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Post by Musician lawyer guy on Feb 5, 2024 14:58:15 GMT -5
Any prediction from anyone on when the next NEW ALJ job announcement will be made via the USAJOBS website?
This will be my third go-round whenever it does happen -- having suffered the same fate the first two times which was not wording my now 25 years of experience properly enough for the powers that be to conclude that I had the requisite 7 years experience in this area. (which I do).
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Post by neufenland on Feb 5, 2024 21:26:39 GMT -5
I think my best non-snarky guess is 2025.
Everything I predicted with respect to the 2022 announcement was wrong, though, so don’t trust my guesses for anything.
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Post by Musician lawyer guy on Feb 6, 2024 11:05:17 GMT -5
There as a new announcement in 2022? on usajobs? must have missed that ...
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Post by neufenland on Feb 6, 2024 11:16:22 GMT -5
There as a new announcement in 2022? on usajobs? must have missed that ... Yes. It wasn’t even live for one full day before the max number of applications were received. It is still technically active, but I highly doubt there would be another hire off of it (there have been two; one in 2022, and one in 2023). Whenever the agency hires again, I’d assume a new announcement on USAJOBS. From the scuttlebutt in other threads, it doesn’t appear as if the agency is in any hurry in that respect. Check the boards casually, but not obsessively, for rumors. |
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Post by Maria C. on Feb 6, 2024 17:21:19 GMT -5
For what it’s worth, in December, i asked our HOD if there was any word on upcoming hiring of ALJs to our office (we’ve lost 3 recently- retirements, transfer, etc.) and the reply was no - between budget & case decline, they are not forecasting any hires.
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Post by badger on Feb 6, 2024 18:10:52 GMT -5
For what it’s worth, in December, i asked our HOD if there was any word on upcoming hiring of ALJs to our office (we’ve lost 3 recently- retirements, transfer, etc.) and the reply was no - between budget & case decline, they are not forecasting any hires. I don't think the HODs know anymore than anyone else at the Agency. Anything is a guess at this point. If you look back at the thread from last year there was an anonymous post saying that an RCALJ said there would be no hiring in FY23 and then interview invites went out about a month later. There is also a post from last January saying the judicial management said in a meeting that hiring was planned for FY23 and FY24. 1200 ALJs was the alleged threshold for hiring. Where are the numbers at this year? |
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Post by valard on Feb 7, 2024 10:38:56 GMT -5
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Post by Musician lawyer guy on Feb 7, 2024 13:55:32 GMT -5
Do I understand that there was an ALJ announcement in 2022 -- that 5000+ people applied for it within 24 hours -- the job listing was closed -- and that from that process, only TWO ALJ's were hired?  |
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Post by neufenland on Feb 7, 2024 15:07:30 GMT -5
Do I understand that there was an ALJ announcement in 2022 -- that 5000+ people applied for it within 24 hours -- the job listing was closed -- and that from that process, only TWO ALJ's were hired? It was limited to 1,000 applicants, but yes, they all applied within 24 hours. There were two “hires” in the sense that there were two rounds of hiring off of the announcement. About 55 in 2022 and 35 in 2023 were hired as ALJs. |
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td37
Full Member
Posts: 43 
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Post by td37 on Feb 7, 2024 19:42:17 GMT -5
It certainly wasn't open for 24 hours. They got 1000 applications and the posting closed within about 9 hours.
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Post by fedworker2 on Feb 19, 2024 0:56:06 GMT -5
I was one of the many unfortunates unable to get my application submitted in the less than 24 hours the 2022 usajobs posting was live. But in preparing for the next opening, I have a few still unanswered questions after extensive browsing of past threads: 1. Did a cover letter improve your chances of getting an interview? I assume the required assessment questions were a substitute for cover letter, but I sometimes second guess myself.
2. Did you submit your undergrad transcript, along with law school transcript?
3. Is SSA decision writing considered "preparing opinions" as referred to in the "qualifying administrative law experience" section of the job announcement? Were there any issues stemming from the possible distinction between an opinion and a decision? |
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Post by neufenland on Feb 19, 2024 10:01:16 GMT -5
I was one of the many unfortunates unable to get my application submitted in the less than 24 hours the 2022 usajobs posting was live. But in preparing for the next opening, I have a few still unanswered questions after extensive browsing of past threads: 1. Did a cover letter improve your chances of getting an interview? I assume the required assessment questions were a substitute for cover letter, but I sometimes second guess myself.
2. Did you submit your undergrad transcript, along with law school transcript?
3. Is SSA decision writing considered "preparing opinions" as referred to in the "qualifying administrative law experience" section of the job announcement? Were there any issues stemming from the possible distinction between an opinion and a decision? 1. I can’t remember if I submitted one, but I also doubt that it would make the difference if it isn’t required. 2. No 3. Yes. It’s not my experience, but it is for plenty of other folks. Decision=opinion as far as I’m concerned. |
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Post by anciano on Feb 19, 2024 10:34:37 GMT -5
Probably no outside hires in the foreseeable future. With continuing attrition, there eventually will be a need. However, that need may be fullfilled by transfers from other Agencies, as those individuals will have a priority for future hiring. USAjobs remains the principal vehicle for outside ALJ hiring, so monitoring of that website remains a viable option. There is a new COSS and an election in 9 months, so anything is possible. Like Daniel Webster said about the weather, "If you don't like it, wait a minute and it will change". Good luck to all who perservere, it is worth the wait.
