A question for the 2008 hires

[barkley]

Now that you have been an ALJ for several months, is the job what you thought it would be? How are you liking it? Regret putting "all" locations? How is it reviewing the decision written for you? Feel more or less pressure than expected?

Just curious if any of y'all are still checking in and how things were going.

[buckeye]

I started in April after many years in private practice. I think its terrific. I thoroughly enjoy working on the files, holding hearings and making a difference in others' lives. I have written a number of my own decisions, but also work well with the writers.

I was lucky enough to get the one city I listed.

I've been interested in some of the comments from others about the nature of the job. Anyone that comes into this position, not foreseeing the red tape and government mentality hadn't thought carefully about it. Its certainly no more than I expected.

On balance, after all those years, chasing new business, worrying about payroll, returning endless phone calls from clients asking the same questions, etc, etc, this is a great opportunity for me. Others may disagree, but I think that for as long as it takes to go after one of these positions, there's no real excuse for not knowing what you're getting into.

[shadow]

I'm one of the 2008 hires. Was in Kansas City with SSA OGC, said I would go anywhere...turns out Cleveland is part of anywhere, and that's where I ended up. Had never been to Cleveland in my life, but I like it very much. Born & raised in St. Louis, in KC the last eleven years - people in Cleveland are pretty much like the folks in Missouri and Kansas - - most of them are good people. No culture shock at all. The weather has been lovely - hear the winter here can be challenging - lake effect snow and all that. We'll see.

Absolutely love the job - we are very busy, but that's fine with me. Great, hard working office, good staff, excellent writers for the most part. I really enjoy doing the hearings - meeting new people everyday. Downside, I suppose, is the bureaucratic nonsense familiar to anyone who has worked in [or had to deal with] a government agency. Of course, you'll never get rich working here, but the money is pretty good and you can accomplish what's expected of you without working 80 plus hour weeks like many in private practice.

There is a push to handle 500 to 700 cases a year to reduce and eventually eliminate the huge disability backlog. Some claimants are waiting three years for a hearing, which is patently ridiculous. Whose fault the backlog is is a bone of contention, but I'm not going there.

I've been doing hearings for about four months now, and through today have disposed of about 140 cases - mostly hearings with decisions on the merits, but some dismissals as well. So I'm below even a 500 pace right now. We will see how much I speed up with more experience. I don't mind working hard, on the one hand, but am not going to sacrifice due process for the claimants on the altar of production.

Bottom line - it's a great job and I am very happy to have it. Would be happy to answer any specific questions, if I know the answers. Best wishes to all of the ALJ candidates out there.

[george007]

Shadow,
I have heard of you (I am in a different agency, but my best buddy used to work with you). Very glad to hear you are doing well! I'm taking the WD/SI in the next couple of months. I'm sticking with KC which will probably really limit me, but what can you do when your family situation dictates you stay here? Take care!

[shadow]

Good luck George! I haven't been following the process very closely, is KC one of the locations hiring this time around?

[bettrlatethannevr]

I came to the position this year with nearly identical background and circumstances as buckeye, and I would concur with every one of his comments.

[lurker]

It's better than I expected - but as a longtime fed, the bureaucracy didn't / doesn't phase me. Despite the fact that I'm commuting 5 hours / day (as opposed to my old job, where I had a 20-minute walk to work), I wouldn't go back. The people around me (support staff, management, other judges) have been helpful and supportive, the issues of law (this is a whole new field for me) are quite interesting, I am always busy but rarely overwhelmed and conducting hearings (even nonadversarial hearings - which, as a litigator, I was leery about) has been a fascinating experience.

I am finding the learning curve a bit daunting and I am struggling to get my production to the point that my HOCALJ would like to see - but overall, it's been a good transition and I have no regrets.

[oldjag]

I have been at this job a long time, and my memory is not as good as it used to be, at least according to my kids . But with working with other judges through the years, it takes about 120 hearings to "fill the pipeline" and have cases come to you on a flow basis. Even for SSA attorneys, this side of the bench takes some getting used to. However, have no fear--in a few more months this will get a lot easier as you get used to doing the job. Just remember to keep a good sense of balance, and really try to do the work on a flow basis when you can.

By this I mean to try and get edits done as soon as they are written--try to work on them every day. Making your own corrections earns points with the staff and gets your work done faster and the way you want it. Everything takes more time than you realize. After you sign, the case must be routed, copies printed for the claimant etc. Waiting until the last day of the month or even the last week creates problems.

Getting things out in priority helps too. For example, if you have cases in edit and hearings the next week, do the edits first then prep the cases. While you are doing the prep the staff can do the corrections (if you haven't done them yourself) and by the end of the week you can sign and be done. Then while you are in hearings the cases are being closed and sent out. This helps eliminate the horrid end of the month rush which just burns staff out.

Good luck to all of you. I know Cleveland can be snowy in the winter but nothing can beat a KC ice storm for fun--especially when you plane is the last one to be able to land in it and the taxi slides it's way to the city. ;D

If you have any questions or issues, take them to your HOCJ, or if that is the problem, to one of the other judges in the office you respect. As one of my former teachers, Tommie Dean Capshaw was fond of saying, the mind is a powerful thing. It can make a heaven out of hell or a hell out of heaven. Just spit out the watermelon seeds and enjoy the job.

