DOJ Honors Program 2014-15 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Is there any merit to the theory that OCIJ is giving offers first to people who said they would not go anywhere?

[Anonymous User]

Is there any merit to the theory that OCIJ is giving offers first to people who said they would not go anywhere?

From the looks of the spreadsheet, it seems like offers are for those who have immigration experience and are in T20 schools; doesn't look like a pattern regarding the willingness to go anywhere, but who knows? My guess though is that it's the more standard stuff; they've probably got a line-up based on standard criteria where they're just going down the line.

[Anonymous User]

Is there any merit to the theory that OCIJ is giving offers first to people who said they would not go anywhere?

From the looks of the spreadsheet, it seems like offers are for those who have immigration experience and are in T20 schools; doesn't look like a pattern regarding the willingness to go anywhere, but who knows? My guess though is that it's the more standard stuff; they've probably got a line-up based on standard criteria where they're just going down the line.

My references were checked and I said I would not go anywhere. So I don't think that is the exact theory. I tend to agree with the second post, where those who have immigration experience and are from T20 schools are getting offers first. I do not fit into either category so I am still hoping I will get an offer once they go down the line and get to me. I know Deana said the hiring process is complex but it would be nice to receive more information about it. The waiting is awful, especially with finals and the holidays. I want to be able to shift my focus onto making connections and whatnot if I don't get this job...

[catinthewall]

Has anyone who has accepted an ATR offer received a written offer or anything relating to starting the clearance paperwork? Thanks in advance.

Never mind! Received an email today!

[Anonymous User]

I cant update the spreadsheet from my phone, but I just got an OCIJ offer for Los Angeles and am pretty positive I will accept. I see someone else already accepted for this office, so I look forward to meeting you!

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know what pay grade JLCs start at with OCIJ?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know what pay grade JLCs start at with OCIJ?

GS-11 and then, assuming you pass the bar, you go up to a GS-12 after about 6 months. It's "discretionary" though so it may take more than 6 months for paperwork to be processed.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know what pay grade JLCs start at with OCIJ?

GS-11 and then, assuming you pass the bar, you go up to a GS-12 after about 6 months. It's "discretionary" though so it may take more than 6 months for paperwork to be processed.

Thanks. If I start at GS-12, do you know if I'd go to GS-13 after 6 months? Or would it be GS 12 step 2?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know what pay grade JLCs start at with OCIJ?

GS-11 and then, assuming you pass the bar, you go up to a GS-12 after about 6 months. It's "discretionary" though so it may take more than 6 months for paperwork to be processed.

Thanks. If I start at GS-12, do you know if I'd go to GS-13 after 6 months? Or would it be GS 12 step 2?

Though it depends on discretionary factors just as budget and performance reviews, there's also job responsibilities such as supervisory roles that come with being a GS-13 that may not be within the scope of work as a JLC.

My guess is that even if you inquire with HR, they will not be able to provide an answer at this time because pay increases are subject to performance reviews which you simply won't have now.

Also, as a current GS-12, I can tell you that you do not go up to GS-12 step 2 in six months.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know what pay grade JLCs start at with OCIJ?

GS-11 and then, assuming you pass the bar, you go up to a GS-12 after about 6 months. It's "discretionary" though so it may take more than 6 months for paperwork to be processed.

Thanks. If I start at GS-12, do you know if I'd go to GS-13 after 6 months? Or would it be GS 12 step 2?

Though it depends on discretionary factors just as budget and performance reviews, there's also job responsibilities such as supervisory roles that come with being a GS-13 that may not be within the scope of work as a JLC.

My guess is that even if you inquire with HR, they will not be able to provide an answer at this time because pay increases are subject to performance reviews which you simply won't have now.

Also, as a current GS-12, I can tell you that you do not go up to GS-12 step 2 in six months.

Actually, you might hit 13 in six months -- at least according to this: http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/at ... d-benefits

I'm going in as a GS-12 because I'm in a one-year clerkship. It will be nice to hit GS-13 shortly thereafter.

[Anonymous User]

This is for the comment above.

As a current JLC in EOIR, I can tell you that all the positions on that site doesn't necessary apply. For example, ASLRP doesn't apply because you're not in a permanent attorney position. The benefits on that site apply in general to DOJ attorneys which includes permanents positions (think ATR, etc.)

While in EOIR both as an intern and now JLC/AA, I have not heard of anyone getting promoted to a GS-13 in six months, which probably has to do with work responsibilities as well because as a first year JLC, you won't be supervising anyone.

[Anonymous User]

Ohh. I didn't know that EOIR was different. I assumed everyone was a permanent hire and subject to the same salary/promotion system.

[Anonymous User]

Ohh. I didn't know that EOIR was different. I assumed everyone was a permanent hire and subject to the same salary/promotion system.

For EOIR and I believe for DEA clerkships, your SF-50 will state NTE date (not to exceed). For your reference, if you go on USAJobs and look at the postings, if you look at the grade/step they're hiring at, you'll also see a promotion potential. Not every posting will go up to 15 so depending on the nature of the position and the responsibilities, it might go from 11 to 13, 12 to 14, 12 to 15, etc.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know reasons for additional reference requests?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know reasons for additional reference requests?

