Summary

Lead the advancement of patent examination quality across the USPTO as a Supervisory Patent Review Quality Assurance Specialist in the Office of Patent Quality Assurance (OPQA). In this role, you will supervise patent quality review activities, provide technical leadership and guidance, analyze examination trends, and recommend improvements that strengthen the quality and consistency of patent examination agency wide.

Duties

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The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year.

This rewarding opportunity is the ideal next career step for you if:

• You thrive in leading patent quality review activities that assess the quality and consistency of patent examination work across the organization.
• You enjoy analyzing patent examination trends and quality data to identify issues, recommend improvements, and inform organizational decision-making.
• You are confident in advising managers and senior leaders on complex patent quality matters, including policies, procedures, and quality improvement initiatives.
• You take pride in planning, assigning, and directing the work of patent quality reviewers to ensure program goals and operational priorities are met.
• You are energized by developing and implementing quality improvement, training, and/or guidance initiatives that strengthen patent examination quality and support the consistent application of patent laws and regulations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year supervisory probationary period.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
• Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• Suitable for Federal Employment.
• This position requires the completion of OGE-450 Financial Disclosure.

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. For more information, please visit the OPM Qualifications Standards.

Specialized Experienceis experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14 in the Federal service:

Specialized experience for this position includes experience in all the following:

• Reviewing and analyzing patent examination work to assess quality, identify trends or deficiencies, and recommend improvements; AND
• Leading or coordinating patent quality, patent examination, or related technical programs, and providing recommendations to management; AND
• Leading, coordinating, mentoring, or providing technical oversight of professional employees engaged in patent examination and patent quality review.

Selective Placement Factor: Must have full signatory authority.

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education may not be substituted for specialized experience at this grade level.

Additional information

This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.

This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of "high risk."

Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued.

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

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.