Patent Examiner; Computer Science

The USPTO drives U.S innovation for the benefit of all Americans and providing intellectual property protection for innovators and entrepreneurs worldwide. We are looking for talented individuals to examine ideas that benefit society and bring innovation to market. You'll shape the future of patent examination, advance key processes, and support innovation in cutting-edge ways.
Duties

Be part of history in the making - and help shape what's next.

Learn how to become a patent examiner, explore the patent examiner disciplines crosswalk to find the areas that align best with your expertise, meet the people leading the way, and discover how you can use cutting-edge tools to protect breakthrough ideas.

Your next chapter starts here.

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.

As a patent examiner, you will:

Examine patent applications and protect groundbreaking ideas. You'll review applications, plan and conduct searches, and apply prior art to determine if inventions meet patentability standards. Early in your career, you'll work closely with supervisors and senior examiners, receiving extensive guidance as you develop your skills and review your findings.

Prepare clear and thoughtful office actions. You'll draft detailed explanations of your examination decisions, discuss them in depth with supervisors or senior examiners, and refine your work based on their feedback before issuing official communications.

Drive innovation in how we examine patents. Beyond day-to-day examination, you'll contribute to improving our processes through analytical research and active involvement in shaping the future of patent work.

Test new ideas and methods. Try alternative examination approaches and share valuable feedback to help improve efficiency and performance.

Evaluate cutting-edge technologies. Assist in testing innovative tools, including artificial intelligence, and provide insights on their potential to transform how we work.

Participate in pilot programs and new initiatives. Help shape and refine new work structures and processes, offering recommendations for streamlining operations and improving outcomes.

Be a voice for improvement. Provide ongoing feedback and insights to help leadership make informed decisions about patent examination practices, technology, and workflow enhancements.

In addition, our Patent Examiner (Computer Science) positions may offer a $30,000 recruitment bonus for new federal employees (with a 48-month service commitment). Employees will receive $10,000 after entrance on duty (EOD) and may be eligible for a 2nd installment of $20,000 after attaining promotion(s) to GS-12 within 36 months of EOD.

You will be required to file a confidential financial disclosure report, i.e., the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 450, within 30 days of assuming the position and annually thereafter. You will be required to complete ethics orientation within 3 months of beginning of your position.

Please review the relevant conflict of interest laws and standards of ethical conduct that may affect you as a patent examiner. Carefully review the conflict of interest laws and standards of ethical conduct, as if you have an interest in any company that manufactures devices or markets processes covered by your technology area, you will be subject to a disqualification regarding all patent applications in the technology area unless the value is below $15,000 for any one company and less than $25,000 for all companies.

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.

Further, as an employee of the USPTO you are restricted as to your interest in patents consistent with 35 U.S.C. 4.

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

Below are the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the Patent Examiner (Computer Science) position. Please see OPM's information on the Individual Occupational Requirements for Computer Science Series . OPM's prescribed Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Patent Examiner Series, GS-1224, is available at OPM Patent Examiner Series 1224 .

• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies. You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• 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…