P.S. Thanks, Pixie--it's nice to know that someone doesn't think I'm old. It is so much fun being the owner of a high maintenance body.

[aaa]

I absolutely love this job. I had only indicated 4 cities on my geographical preferences knowing full well at least 2 would not be getting ALJs. When the locations came up in SSA, only 2 were left on my list - home and another 3 hours away. I knew the office 3 hours away had gotten a transfer in from reading this board so that left home or nowhere, and home was really the only place I wanted to be. I found myself extremely blessed to be selected for my own office and it is great. It was a good transition.

For me, I could not have put "all" cities. Getting the job was important but not as important as my home and family and friends - I wasn't willing to give up what I have here to be selected. Thankfully for me I didn't have to experience that.

[lee]

The job is worth the effort, time & expense that you have to go thru to get on the register. I started with Lurker, and agree with her comments. I was a state alj, so I understand big dockets and the quirkiness of working for the government. Those things were not surprises. However, I did not know anything about Social Security law.
The training for the new judges in Baltimore really was excellent. Not only did it prepare me for the legal issues which will govern 90% of my cases, but it also contained an excellent primer on docket management. I think that my productivity is good for a relative novice. However, I need to find the time for more study--to learn about the legal issues that do not come up very often.
Finally, e-files and the FIT decisional shells really seem to be the future with this agency. If you receive an offer in this next round of hirings, be prepared to learn to navigate thru this system. I certainly have not mastered it, but I am making progress.
Good luck to everyone.

[deaddisco]

I'm only really been at this job a month post baltimore. so far this is a fun and interesting job, but don't be fooled. the learning curve is steep and the job is more difficult than it seems.

[arlene25]

Lee, the senior attorneys are a good source for the quirky issues re retirement, etc. and other issues that don't come up too often. They can also research issues for you.

[lurker]

I suspect my classmates lee and bettrlatethanever will agree with me - the best resources I've found for the pesky questions that continue to dog me on my slow ascent up the learning curve have been my fellow classmates from the Baltimore training. They have been far more helpful than my HOCALJ, my official ALJ mentor and, well, I've heard that my office has senior attorneys, but I confess, I don't know that I've met them yet. So I turn to my classmates and they never fail to lend a hand (or a thoughtful email)

[lee]

I agree with Lurker--our classmates are an invaluable resource. Because these classes are made up of people with such diverse experience, there is always someone who knows the answer. Plus, it is not as embarrassing to ask them. In a pinch, you can shoot off an e-mail during a hearing and get a quick answer back immediately.
lee

[southerner]

I agree wholeheartedly. The camaraderie of our class in Baltimore and since, I think, is exceptional. We e-mail the group often and to have such a ready resource available during hearings or just to discuss different ways to consider issues is remarkable and quite beneficial.

Go P & D!

[bettrlatethannevr]

I agree completely. It's a wonderful contrast from other types of positions (attorneys at private practice come to mind), where people who start out together try to be collegial but in a deeper sense consider themselves competitive. Other new ALJs with absolutely no personal interest in helping me and others with questions have always been very giving of their time, thoughts, experiences, etc. BLTN

[appellant]

That created logistical problems (spouses' jobs, selling houses in today's housing market, kids in school, etc.).

I thought the relocation package included a guaranteed sale of your house. Is that correct? If so, how did that work?

[nonamouse]

Appellant,

You should search the older threads that discuss relocation. The relocation process is available on the intranet if you are a current SSA employee. It was apparently a giant hassle for many people, although I did not need it. I cannot even remember if it applied to people coming from outside of the federal government as a new hire.

[justfoundthisboard]

You are only eligible for the relocation package if you are a current federal employee at the time of your appointment as an ALJ. SSA bought our house through Prudential Relocation. They gave us a fair (not great) price and they also paid 10% of our closing costs on the sale and 5% on the purchase of a new home, so we made out great in the end.. It wasn't easy, but our relocation counselor was good. I know that others on this board were not so fortunate.

Moving was tough, but I wanted this job. I did not select "all" locations, but I did put down quite a few. We discussed each location on the list, and even did internet research in the few hours we had before I submitted my application. We were in the D.C. area, and ended up in Cleveland (with Shadow! ;D). I went to law school here 30 years ago, so it was a knowing choice. It took a few months for my spouse to find a job, but he now has a great position. My daughter loves her new school.

I was also fortunate to be in the BEST class in Baltimore - with Lee, Lurker, Southerner, and several others on this board. Everyone is still there for each other, which helps A LOT! Being from outside SSA, the learning curve has been steep. I left my home and a job that I loved, but I think that accepting this position has been the best job decision I have ever made.

Best of luck to all those who are in the process now!

[george007]

Shadow -- I have no clue if they're hiring in KC, but that's the only place I can be right now (LONG family story). Ice storms, ah, love them, but they're not here THAT often! Plus, I grew up here. Used to it!