now I'll take my current federal gig and wait to fight another day. Great advice... but could you or anyone else offer any more clarification? I'm interested in exactly that: the right balance of salary, telework option, and reasonable hours that are not micromanaged... My current background is former state prosecutor, currently practicing for a state government in criminal appeals. Looking to get into the federal world for the better pay... Had a few questions. 1. what specific positions in these agencies are good choices for "livable gigs?"... did you mean the "attorney advisor" positions, or is there something more specific? And can anyone point me to some specific career paths or "tracks" that you or others would recommend? For example, I've heard that the SSA opinion writers get paid pretty well for the hours, but it's a very niche skillset. Obviously non-litigation positions are gonna be less stressful than constant litigation...So which divisions/career tracks in DOD/DOJ/other agencies are most desirable? 2. What big agencies other than DOJ/DOD are known for good pay with reasonable work life balance? I always got the sense that DOJ didnt have the best work life balance, but maybe that's just for line prosecutors, or maybe I'm misinformed. Every federal line prosecutor I ever met (three of them) claimed to regularly be in the office past 7 pm... not great for people with kids. 3. Any thoughts on the best way, or a first position, to get my "foot in the door" at some of these non-criminal agencies? For example, I noticed a lot of the Atty Advisor positions want "specialized" experience working with specific federal rules/statutes. Like working with federal contract law, or procurement or federal review boards, or whatever. Obviously, as a state criminal/appellate specialist (my current background), I dont have the specific experience many of these jobs are looking for, but maybe I could start somewhere as a GS13/14? Appreciate any advice. I’ve been in three federal agencies as an attorney, including as a litigator in DOJ (was not an AUSA, but a trial attorney in Civil Division doing some very specialized cases in front of the US Court of Federal Claims). I had a very high case load at DOJ, but had great managers and colleagues. Ultimately, the work-life balance wasn’t what I was looking for and I transitioned into an administrative law gig at another department. I think the workload at DOJ depends on component, but you earn that 15 regardless of where you are. My two years at DOJ made me a better lawyer, for sure. |
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Post by JudgeKnot on Apr 13, 2020 6:38:38 GMT -5
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Post by intothewild on Apr 13, 2020 10:08:16 GMT -5
There are quite a few State ALJ jobs out there. If I was not in federal service I would probably try and get one. |
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Post by bippity on Apr 15, 2020 13:43:52 GMT -5
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this posting yet. www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/565443000 I suspect this will also go to an atty from an agency that promotes attys above a 13, since if you are within SSA, you have to already be in SES or at 15 to even apply. |
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Post by Prrple on Apr 16, 2020 0:36:04 GMT -5
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this posting yet. www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/565443000 I suspect this will also go to an atty from an agency that promotes attys above a 13, since if you are within SSA, you have to already be in SES or at 15 to even apply. I suspect it will go to someone is already buddies with Saul who is possibly not even in Fed service. Short window for a very high pay grade = pro forma posting, not seeking true applicant pool And that is my cynical post for the day.  |
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Post by bippity on Apr 21, 2020 9:05:07 GMT -5
And as of today, it is the only job posting on USAJobs for SSA, out of 147, that is open to attorneys inside the agency.
Opportunity for promotion, they said. Easy to advance, they said. Argh.
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Post by natethegreat on Apr 21, 2020 10:21:01 GMT -5
And as of today, it is the only job posting on USAJobs for SSA, out of 147, that is open to attorneys inside the agency. Opportunity for promotion, they said. Easy to advance, they said. Argh. I also see one QR and 5 GS spots that should be open for internal attorney applicants. |
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Post by bippity on Apr 21, 2020 20:08:16 GMT -5
I posted before completely drinking my coffee, and made the mistake of relying on the positions marked as excepted service. My apologies.
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Post by natethegreat on Apr 21, 2020 20:16:11 GMT -5
I posted before completely drinking my coffee, and made the mistake of relying on the positions marked as excepted service. My apologies. All good. That is interesting as all attorney spots should be excepted service. |
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Post by nappyloxs on Apr 28, 2020 22:43:58 GMT -5
And as of today, it is the only job posting on USAJobs for SSA, out of 147, that is open to attorneys inside the agency. Opportunity for promotion, they said. Easy to advance, they said. Argh. Current events has pushed the odds of me leaving over 50% after things settle down. Besides lack of promotions/advancement, but current events have highlighted so many issues with SSA that I personally and professionally don’t agree with. |
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Post by foghorn on Jul 12, 2020 20:41:11 GMT -5
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Post by christina on Jul 13, 2020 9:18:55 GMT -5
And as of today, it is the only job posting on USAJobs for SSA, out of 147, that is open to attorneys inside the agency. Opportunity for promotion, they said. Easy to advance, they said. Argh. Current events has pushed the odds of me leaving over 50% after things settle down. Besides lack of promotions/advancement, but current events have highlighted so many issues with SSA that I personally and professionally don’t agree with. It will be our loss when you leave. Good luck with the hunt and with the future! |
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Post by sealaw90 on Jul 13, 2020 11:38:50 GMT -5
Not a judgy job at all - think judicial law clerk. It's still good training for a DW who feels stuck and wants to become an ALJ, if and when SSA ever hires again. |
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