Hiring Freezes?? Forum

[Anonymous User]

On the other hand, I know a guy who was hired at an USAO who was given one day's notice to quit his job and start so he could get in before 2/22, because the office was so unsure as to what would happen otherwise. So who knows.

I was told by HR that they don't know when the decision is coming, but the feeling is that criminal prosecutors will be exempted for public safety reasons. The entire criminal division of DOJ has applied together for an exemption for hires and the hope/expectation is that they will just get a blanket approval, rather than actually going case by case through each hire.

Any updates from folks? Still radio silence from my agency : ( (offer pre Jan 22)

[Anonymous User]

Any updates from folks? Still radio silence from my agency : ( (offer pre Jan 22)

I was told "not to worry" about my honors offer at a national security type agency. Nothing definitive, but it eased the worry a little.

[Anonymous User]

I was told by HR that they don't know when the decision is coming, but the feeling is that criminal prosecutors will be exempted for public safety reasons. The entire criminal division of DOJ has applied together for an exemption for hires and the hope/expectation is that they will just get a blanket approval, rather than actually going case by case through each hire.

Any updates from folks? Still radio silence from my agency : ( (offer pre Jan 22)

Just echoing to say that I have also heard exactly this from folks connected to the criminal division. I also know of an AUSA offeree (offer pre jan 22, but start date still TBD) who has been told by his office that they don't think he should worry.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard from hiring contacts at a non-criminal DOJ component (re: Honors program and freeze)?

[Anonymous User]

On the other hand, I know a guy who was hired at an USAO who was given one day's notice to quit his job and start so he could get in before 2/22, because the office was so unsure as to what would happen otherwise. So who knows.

Confirmed. This happened to me.

Sworn in as a criminal division AUSA right under the wire on Feb. 22.

Thankfully my then-current employer (state prosecutor) was very understanding, given how difficult a job like this was to get, and so were my colleagues who will have to pick up my slack until a replacement comes online. I managed to extract myself without burning any bridges.

[Anonymous User]

Buddy of mine starts as an AUSA in 2 weeks.

[Anonymous User]

Post in the DOJ Honors FB group:

My career services office just emailed saying we got the exemption from the hiring freeze. Not clear whether this is for all Honors hires, or just the division that hired me (Environment and Natural Resources). Email from DOJ anticipated soon.

[Anonymous User]

Any indication of whether the exemption grant applies only to the honors program or whether an exemption was granted for criminal AUSAs as well? Thanks.

Somewhat relatedly, Politico is reporting that the new budget will include an increase for DOJ.

[gglas001]

Post in the DOJ Honors FB group:

My career services office just emailed saying we got the exemption from the hiring freeze. Not clear whether this is for all Honors hires, or just the division that hired me (Environment and Natural Resources). Email from DOJ anticipated soon.

Stop playing games with my heart and give me a source.

[Anonymous User]

ATR sent out that email to all hirees.

[Anonymous User]

I just received an email saying "We are pleased to announce that existing offers already made under 2016-2017 [DOJ] Honors Program will be honored."

[Anonymous User]

For those of you who have gotten through at DOJ Criminal Division, how long did your background check take? I'm 6 weeks in and none of my folks have been contacted.

[Anonymous User]

For those of you who have gotten through at DOJ Criminal Division, how long did your background check take? I'm 6 weeks in and none of my folks have been contacted.

Very similar timing and in the same boat, also very curious about this. I know it can vary but would really like to just know generally whether I might be starting in April or, like, October.

[Anonymous User]

For those of you who have gotten through at DOJ Criminal Division, how long did your background check take? I'm 6 weeks in and none of my folks have been contacted.

Anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. "Your folks" may not get contacted for the USAO check, but certainly will for the FBI check. Don't wait for the calls to your references, wait for the drug test to know you're on the road.

[Anonymous User]

For those of you who have gotten through at DOJ Criminal Division, how long did your background check take? I'm 6 weeks in and none of my folks have been contacted.

Anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. "Your folks" may not get contacted for the USAO check, but certainly will for the FBI check. Don't wait for the calls to your references, wait for the drug test to know you're on the road.

What does the drug test signify? That we passed the USAO check?

I have DOJ tax offer, and they had me take a drug test in early February.

