[blindlaw] Federal ALJ Exam

[Elizabeth Rene]

Hi all,

I just tried to link to the website listed in this issue's announcement and 
found the USAJobs page closed.  But I then used my iPhone to find the same 
thing, searching for "USA Jobs Administrative Law Judge," and was taken 
right to the spot.  I also got an armload of other information about this 
position, the exam, and its history by searching "Federal ALJ Exam."  Highly 
recommended reading.

One good thing about this new register and exam is that all timely 
applications will be considered.  In the past, the register would close on 
the day of the submission of the 900th application, whenever that occurred.

A couple of  other caveats:

You have to have completed a full seven years of active litigation practice. 
This is described on the announcement, as well as non-qualifying experience.

Also, your license has to be active at the time you apply, throughout the 
application process, and while your name remains on the register of 
successful examinees.

 The exam includes an in-person interview by a "panel of experts" in 
Washington D.C., and a performance exam, before that, in either San 
Francisco, Chicago, or a third location I've already forgotten.  The 
announcement is exhaustive, and every detail counts.

Applicants must choose among the vacancy locations listed on the 
announcement to qualify for the register.  AS I recall, the locations posted 
this time are Santa Barbara, Cal., Denver, Col, Hartford, Conn., and Miami 
or Tampa, Florida.  But other registers can include U.S. territories, e.g. 
Puerto Rico.

Even though I meet the experience qualifications, I won't be in the running 
for this register because my current bar exam scores won't come in, 
(assuming I pass!) until late April, and  formal readmission won't happen 
until some time in May.  The absolute deadline for these Federal ALJ 
applications is March 15.  That's next Friday.

The application is long and complicated, and is supposed to take the average 
person at least one full day.

But the job itself, the salary and benefits, and apparently great job 
security, may make the work and stress connected with the process well worth 
the effort, especially for veterans, who get 5 to 10 extra points.  The 
minimum score is 60 out of 100.

I hope one of us undertakes this, and gets hired.

Good luck.

Elizabeth