Patent Examiner (Physics) and comparable STEM backgrounds Job in Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)

Vacancy No. PATS - DCOM-25-12509114-DE Department Patent and Trademark Office
Salary $66,726.00 to $101,431.00 Grade 7 to 9
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/12/2024 Close Date 6/16/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)


Summary

The United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) patent examiners evaluate next-generation technologies, products, tools, and systems that change how billions of people connect, explore, and interact with one another. The patents we issue and the trademarks we register have the potential to change the world! We're looking for STEM candidates who bring unique perspectives and fresh ideas and energy from all areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

There are multiple cut-off dates for the review of Patent Examiner (Physics) applications: September 16, 2024; October 8, 2024; November 25, 2024; January 14, 2025; March 11, 2025; April 28, 2025; May 1, 2025; June 16, 2025. Cut-off dates may change.

Duties

EXPLORE what it means to become a patent examiner, MEET our diverse employees, and LEARN key details about the role!

Not sure where your education fits within the qualification requirements? Please review the Patent Examiner Disciplines list to see where your education and experience will fit best within the USPTO.

If you are a student nearing graduation, within 9 months from the date of your applications, you can still apply! Just submit your application now, and we will verify your degree before your start date.

Applicants may continue to update their application package between each cut-off period.

Applicants not selected at one cut-off date will continue to be considered for the position at each subsequent cut-off until the close of the vacancy announcement.

As a patent examiner, you will:

  • Explore Innovation: Use specialized and cutting-edge technology to search prior art--information known publicly before the filing date of a U.S. patent application--to ensure inventions are unique.
  • Review Applications: Assess patent applications for new inventions, making sure they meet our standards and determining if they are eligible for a patent.
  • Communicate Findings: Write legal office actions and respond to applicants who have filed a patent application.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

The USPTO strives to embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of our work. Intellectual property is most effective when people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives participate in exchanges with others and programs to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity for the benefit of all Americans and people around the world. The USPTO incorporates DEIA best practices throughout our exchanges, programs, and community partnerships, and in our workforce and workplace. The agency is committed to addressing barriers based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, geographic location, education, income, socioeconomic status, and other diversity dimensions that may hinder inclusion in the organization. The USPTO's commitment to DEIA strengthens the intellectual property ecosystem and is vital to building trust and partnerships in the United States and around the world.

What are the work history and educational requirements for this position?

The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualifications requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the Patent Examiner (Physics) position are under the Physics Individual Occupational Requirements. OPM's prescribed Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Patent Examiner Series, GS-1224, is available at OPM Patent Examiner Series 1224.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Applicants will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals. You must be suitable for Federal Employment.
  • Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies. You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
  • If you are a student nearing graduation, within 9 months from the date of your applications, you can still apply! Just submit your applications now, and we will verify your degree before your start date.
  • You are required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
  • If this is your first federal appointment, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. Current federal service employees may be given a new appointment, and a new probationary period may be required.
  • You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
  • You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
  • This is a Bargaining Unit position and is represented by the Patent Office Professional Association (POPA).
  • This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of "moderate."

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS for all grade levels in this series include:

A) Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics.

OR

B) Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In either A) or B) above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in additional, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound.

Applicants must also meet the additional requirements listed below.

Applicants for the GS-7 position have many ways to qualify. In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, applicants may have A, B, C, or D listed below to qualify:

(A) One year of graduate-level education from an accredited college and/or university in a physics field of study.

(B) Superior Academic Achievement. This can be defined by one of the following:
  1. Class standing--Upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the "School of Engineering and Applied Science" or "College of Science and Technology" based on completed courses.
  2. Grade point average (GPA) as recorded on the final transcript--3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on four years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum. The GPA is rounded to one decimal place (2.95 = 3.0 and 2.94 = 2.9). The final transcript must cover the period being used to determine the GPA.
  3. Honor society membership--Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. Please review the list of qualified honor societies.
(C) One year of specialized experience interpreting and applying basic physics and/or scientific principles, theories, concepts and methodologies used in the evaluation of technology; planning and conducting research; applying appropriate references to the claimed invention, etc.

(D) A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education, as described above, that is beyond the first ½ year of progressive graduate study and professional physics experience, as described above.

Applicants for the GS-9 position have many ways to qualify. In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, applicants may have A, B, C, D, or E listed below to qualify:

(A) At least two years of graduate-level education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college and/or university in a physics field of study.

(B) One year of specialized experience interpreting and applying physics and/or scientific principles, theories, concepts and methodologies used in the evaluation of technology; planning and conducting research; applying appropriate references to the claimed invention, etc. Work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures; and independently completing recurring assignments, but referring deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations to a designated person for decision or help.

(C) A combination of education and experience in college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For physicists, applicants must possess at least a bachelor's degree in physics AND have experience applying physics principles and theories in the Physics field.

(D) A combination of successfully completed progressive graduate-level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above.

(E) A combination of superior academic achievement and 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, as described above.

Education

Unless otherwise indicated by the school, 18 semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study.