My guess is that they had trouble reaching one of your references or the reference didn't answer back by the deadline.

[Anonymous User]

Any ATR finalists still hanging around? Any new information? Today's the 28-day deadline for those who heard on 11/17. Maybe we'll see some more offers soon.

[Anonymous User]

Also, as a current GS-12, I can tell you that you do not go up to GS-12 step 2 in six months.[/quote]

Actually, you might hit 13 in six months -- at least according to this: http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/at ... d-benefits

I'm going in as a GS-12 because I'm in a one-year clerkship. It will be nice to hit GS-13 shortly thereafter.[/quote]

I would be willing to bet that you won't. I know several JLCs who came in with clerkships and started as GS-11s anyway. I have never heard of a JLC going up to a GS-13, even with performance reviews that could not have been more positive. When you accept the JLC position, I would advise that you expect that you'll be at a GS-11 for six months and then a GS-12 for the remaining year and a half and budget accordingly.

[Anonymous User]

Some may already know about this but I just found it last week. You can look up federal salaries here: http://fedsdatacenter.com/federal-pay-rates/

If you know of people at different stages of their career at a certain agency, you can start to get a sense of how quickly you can move up and salaries.

[Anonymous User]

Any ATR finalists still hanging around? Any new information? Today's the 28-day deadline for those who heard on 11/17. Maybe we'll see some more offers soon.

Still hanging around here as well. I was just counting the 28-day timeline the other day myself. Hoping to hear something this week. This limbo state has been grueling.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have insight regarding the loan repayment program and JLCs? Are we eligible for the program, or do we have to wait until after the 2 years and find a position with a 3 year commitment?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have insight regarding the loan repayment program and JLCs? Are we eligible for the program, or do we have to wait until after the 2 years and find a position with a 3 year commitment?

Currently JLC here. You're not eligible so you'd have to wait 2 years and find a position with a min. 3 year commitment, aka a permanent position

[Anonymous User]

I would be willing to bet that you won't. I know several JLCs who came in with clerkships and started as GS-11s anyway. I have never heard of a JLC going up to a GS-13, even with performance reviews that could not have been more positive. When you accept the JLC position, I would advise that you expect that you'll be at a GS-11 for six months and then a GS-12 for the remaining year and a half and budget accordingly.

I am in a clerkship right now. I was told I would be entering at GS-12 and was given the starting salary including locality pay. So I'll just assume that I won't see any sort of bump up in grade/step during my 2 year stint.

Does anyone know if flex time is available for JLCs or what the schedule/avg number of hours worked per week is?

[Anonymous User]

I would be willing to bet that you won't. I know several JLCs who came in with clerkships and started as GS-11s anyway. I have never heard of a JLC going up to a GS-13, even with performance reviews that could not have been more positive. When you accept the JLC position, I would advise that you expect that you'll be at a GS-11 for six months and then a GS-12 for the remaining year and a half and budget accordingly.

I am in a clerkship right now. I was told I would be entering at GS-12 and was given the starting salary including locality pay. So I'll just assume that I won't see any sort of bump up in grade/step during my 2 year stint.

Does anyone know if flex time is available for JLCs or what the schedule/avg number of hours worked per week is?

All of the courts I'm aware of offer the alternative work schedule where you work longer hours but have one day off every other week as well as one day where you leave 1 hour early. So, for every 10 days, you work 8 days at your normal schedule (9.5 hrs a day), 1 short day (8.5 hrs), and then have the 10th day off. Personally, I LOVE this schedule. If your regular off day is a holiday, your off day is bumped to the next work day.

[Anonymous User]

I would be willing to bet that you won't. I know several JLCs who came in with clerkships and started as GS-11s anyway. I have never heard of a JLC going up to a GS-13, even with performance reviews that could not have been more positive. When you accept the JLC position, I would advise that you expect that you'll be at a GS-11 for six months and then a GS-12 for the remaining year and a half and budget accordingly.

I am in a clerkship right now. I was told I would be entering at GS-12 and was given the starting salary including locality pay. So I'll just assume that I won't see any sort of bump up in grade/step during my 2 year stint.

Does anyone know if flex time is available for JLCs or what the schedule/avg number of hours worked per week is?

All of the courts I'm aware of offer the alternative work schedule where you work longer hours but have one day off every other week as well as one day where you leave 1 hour early. So, for every 10 days, you work 8 days at your normal schedule (9.5 hrs a day), 1 short day (8.5 hrs), and then have the 10th day off. Personally, I LOVE this schedule. If your regular off day is a holiday, your off day is bumped to the next work day.

I'm a JLC and I second this. They don't have flex time or comp time like other agencies but the above AWS schedule is usually offered.

[Anonymous User]

Please consider signing this petition (link below) -- and spread the word!! We'll like having our full retirement benefits if we stick with government service careers.

The petition: Allow judicial clerks to pay into the retirement fund to receive credit for their years of federal service.

The link: http://wh.gov/irqJT