DOJ Honors Program 2020-2021 Forum

[Anonymous User]

EOIR finalists are tricking in, as Deana just posted. Unsure of which component though.

I was selected as a finalist for EOIR-OCIJ!!

Same here.

[Anonymous User]

Any news from EOIR BIA?

[Anonymous User]

I was designated a finalist for EOIR - OCIJ this morning and looks like they just added BIA to the finalist selection as well.

[Anonymous User]

EOIR finalists are tricking in, as Deana just posted. Unsure of which component though.

I was selected as a finalist for EOIR-OCIJ!!

Same here.

Me too!

[Anonymous User]

For what it’s worth, none of my references have let me know they were contacted either (although I wouldn’t be surprised if they did, and just didn’t let me know either).

Yeah, this. I received a (non-ENRD) offer yesterday without any word from my references. Unless you're expecting to get an update from your reference(s) for some reason, it's definitely possible they are being contacted and just didn't let you know.

[Anonymous User]

anyone else not hear back from OCIJ yet? I know Deana said she isn't done posting finalists but I am losing hope

[burneeerrr]

You are not alone!

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know how long after designation of finalist applicants start receiving offers?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know if negotiating salary is possible? Is it normal? Frowned upon? Step or Grade?

[Anonymous User]

USAO Updates from Deana:


"Here's what I have-

1. The Southern District of New York has posted finalists and will issue an offer to those identified.
2. The District of Arizona has posted finalists and issued offers.
3. I have not received input from the Southern District of California.
4. The Central District of California decided it could not proceed via the HP and candidates were notified via email.
5. The Northern District of Texas identified finalists and issued offers but is considering additional finalists.

That's all I have for now."

[Anonymous User]

Is it possible to negotiate offers? Higher grade or step?

[Anonymous User]

anyone else not hear back from OCIJ yet? I know Deana said she isn't done posting finalists but I am losing hope

Still nothing from EOIR-OCIJ over here.

[Anonymous User]

CRT is gonna be like, 4:59 PM tomorrow, isn't it?

[Anonymous User]

Given that DOJ Tax Crim posted early-ish, has anyone received an offer from them?

[Anonymous User]

What does it mean when the component code drops off? Like right now my status just says "selected for interview" and it used to have EOIR-[component code] and now that code is no longer there, it just says EOIR

[Anonymous User]

Is it possible to negotiate offers? Higher grade or step?

Grade, likely not; unless you meet the specific criteria for the higher starting grade (clerkship, etc.).

Step is even less likely, unless you're already a GS of a higher grade and will transfer without a break in service longer than a year. If that applies they should give you a step increase to match your current salary.

See 5 CFR 531.211 and 212

[Anjoly]

Is it possible to negotiate offers? Higher grade or step?

Grade, likely not; unless you meet the specific criteria for the higher starting grade (clerkship, etc.).

Step is even less likely, unless you're already a GS of a higher grade and will transfer without a break in service longer than a year. If that applies they should give you a step increase to match your current salary.

See 5 CFR 531.211 and 212

I worked in government for 8 years before law school, even in HR and as a recruiter for a while. In my experience, that answer is No, unless you for example did a clerkship and they do not notice that when they give you your GS.

For example, I left as a GS 12, step 3 when I worked as a paralegal. And will most likely still have to go in as a GS 11 due to "experience in the sector" since I was not a lawyer.

[Anonymous User]

this might be a silly question, but what does "finalist" actually mean? EOIR-BIA here

[Anonymous User]

I worked in government for 8 years before law school, even in HR and as a recruiter for a while. In my experience, that answer is No, unless you for example did a clerkship and they do not notice that when they give you your GS.

For example, I left as a GS 12, step 3 when I worked as a paralegal. And will most likely still have to go in as a GS 11 due to "experience in the sector" since I was not a lawyer.

You would go in at an 11, but if it was without a break in service shouldn't it be a GS-11 Step 9 to match?

Edit: It looks like the maximum payable rate rule is permissive, and not required. So they CAN do it. But they're only required to save-pay if it was an involuntary transfer/RIF. But most agencies do.

[Anonymous User]

this might be a silly question, but what does "finalist" actually mean? EOIR-BIA here

That you are either getting an offer or you're an alternate when the top choices say no.

[Anonymous User]

this might be a silly question, but what does "finalist" actually mean? EOIR-BIA here

It means you play another waiting game to see if you get a phone call or not. You're still in the running, but you could just be an alternate.

[Anjoly]

I worked in government for 8 years before law school, even in HR and as a recruiter for a while. In my experience, that answer is No, unless you for example did a clerkship and they do not notice that when they give you your GS.

For example, I left as a GS 12, step 3 when I worked as a paralegal. And will most likely still have to go in as a GS 11 due to "experience in the sector" since I was not a lawyer.

You would go in at an 11, but if it was without a break in service shouldn't it be a GS-11 Step 9 to match?

I have reinstatement rights, so probably. But I did take time off for law school and still would probably hinder my getting to a 13 quicker. But this was all just to say, negotiating salary is like non existent in government.

[Anonymous User]

Is it possible to negotiate offers? Higher grade or step?

(Current EOIR OCIJ honors program attorney) TBH I don’t think it’s worth it. The way they have the pay scale set it pretty rigid that is based on your # of years post law school experience and follows a set time frame for step increases. I started at EOIR at GS-12, Step 1 because I did a state clerkship prior to coming to EOIR. I got moved up to Step 2 after my first year. All the other clerks started at GS-11, Step 1 and got bumped up to GS-12, Step 1 after they passed the bar (6 months in). So unless you somehow have a ton of post law school experience I wouldn’t expect to start higher than GS-11 or 12.

[Anonymous User]

Received finalist designations for EOIR OP and BIA

[Anonymous User]

Is it possible to negotiate offers? Higher grade or step?

Yeah, I’ve never heard of this happening (went through Honors in an earlier year). The salary is what it is.