Social Security Administration Attorney Adviser Positions Forum

[zot1]

Not a problem!

See here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversig ... increases/

But also, I work in labor and have to know this for work.

[abogadesq]

From what I've gathered, unless you don't mind doing the same thing over and over again for the rest of your life earning capped pay at 80-100k, don't take one of these jobs (or, if you do, don't stay too long). You'll be dealing with bulk and boilerplate. It's a mill with case quotas and deadlines. Non-attorneys manage attorneys and even ALJs. After a while you won't be gaining or refining any skill that will make you marketable for other attorney positions. In fact, it will hurt you if you stay too long. In the federal agency spectrum, they are considered the least "prestigious" of attorney positions (except for ALJs, 80% of whom work in SSA). Same goes for attorney-advisor positions in OMHA (Medicare/Medicaid).

I would only take such a position so as to put your foot in the door to federal employment. Once you're a federal employee, you'll have access to a much greater number of position openings. The danger is being in the position too long. But again, if you're just looking for a steady job with decent pay and don't care about the work, then you would probably like it.

[Manali]

What are typical exit options after 2-3 years at an Attorney Adviser, encore?

Also, what is the pay like?

Exit options, I'm not sure. My wife still works there and I believe she wants to go for ALJ position, so she may be there for a while.

Pay depends on your region as the feds give you a COL allowance. In NYC, after about 4 years of working, my wife makes about 85k plus a yearly bonus.

How many years of experience are needed to be competitive for an ALJ position?

[encore1101]

What are typical exit options after 2-3 years at an Attorney Adviser, encore?

Also, what is the pay like?

Exit options, I'm not sure. My wife still works there and I believe she wants to go for ALJ position, so she may be there for a while.

Pay depends on your region as the feds give you a COL allowance. In NYC, after about 4 years of working, my wife makes about 85k plus a yearly bonus.

How many years of experience are needed to be competitive for an ALJ position?

7 years is the minimum, apparently.

[Manali]

What are typical exit options after 2-3 years at an Attorney Adviser, encore?

Also, what is the pay like?

Exit options, I'm not sure. My wife still works there and I believe she wants to go for ALJ position, so she may be there for a while.

Pay depends on your region as the feds give you a COL allowance. In NYC, after about 4 years of working, my wife makes about 85k plus a yearly bonus.

How many years of experience are needed to be competitive for an ALJ position?

7 years is the minimum, apparently.

What is the ALJ salary?

[anon sequitur]

Just to hop on with a quesiton about similar jobs, what about attorney advisor jobs for the Department of Veterans Board of Appeals? Similarly low-prestige, low-stress?

[Manali]

Just to hop on with a quesiton about similar jobs, what about attorney advisor jobs for the Department of Veterans Board of Appeals? Similarly low-prestige, low-stress?

Also interested. Did a lot of veterans law last summer at my legal aid gig.

[Anonymous User]

Just to hop on with a quesiton about similar jobs, what about attorney advisor jobs for the Department of Veterans Board of Appeals? Similarly low-prestige, low-stress?

Also interested. Did a lot of veterans law last summer at my legal aid gig.

I'm in this position now. I think they have the entry-level GS-11 position up on usajobs.gov for a few more days and I believe they're hiring a lot of people... something like 100, so it would be a good time to get in. Low prestige, low stress sounds about right. Strictly 40 hours per week with yearly raises, the option of overtime and flexiplace/telecommute after a year. Like SSA you are dealing with claims files and drafting decisions - in this case appellate decisions, to be signed by Veterans Law Judges. That's about all you do. Becoming a judge is possible after 6 or 7 years, and there are a limited number of other GS-15 positions. Some people just continue at GS-14 writing decisions for many years. Aside from that, exit options are unclear/kinda up to you.

[Anonymous User]

Just to hop on with a quesiton about similar jobs, what about attorney advisor jobs for the Department of Veterans Board of Appeals? Similarly low-prestige, low-stress?

Also interested. Did a lot of veterans law last summer at my legal aid gig.

I'm in this position now. I think they have the entry-level GS-11 position up on usajobs.gov for a few more days and I believe they're hiring a lot of people... something like 100, so it would be a good time to get in. Low prestige, low stress sounds about right. Strictly 40 hours per week with yearly raises, the option of overtime and flexiplace/telecommute after a year. Like SSA you are dealing with claims files and drafting decisions - in this case appellate decisions, to be signed by Veterans Law Judges. That's about all you do. Becoming a judge is possible after 6 or 7 years, and there are a limited number of other GS-15 positions. Some people just continue at GS-14 writing decisions for many years. Aside from that, exit options are unclear/kinda up to you.

Can you post the link? I can't seem to find it on usajobs...

[Manali]

Just to hop on with a quesiton about similar jobs, what about attorney advisor jobs for the Department of Veterans Board of Appeals? Similarly low-prestige, low-stress?

Also interested. Did a lot of veterans law last summer at my legal aid gig.

I'm in this position now. I think they have the entry-level GS-11 position up on usajobs.gov for a few more days and I believe they're hiring a lot of people... something like 100, so it would be a good time to get in. Low prestige, low stress sounds about right. Strictly 40 hours per week with yearly raises, the option of overtime and flexiplace/telecommute after a year. Like SSA you are dealing with claims files and drafting decisions - in this case appellate decisions, to be signed by Veterans Law Judges. That's about all you do. Becoming a judge is possible after 6 or 7 years, and there are a limited number of other GS-15 positions. Some people just continue at GS-14 writing decisions for many years. Aside from that, exit options are unclear/kinda up to you.

Can you post the link? I can't seem to find it on usajobs...

Yes, please post the link.

[zot1]

I'm in this position now. I think they have the entry-level GS-11 position up on usajobs.gov for a few more days and I believe they're hiring a lot of people... something like 100, so it would be a good time to get in. Low prestige, low stress sounds about right. Strictly 40 hours per week with yearly raises, the option of overtime and flexiplace/telecommute after a year. Like SSA you are dealing with claims files and drafting decisions - in this case appellate decisions, to be signed by Veterans Law Judges. That's about all you do. Becoming a judge is possible after 6 or 7 years, and there are a limited number of other GS-15 positions. Some people just continue at GS-14 writing decisions for many years. Aside from that, exit options are unclear/kinda up to you.

What's the promotion rate like?