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Post by alohastate on Jul 7, 2021 13:33:01 GMT -5
How many here have considered looking for and applying to State ALJ positions? After SSA ALJ positions were moved to excepted service (Washington DC testing costs down the drain except for the memories of a nice vacay), I looked for other options and applied for some California State ALJ positions last summer. I found that they pay decently (currently max out at about $145K), but that the Cal State retirement system seems quite a bit better than the Federal FERS system, applied for a few jobs and got hired at the end of last year. The workload is moderate and manageable, and the management and leadership are superb. In California you can create a profile on Calcareers.ca.gov and they will send you notices of ALJ openings as they come up. You need 5 years of licensure in CA to apply here, but I noticed some other states, like Washington, simply need 5 years of licensure anywhere.
I am thinking and wondering whether getting a few years of state ALJ experience under your belt might make you more attractive for a federal ALJ or IJ position, although quite frankly now that I am in the CA state system I don't think I would give up the position because of the superior retirement benefits.
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Post by alohastate on Jul 7, 2021 13:36:50 GMT -5
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Post by mercury on Jul 7, 2021 13:42:59 GMT -5
Looks like an internal posting only, but I’m glad you created this thread. |
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Post by alohastate on Jul 7, 2021 13:43:40 GMT -5
No, it's not an internal posting. They will hire from outside.
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Post by mercury on Jul 7, 2021 13:47:55 GMT -5
No, it's not an internal posting. They will hire from outside. Maybe for an ALJ 1, but not this one. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE II (SPECIALIST) Exam Code: 8BP08 Department: Department of Social Services Exam Type: Departmental Promotional |
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Post by alohastate on Jul 7, 2021 14:01:39 GMT -5
No, it's not an internal posting. They will hire from outside. Maybe for an ALJ 1, but not this one. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE II (SPECIALIST) Exam Code: 8BP08 Department: Department of Social Services Exam Type: Departmental Promotional Who May Apply Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility. I have actually discussed this with my supervising judges (who do the screening and initial interviews), and they have confirmed non-state employees are eligible although getting at ALJ I is an easier path to ALJ II. The funny thing is, ALJ I's need not apply for this position, the promotion to ALJ II is automatic after a year of satisfactory service as ALJ I.
You get list eligibility by completing and submitting this self-evaluative form. www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/13/HRSB/8BP08TE.pdf |
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Post by alohastate on Jul 7, 2021 14:05:02 GMT -5
If CA folks are interested I will try to post ALJ openings as they open up as we receive internal notifications when the openings are announced.
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Post by mercury on Jul 7, 2021 14:59:09 GMT -5
Being licensed in California, I’ve applied for many similar state positions and been rejected due to not being employed by that Department. If the exam for list eligibility says promotional for a Department, that usually means internal only. But I’m not a hiring manager or a Judge, so we’ll have to agree to disagree.
I am interested, though, so please keep posting.
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Post by alohastate on Jul 7, 2021 15:19:48 GMT -5
Have also tried for ALJ I positions? Have you taken the online test/self-evaluation for the ALJ I and have an eligibility letter?
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Post by alohastate on Jul 7, 2021 15:22:05 GMT -5
Being licensed in California, I’ve applied for many similar state positions and been rejected due to not being employed by that Department. If the exam for list eligibility says promotional for a Department, that usually means internal only. But I’m not a hiring manager or a Judge, so we’ll have to agree to disagree. I am interested, though, so please keep posting. I applied with no state experience ever, I was a private practitioner in Hawaii and California. That was for an ALJ I position. I applied for several positions between June and December of last year until I got an offer in December, and started in February. I know for sure that they have been actively recruiting. |
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Post by nylawyer on Jul 7, 2021 19:17:36 GMT -5
How many here have considered looking for and applying to State ALJ positions? After SSA ALJ positions were moved to excepted service (Washington DC testing costs down the drain except for the memories of a nice vacay), I looked for other options and applied for some California State ALJ positions last summer. I found that they pay decently (currently max out at about $145K), but that the Cal State retirement system seems quite a bit better than the Federal FERS system, applied for a few jobs and got hired at the end of last year. The workload is moderate and manageable, and the management and leadership are superb. In California you can create a profile on Calcareers.ca.gov and they will send you notices of ALJ openings as they come up. You need 5 years of licensure in CA to apply here, but I noticed some other states, like Washington, simply need 5 years of licensure anywhere. I am thinking and wondering whether getting a few years of state ALJ experience under your belt might make you more attractive for a federal ALJ or IJ position, although quite frankly now that I am in the CA state system I don't think I would give up the position because of the superior retirement benefits. Sounds like you are happy with the job, so good for you. But while logically you would think state level ALJ experience would make you a better candidate, I wouldn't count on it helping to get hired with SSA (as things stand). Of course, state ALJs vary greatly. People thought I was nuts to give up my practicein NY for an ALJ position, because they associated ALJ with $30 per hour part time positions. |
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Post by alohastate on Jul 7, 2021 19:40:38 GMT -5
I would tend to agree with you from what I have learned about hiring of SSA ALJs on this board. I do believe the experience would be helpful and relevant if applying for an IJ position, however.
