20+ Questions about life as an ALJ

[zero]

These questions mostly concern the SSA ALJ positions but all those in the know are encouraged to chime in!

1. How much travel is involved? What would be the reasons for travel?
2. Are hearing always held in the same place or do they locate them to be near the claimant?
3. What kind of training opportunities are available?
4. How long do you need to work as an ALJ before you can request a geographic transfer?
5. Do ALJs get bonuses or merit raises?
6. Who is the "boss" for an ALJ? Is this person on site or in a regional office?
7. Is there a transcript of each hearing from which the judge can write his decision or is it simply audio tape?
8. Do judges get along with each other or is the environment foster competition/hostility?
9. Do judges have private offices or do they get cubicles?
10. What's the policy regarding telework?
11. With whom does an ALJ work most closely?
12. Are there other alternative work schedule arrangements available (e.g. 4x10 hour days)?
13. What is the typical hearing "courtroom" look like? Is it a conference room with a table or something more formal?
14. How long does a typical hearing take?
15. How does the training/orientation of a new judge work?
16. What is the typical office dress code for judges? Suits? Ties but no jacket? Nice shirts but no tie?
17. What is the most common mistake made by new judges?
18. Do all ALJ locations allow credit hours?
19. How does the Agency handle/store/use hearing records? I've heard it's an electronic system. Has this been a time saver?
20. Does an ALJ position lead to more opportunities or is it pretty much the end of the line?

[southerner]

1. It varies according to the office. I have not traveled since I commenced, but next week I am in Houston for a week. With realignment, we added southwest corner of the state, so anticipate more travel in future.
2. Usually held in office or via video, but can be held at a remore site, if office has one or more of them.
3. 4 weeks upon appointment in Baltimore. One more week 1 year into job. Unknown after that.
4. At least 2 years for ODAR, unless HOCALJ opportunity presents itself.
5. No--prohibited.
6. HOCALJ acts as office chief for administrative functions, but we do not have a boss per se.
7. Not a transcript, unless there is an appeal. There is a compilation by hearing reporter, but the compilation quality varies.
8. We get along fine in my office, though I have heard there are occasional personality conflicts elsewhere. I would not think that would be a major or systemic problem.
9. Private offices per contract.
10. No flexiplace till 1 year as SSA judge, unless prior experience as judge then it is 6 months.
11. That varies, but for me it is the scheduling component.
12. Yes, 5/4/9 and 4/10 per contract.
13. Some with dais and some without.
14. That varies also. rarely do my hearings last longer than 45-50 minutes.
15. Depends on experience. Prior agency people have 4 months to before being counted as full-time judge for stat purposes. Non-agency hires get 9 months (similar to gestation).
16. Some wear suits, some wear button-downs with ties for hearings, some go casual when they don't have hearings set that day, and some wear jeans and button-down in my office (there is no dress code per se, but each office may have informal customs).
17. Failure to admit evidence is rookie mistake--usually HR or VE will remind subtly.
18. Most offices do and should be able to per contract, but I inderstand some offices are reluctant in this regard.
19. Views differ, but I like e-files.
20. HOCALJ or RCALJ and other positions are possible, but they are more limited in numbers.

[zero]

southerner: Thanks for taking the time to answer those questions. Those answers were really helpful. Anyone else have a different take?

[judicature]

southerner's experience is generally consistent with my own.

To supplement a bit, if you get selected to be HOCALJ, then you get a one time pay boost to the next pay level. If the promotion to HOCALJ requires a move, then SSA has traditionally paid for the move. Transfers to line ALJ positions are at the ALJ's expense, however, not SSA's. Also, there is no assurance of a transfer after 2 years. Per the union contract, you are allowed to put your name on a transfer list after 2 years service, but there may be one or many more ALJ's already on the list for your preferred city or cities who will be ahead of you in line for any transfer.

While not a transcript, the digital audio recording of the hearing is pretty cool; the hearing reporter summary of the hearing contains hyper links to the digital recording - depending on the quality of the summary, you can pretty quickly listen to the testimony of interest. I have found it handy when my notes have proven inadequate.

While you may not have a boss in the traditional sense, you nevertheless remain accountable; rest assured that if you wholly fail to do your job or engage in a crime of moral turpitude, the agency can seek your removal from office through the National Merit Systems Protection Board (the devil is in the details). Union representation may be available should the agency seek your removal.

[baseball14]

Just a few comments:
1. I love our office. I was a federal , state and private practice atty and ALJ and the office is the best. The HOCALJ is a fine man and really helpful.No one i dogs it and we all do over the requested limit. If I were you Id do as many Video hearings as possible, get excited about the changes and learn how to do FIT, writing your own opinions often. Some judges like to travel, half dont. The main thing is to "get into" the job...learn the CPMS, and learn to give instructions online. In my opinion, this is thebest job in the Fed Govt. The pay is awesome and you really have the opportunity, if he or she has shown in the case evidence, to "do" justice and take a huge burden off a fellow human. We decide "money or no money" and "health care or no health care." You must follow the law, but always treat the person nice, be kind, look at the med records close, confront contradictions in testimony, and really work hard to do your part in cutting the backlog. Remember, this may be the only lime this person ever will be in court. At least make them say that they got respect from the system.