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Post by badger on Feb 19, 2024 11:47:13 GMT -5
I was one of the many unfortunates unable to get my application submitted in the less than 24 hours the 2022 usajobs posting was live. But in preparing for the next opening, I have a few still unanswered questions after extensive browsing of past threads: 1. Did a cover letter improve your chances of getting an interview? I assume the required assessment questions were a substitute for cover letter, but I sometimes second guess myself.
2. Did you submit your undergrad transcript, along with law school transcript?
3. Is SSA decision writing considered "preparing opinions" as referred to in the "qualifying administrative law experience" section of the job announcement? Were there any issues stemming from the possible distinction between an opinion and a decision? 1) I didn't submit one and got an interview. 2) I submitted both. 3) Yes. |
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Post by neufenland on Feb 19, 2024 12:08:07 GMT -5
Probably no outside hires in the foreseeable future. With continuing attrition, there eventually will be a need. However, that need may be fullfilled by transfers from other Agencies, as those individuals will have a priority for future hiring. USAjobs remains the principal vehicle for outside ALJ hiring, so monitoring of that website remains a viable option. There is a new COSS and an election in 9 months, so anything is possible. Like Daniel Webster said about the weather, "If you don't like it, wait a minute and it will change". Good luck to all who perservere, it is worth the wait. Do ALJs typically come from other agencies to SSA? The other way around, sure, but I’ve not heard that it was common to move to SSA from somewhere else. |
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Post by hopefalj on Feb 19, 2024 12:31:20 GMT -5
Probably no outside hires in the foreseeable future. With continuing attrition, there eventually will be a need. However, that need may be fullfilled by transfers from other Agencies, as those individuals will have a priority for future hiring. USAjobs remains the principal vehicle for outside ALJ hiring, so monitoring of that website remains a viable option. There is a new COSS and an election in 9 months, so anything is possible. Like Daniel Webster said about the weather, "If you don't like it, wait a minute and it will change". Good luck to all who perservere, it is worth the wait. Do ALJs typically come from other agencies to SSA? The other way around, sure, but I’ve not heard that it was common to move to SSA from somewhere else. Not too often, but if there are concerns about a possible RIF and overall job security, that could very well change in the near term. |
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Post by neufenland on Feb 19, 2024 13:22:50 GMT -5
Do ALJs typically come from other agencies to SSA? The other way around, sure, but I’ve not heard that it was common to move to SSA from somewhere else. Not too often, but if there are concerns about a possible RIF and overall job security, that could very well change in the near term. How realistic is the RIF threat with OMHA, though? RIFs are super rare and are extraordinary remedies. I would think HHS will do most anything to avoid it. But, in that vein, I guess voluntary pre-RIF movement to SSA might be on the table. The idea being that if enough people go to SSA, it will help stave off calls for a RIF. |
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Post by christina on Feb 19, 2024 20:40:37 GMT -5
Not too often, but if there are concerns about a possible RIF and overall job security, that could very well change in the near term. How realistic is the RIF threat with OMHA, though? RIFs are super rare and are extraordinary remedies. I would think HHS will do most anything to avoid it. But, in that vein, I guess voluntary pre-RIF movement to SSA might be on the table. The idea being that if enough people go to SSA, it will help stave off calls for a RIF. Last I heard it’s anything goes at OMHA these days so I would not rule out a RIF. |
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Post by rmspringfield on Feb 20, 2024 1:08:48 GMT -5
I was one of the many unfortunates unable to get my application submitted in the less than 24 hours the 2022 usajobs posting was live. But in preparing for the next opening, I have a few still unanswered questions after extensive browsing of past threads: 1. Did a cover letter improve your chances of getting an interview? I assume the required assessment questions were a substitute for cover letter, but I sometimes second guess myself.
2. Did you submit your undergrad transcript, along with law school transcript?
3. Is SSA decision writing considered "preparing opinions" as referred to in the "qualifying administrative law experience" section of the job announcement? Were there any issues stemming from the possible distinction between an opinion and a decision? I don’t think these answers run afoul of anything we’re not supposed to discuss re the hiring process because they apply to every federal job application so here’s my .02. 1. If the job announcement doesn’t list it don’t submit it. If they ask for it in the next job announcement it’s good to have one prepared and ready to go but if it’s not required you’re not likely to have a way to submit it anyway. If you do submit it and they didn’t want it it’s just more pages they have to sort through. 2. again read the job announcement carefully and only submit what they want. This last one I think only asked for law school info so that’s what I sent. Some jobs I’ve applied to with the feds wanted everything post high school so that’s what I sent. 3. yes. Every SSA ALJ class has a high percentage of former SSA decision writers. That experience counts. |
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Post by maineiac on Feb 20, 2024 10:50:16 GMT -5
I would bet that half of the judges at OMHA, like at SSA, currently have the years in, plus age to retire with a full package. Probably lots of retirements rather than a RIF for judges at OMHA, but just a guess. OMHA attorneys are fleeing like rats on a sinking ship with the blessing/encouragement of the agency.
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