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ike82
Full Member
Posts: 45 
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Post by ike82 on Jul 7, 2021 20:28:48 GMT -5
I am aware of a few NY State ALJs who were hired by SSA after 2000, and before the end of the federal ALJ exam. I was hired as an ALJ by OMHA and only had state ALJ experience, although the majority of it was as a supervisor. The downside to becoming an ALJ in New York State now involves the substantial changes to the pension system for new employees.
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Post by natethegreat on Jul 7, 2021 20:46:33 GMT -5
I would say if it is something you think you would actually enjoy doing, go for it. I certainly don't see it hurting your odds of landing a Federal ALJ position and CA ALJ spots certainly pay better than many other states. Where I am at, state hearing officers for various agencies only make around $50k a year. Which is why I left to take a attorney adviser position.
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Post by arkstfan on Jul 7, 2021 22:39:43 GMT -5
How many here have considered looking for and applying to State ALJ positions? After SSA ALJ positions were moved to excepted service (Washington DC testing costs down the drain except for the memories of a nice vacay), I looked for other options and applied for some California State ALJ positions last summer. I found that they pay decently (currently max out at about $145K), but that the Cal State retirement system seems quite a bit better than the Federal FERS system, applied for a few jobs and got hired at the end of last year. The workload is moderate and manageable, and the management and leadership are superb. In California you can create a profile on Calcareers.ca.gov and they will send you notices of ALJ openings as they come up. You need 5 years of licensure in CA to apply here, but I noticed some other states, like Washington, simply need 5 years of licensure anywhere. I am thinking and wondering whether getting a few years of state ALJ experience under your belt might make you more attractive for a federal ALJ or IJ position, although quite frankly now that I am in the CA state system I don't think I would give up the position because of the superior retirement benefits. Well may not matter in the future but there have been some state ALJs hired by SSA |
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Post by msp on Jul 12, 2021 14:03:27 GMT -5
I recommend pursuing a state ALJ position. When the Big Hire of 2017 didn’t pan out for me, I turned to state ALJ positions. I pro temmed as an ALJ in my state for a couple of years until a full-time position opened. I’ve had the full-time position since and I haven’t looked back. Without a doubt, the best job I’ve ever had. I hear a decent variety of cases and my team members are fabulous. alohastate, I know you’d be a fantastic ALJ, state or fed level! 😊 |
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Post by stevil on Jul 12, 2021 15:03:49 GMT -5
My first legal job in law school was clerking for the Iowa Industrial Commissioner - who was the appellate authority for the state's workers' compensation claims system. I got to know many of the state ALJs that held the hearings, and came to understand that whether they came from private practice or another government agency, they all loved their jobs. I didn't realize how rare this was in the legal profession until years later. If it interests you, take a stab at it. It may be the best job you've ever had.
And if I may say so in the for what it's worth category - trying to position yourself through your job experiences for a federal ALJ job may be a fool's errand. Nobody truly knows what the "path" really is anymore, and there's certainly no guarantees. Just stay vigilant and prepared for any announcement.
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Post by alohastate on Jul 12, 2021 18:24:07 GMT -5
I recommend pursuing a state ALJ position. When the Big Hire of 2017 didn’t pan out for me, I turned to state ALJ positions. I pro temmed as an ALJ in my state for a couple of years until a full-time position opened. I’ve had the full-time position since and I haven’t looked back. Without a doubt, the best job I’ve ever had. I hear a decent variety of cases and my team members are fabulous. alohastate , I know you’d be a fantastic ALJ, state or fed level! 😊 Thank you msp! I know you are killing it in your position! Enjoyed meeting up with you and your better (haha) half on the harbor front in Honolulu, hope we can meet again for a glass of wine by our favorite winemaker!! |
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Post by msp on Jul 14, 2021 15:57:28 GMT -5
That is a must, my friend! And next time, your better half must be part of the fun! 🤙🏻
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Post by alohastate on Jul 22, 2021 20:35:49 GMT -5
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