[Anonymous User]

DOJ EOIR is exempt from the hiring freeze. I'm willing to bet AUSAs will be as well.

[Anonymous User]

Official word is criminal AUSAs are exempt as public safety positions. It's Miller time boys and girls.

[Anonymous User]

Official word is criminal AUSAs are exempt as public safety positions. It's Miller time boys and girls.

Are you able to provide any further information? Does this mean that USAOs could not only honor pending offers but also extend new ones?

[Anonymous User]

Official word is criminal AUSAs are exempt as public safety positions. It's Miller time boys and girls.

Are you able to provide any further information? Does this mean that USAOs could not only honor pending offers but also extend new ones?

Different anon but Yes, or at least that's what my office suggested. I can't remember exactly how the USA phrased it so I'm not sure if that was express guidance, or if that was their interpretation of what they could push for under the guidance they did get. But if my USA interpreted it as making it possible to hire new AUSAs I'm sure others will too.

[Anonymous User]

^Some contrary evidence here in a [semi-automated] e-mail I just got from DOJ, but not sure this means anything.

R - Referred
Thank you for submitting your resume for a position as an Assistant United States Attorney in our Criminal Division. An initial review of your documents found you qualified for the position. Due to the current budget situation within the Department of Justice, we are delaying the scheduling of interviews. Your resume will be kept on file for 120 days. If we are able to resume hiring and you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by our office.

[andythefir]

^Some contrary evidence here in a [semi-automated] e-mail I just got from DOJ, but not sure this means anything.

R - Referred
Thank you for submitting your resume for a position as an Assistant United States Attorney in our Criminal Division. An initial review of your documents found you qualified for the position. Due to the current budget situation within the Department of Justice, we are delaying the scheduling of interviews. Your resume will be kept on file for 120 days. If we are able to resume hiring and you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by our office.

Not contrary evidence, that's the difference between declining to hire someone out of uncertainty over the budget and freezing a hire that was in process. Even those who survived the freeze aren't out of the woods: the agencies still might get a cut to funding for next year.

[Anonymous User]

^Some contrary evidence here in a [semi-automated] e-mail I just got from DOJ, but not sure this means anything.

R - Referred
Thank you for submitting your resume for a position as an Assistant United States Attorney in our Criminal Division. An initial review of your documents found you qualified for the position. Due to the current budget situation within the Department of Justice, we are delaying the scheduling of interviews. Your resume will be kept on file for 120 days. If we are able to resume hiring and you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by our office.

OTOH, the Central District of Illinois just posted an opening for a criminal AUSA: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/465031800/

(Did not actually know Illinois had a central district till now.)

[Anonymous User]

VA will be asking for an exemption for non-public health staff. I presume that includes attorneys.

[Anonymous User]

Bump. Also in same boat; about 5 weeks into background check. Anyone know from their friends etc in what week of background check to expect drug test and what that means (ie is that the last step before we can get a start date?)?

For those of you who have gotten through at DOJ Criminal Division, how long did your background check take? I'm 6 weeks in and none of my folks have been contacted.

Anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. "Your folks" may not get contacted for the USAO check, but certainly will for the FBI check. Don't wait for the calls to your references, wait for the drug test to know you're on the road.

What does the drug test signify? That we passed the USAO check?

I have DOJ tax offer, and they had me take a drug test in early February.

[Anonymous User]

^Some contrary evidence here in a [semi-automated] e-mail I just got from DOJ, but not sure this means anything.

R - Referred
Thank you for submitting your resume for a position as an Assistant United States Attorney in our Criminal Division. An initial review of your documents found you qualified for the position. Due to the current budget situation within the Department of Justice, we are delaying the scheduling of interviews. Your resume will be kept on file for 120 days. If we are able to resume hiring and you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by our office.

Not contrary evidence, that's the difference between declining to hire someone out of uncertainty over the budget and freezing a hire that was in process. Even those who survived the freeze aren't out of the woods: the agencies still might get a cut to funding for next year.

Have basically heard the same. Was told, albeit in uncertain terms, that many offices anticipate very little hiring in 2017. Even if exempt from the freeze as it appears, they anticipate some budget issues (there are some articles stating as much) and may not be hiring many until 2018. Grains of salt.