Social Security Attorney Advisor Position

[ubrowp2]

I am considering applyling for the above-referenced position. Before I do, will someone please give me some information regarding what the job is like. Are the hours long? Is the workload reasonable? Is teleworking available? What about alternative work schedules? Do attorneys have offices or cubicles? Does the performance rating system work like that of other government agencies? (I am presently an attorney with another agency). How closely do attorneys work with ALJs? What percentage of attorney advisors eventually become ALJs?

I know that responses to my questions will be subjective to some extent. However, any information about the position will be greatly appreciated. The application deadline is tomorrow!

Pat

[damarohl]

Pat--

Hope the following isn't too late to do you any good.

The hours are usually quite reasonable and you do get overtime or credit for any extra you put in.  Overtime has not been mandatory, though at time and a half it is worth doing.  Production standards are not mandatory at the present time, though numbers have been proposed--I must say that I don't consider the proposed numbers too arduous either.

As usual, there would be some variance between offices, but telework is allowed two days a week.  Alternative work schedules are 4/10 or the more complicated one of working nine days out of the fortnight.  In some offices, they are flexible enough about credit time to make this irrelevant, but that varies.

I have been in a cubicle in the past, but the contract specifies offices and you would probably get one.  Performance ratings are pretty much pass fail at present.  Interaction with ALJs is variable but for the most part pretty limited-- you take a file and write a decision and that's about it.

The guy I had as my first supervisory attorney told me this is a decent job if you just want to pay the bills and have a life outside the office but if you live for your job or for promotion or have ambition, give it up.  He was right.  The hours are usually wonderfully flexible if you've a family or some fascinating demanding hobby, which is a nice benefit.

The  likelihood of getting an ALJ slot based on knowing SSA law from this job is minimal to nonexistent, unless you're a veteran.

The lack of promotion potential has changed somewhat with the creation of the senior attorney position but most of us are still stuck at GS-12.  I didn't have enough seniority to get an SA slot and I've got consistently good or excellent reviews since I joined this agency in 1987, so if I were you I would not hold my breath.  (If you were willing to relocate for promotion, you might have a better chance.) 

[Curious]

That sounds depressing. As a new law grad, there isn't a whole lot of quality opportunity out there. Could experience at ODAR at least serve as a starting point for a lateral to SSA OGC or Atty-Adv with another agency (HHS, DHS, DOJ)?

[jrh83]

It has been a very good job for me.  The pay is decent, especially if you live in a lower cost-of-living area.  It quickly passed my peak earnings in private practice (O.K., associates didn't earn much where I worked.)  Lots of private practice lawyers are jealous of my 40 hour week (in contrast to 55-70 hrs/wk in private practice and some other agencies), federal holidays, generous leave, lack of overhead, solid insurance and thrift savings [401k equivalent] plan with matching donations.  I have had time to help raise my kids, work with Scouts and youth sports, and volunteer with other organizations.  It has lots of frustrations, but so does every job I've ever had or heard of!

Upward mobility is not easy, but not impossible.  I still suspect your drive, ability and effort are the most important factors.  If your're stymied locally, you need the drive to look outside...

[damarohl]

I don't think much of chances for a lateral transfer to another agency, as that was my idea when I came here and it really hasn't worked out at all.  I don't think current government employment with any agency gives any additional leverage in terms of being hired by another unless you're being downsized by your current agency.

When I came into SSA from the D.A.'s office, I promised myself I'd stay here for two years to establish better stability in my employment record before applying to anything else.  That was in 1987 and I now regard that promise with a somewhat rueful laugh. 

"Upward mobillity is not easy but not impossible".  Right about the first part.  As far as drive, ability, and effort being the most important factors, I think the previous correspondent forgot to mention the primary factor of seniority.  By and large, the Senior Attorney promotions will go to the people who've been there the longest, though it does appear that threatening a grievance procedure can help.

On the other hand, the pay is decent, the hours good, and this is about as low-stress as any legal job I've ever had, and I was in the private sector for seven years before I came here.  Compared to most of the friends from law school that I've stayed in touch with, I think I have it good.  Still, this is not the place for anybody with any considerable ambition, as that'll just give you clinical depression.  Not joking; I have known SSA staff attorneys who've wound up being hospitalized and even taking medical disability.

[Curious]

You've been at ODAR since 1987 and still haven't made Senior Attorney? WTF. I've heard of some AA's making SA within 3-4 years of joining.

Would your chances at promotion improve had you been willing to relocate to another hearing office?

[damarohl]

Being willing or able to relocate certainly can improve your chances for promotion.  This is an extremely small branch office with just one SA slot and when it was created somebody else with more seniority than I transferred in to take it.  C'est la vie.

[tater]

Pat--

Hope the following isn't too late to do you any good.

The hours are usually quite reasonable and you do get overtime or credit for any extra you put in.  Overtime has not been mandatory, though at time and a half it is worth doing.  Production standards are not mandatory at the present time, though numbers have been proposed--I must say that I don't consider the proposed numbers too arduous either.

As usual, there would be some variance between offices, but telework is allowed two days a week.  Alternative work schedules are 4/10 or the more complicated one of working nine days out of the fortnight.  In some offices, they are flexible enough about credit time to make this irrelevant, but that varies.

I have been in a cubicle in the past, but the contract specifies offices and you would probably get one.  Performance ratings are pretty much pass fail at present.  Interaction with ALJs is variable but for the most part pretty limited-- you take a file and write a decision and that's about it.

The guy I had as my first supervisory attorney told me this is a decent job if you just want to pay the bills and have a life outside the office but if you live for your job or for promotion or have ambition, give it up.  He was right.  The hours are usually wonderfully flexible if you've a family or some fascinating demanding hobby, which is a nice benefit.

The  likelihood of getting an ALJ slot based on knowing SSA law from this job is minimal to nonexistent, unless you're a veteran.

The lack of promotion potential has changed somewhat with the creation of the senior attorney position but most of us are still stuck at GS-12.  I didn't have enough seniority to get an SA slot and I've got consistently good or excellent reviews since I joined this agency in 1987, so if I were you I would not hold my breath.  (If you were willing to relocate for promotion, you might have a better chance.) 

I would second this description as it is exactly correct. 15 years here. If you are tired of billing hours, go for it!