Education completed at foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to General Schedule Qualifications Policies for more information. You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of coursework and the degree. A listing of services that can perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

NOTE: Only education and experience acquired before the filing deadline will be considered. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

If you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes: your name, name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

For documentation requirements, see the Required Documents section.

Additional information

USPTO Job Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should request accommodation(s) from the USPTO at Accommodations for Job Applicants.

Please review the relevant conflict of interest laws and standards of ethical conduct that may affect you as a patent examiner. If you are an attorney applicant, you must also be able to comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible professional responsibility conflicts in connection with your application.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

Background Investigation - If selected for this position, you will be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), which includes a fingerprint and credit check, to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit the Department of Homeland Security Website.

All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.

Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicants will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: OPM CTAP/ICTAP.

CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Please search USAJOBS for "Patent Examiner" or visit our Careers Website for further information.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. If you believe that you have been discriminated against and would like to file an EEO complaint, you must do so within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. Claims of employment discrimination must be submitted to the attention of the USPTO's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity via email (oeeod@uspto.gov) or phone (571-272-8292).

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your resume and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job announcement, the USPTO will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses to the self-assessment questions and place you in one of two categories: "gold" and "bronze." Applicants placed in the "gold" category will be referred to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

Dependent upon the grade level of which you are qualified, preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold).

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate possession of any specialized experience and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating. Any experience claimed in a cover letter should be substantiated by information contained in your resume. A HR Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; Please do not provide a separate written response.

  • Oral Communication
  • Technical Skills
  • Written Communication


For more information on category rating, please go to: DOC Bulletins

To preview the questionnaire please click the link below:
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12509114

Please answer each question to the full extent of your experience/ability and be sure to consider ALL of your experience when answering.

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. Please review the Required Documents section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application.

Required Documents

A complete application consists of:

1. A resume or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications and optional cover letter. Your resume should indicate your citizenship and should list your educational and work experience, including titles, salary, employment dates (month and year), duties and how it relates to the specialized experience in the job announcement.

2. Transcripts: You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are accepted, however; if selected, you will be required to furnish official transcripts. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements. Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration.

If you are combining and/or substituting education for specialized experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes: your name, name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Supporting Documents:

1. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility, you will be asked to submit a copy of your DD-214 containing your discharge disposition, dates of service, and rank. If you are a preference eligible claiming a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more, you will be asked to submit documentation (i.e., a letter dated 1991 or later from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces) certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation. Veterans must include dates of military service within the automated application process and submit a copy of each Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214. For more information, please visit the Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans.

2. CTAP or ICTAP documents.

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: 1. A copy of your Reduction-In-Force (RIF) separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice); 2. A copy of your "Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50," noting current position, grade/band level, and duty location; 3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and 4. Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: 1. A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination, certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a work-related compensable injury, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; 2. A copy of your "Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 " documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade/band level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through the Reemployment Priority List (RPL), etc.; 3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and 4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

You can upload your documents when you register or update your information on the Department of Commerce site, which you access through the USAJobs site.

Your application and all required documents must be received by 11:59 pm ET on the closing date of this job announcement.

NOTE: The preceding documents requirement is based on job requirements and individual applicant eligibility. Not all documents are applicable to all applicants. If you are unsure which documents apply to you, contact JoinUSPTO@uspto.gov.

How to Apply

You MUST apply online. If you experience difficulties with the application process, please contact the JoinUSPTO@uspto.gov or 571-272-6000 before the closing date of the announcement.

If you are a new user to the USAJobs Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJobs user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help setting up an account or for general help using USAJobs, go to USAJobs Help Page. Once you have gathered all of the required information and are ready to begin the application process, click the "APPLY" button at the right side of the page. You will then be directed away from USAJobs to the Department of Commerce application site for USPTO. You must click "Submit" at the end of the application process to send your application for consideration.

To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov/ and click on "Applications." Click on the position title, then select "Update Application."

If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! OPM has a Help feature on each page. Use this option when you need assistance.

All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJobs "Saved Documents" feature.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII)Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is defined as information that can be traced back to a specific individual and potentially compromise their security or privacy. Examples of PII include date of birth, Social Security Number, and place of birth. Please ensure that you have removed all PII from all documents prior to submitting or uploading your application.

Agency contact information

Join USPTO
Address
PATS - Deputy Commissioner for Patents
Office of Human Resources
Mail Stop 171
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You will receive a notice generated by the USAJobs System when you have successfully submitted your application.

You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." The four points of notification are:

1. Application Received or Application Incomplete; and
2. Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met; and
3. Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and
4. Selected or Not Selected.

After all application packages have been received, we will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic requirements on the information provided, and you may be contacted for follow-up supplemental documentation. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide any supplemental documents or information requested by the Office of Human Resources within the allocated timeframes.

Applicants may continue to update their application package between each cut-off period. Applicants not selected at one cut-off period will continue to be considered for the position at each subsequent cut-off until the close of the vacancy announcement.

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.). You can check the status of your application by logging into USAJobs. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJobs account, editing your profile, and changing the "Notification Settings" to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system after the closing date of this job announcement.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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