just_n_examiner ([info]just_n_examiner) wrote,
2012-02-22 19:27:00
  • Previous
  • Memorize
  • Share
  • Next

Patent Examiner Positions Posted for Detroit Office

In case anyone missed it in the comment thread below, the Office posted examiner positions for the new Detroit office yesterday. There are openings listed for Mechanical and Electrical Engineers. Both postings are open until March 30th, and both cite 'MANY vacancies'.

All of the posted jobs are GS-11 positions, and after glancing at the requirements, it looks like they may be limited to candidates with prior patent prosecution experience or advanced degrees.

The Detroit office is currently scheduled to open in late July.

You can find information by following the newly-added link to the uspto careers web page on the right under 'useful links'.

  • Post a new comment

    Error

    switch

    Your IP address will be recorded 

     
    Help
  • 85 comments
Previous
← Ctrl← Alt
  • 1
  • 2
Next
Ctrl →Alt →

Anonymous

February 29 2012, 20:23:25 UTC 2 months ago

Can anyone comment on the webcast about the TEAP and how they mentioned that you can switch from TEAP to hoteling from the Detroit office? Do you get a new SPE? Do you pretty much never have to go back to the Alexandria office? Can you be in any type of art unit? Thanks.

Anonymous

March 9 2012, 21:45:07 UTC 2 months ago

Sorry to make a comment unrelated to the post. But I just received a job offer from the USPTO and was curious if you think it's a good job for an aerospace engineer who recently graduated. I seem to see mixed reviews online, but I'm uncertain if some are just angry workers or if the place is really that bad.

Is the salary for a GS-7 enough for the DC area? Some people say it is, some people say it's terrible, I dunno as I'm in Florida atm and the cost of living says that housing is the main issue.

Are the managers and supervisors so atrocious that they make life hell?

Any advice you could give me would be great if I accept the job. Thanks.

Anonymous

March 12 2012, 17:14:20 UTC 2 months ago

you can receive rapid promotions to gs-11, plus overtime is usually available. Its not hard to make 100k+ after a few years if you come in as a gs-7 step 10 and don't work overtime. If you can work max ot, it is possible to make 155k plus bonus. Bonuses can be up to 14% and have various criteria. In general overtime is a better deal financially than bonuses.

Supervisors depend on the unit. The job is a lot easier once you can approve your own work, as you are soley responsible for your own production and don't need approval from anyone else.

You will have an extraordinary amount of freedom schedule wise once you are in your unit (flex schedule, work you 80 hours more or less any way you want). Vacation is plentiful and the ability to work from home is a plus.

if you want to do actual engineering work, some time spent at the office won't really be helpful. You look at others designs, but dont work on your own. Technical training is fairly minimal. Funds for grad school/law school are not currently available, but tend to be available every few years for a few years depending on budget/numbers of people leaving.

If you take advantage of the flexibility, and overtime its a great job. You can work extra hours for leave purposes and take over several months within a year if you really want. You can't take applicant's responses personally. You have to be very independent to be successful in this job.

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

March 13 2012, 16:49:08 UTC 2 months ago

What anonymous said above is spot on.

In addition to what was said above, for someone who is just recently graduated, and not married with kids, the starting salary is doable, assuming you don't have too much debt from college. You won't be living the high life though. The farther you live from Alexandria the cheaper housing becomes, so if you are willing to put up with a commute (maybe an hour or more depending on if you are driving/bussing/metroing) for a while, the salary should be enough.

The good part is that the salary goes up pretty fast.

Personally I think the biggest issue is whether you like to work alone (really alone) or you like teamwork. At the PTO, you basically work alone, especially once you become a primary examiner. You have even less interaction with co-workers if you work from home (which many people do). If you like things like teamwork, group projects, collaboration, constant input/feedback/guidance, then the PTO might not be a good fit. If you ideal job would be to sit at your desk and work alone searching through prior patents for hours day after day, then the PTO might be a good fit.

Personally, I think it is a great job. Your job is very well defined and you will know exactly what you are expected to do. You will never feel like you are given an unfair amount of work or experience any of the many other stresses and problems that come with doing "group effort" work. If you can work efficiently, you may find that the work is relatively low stress and can be done well within the 40 hour work week (meaning not much unpaid overtime, hopefully, but everyone is different and other exmaminers may say otherwise).

The PTO has good job security if that is a concern. Patent examiners have not been laid-off in the past that I know of.

Anonymous

March 13 2012, 17:58:34 UTC 2 months ago

I have also been trying to gather information online about the positions at the USPTO. How long does it usually take to be able to Telework? At which step did they start you? I applied and was selected for a GS-7 position and I am anxiously awaiting a formal offer. The salary will be the deciding factor. If I will make more than my husband currently does, we will be able to make it work.

Anonymous

March 13 2012, 23:28:22 UTC 2 months ago

telework requires 3 things

1. 2 years of service
2. GS12
3. pass the certification exam or the patent bar (basically a longer version of the certification exam)

if your GS7, then..

0 Months - GS7
6 Months - GS9
12 Months - GS11
24 Months - GS12

However, that schedule is theoretical. At the very least, add in at least a few biweeks due to procedural paperwork and/or delays - not to mention whether or not your SPE is a hardass and won't promote you on the dot. Oh yeah, you also need to have approximately 105+ production to get promoted.

On top of that, you need to attend training to telework which is only offered once a month.

Basically, best case scenario you're probably looking at about 2.25-2.5 years

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

March 16 2012, 12:33:48 UTC 2 months ago

Has anyone heard back from the recent massive rounds of interviews for GS11 examiners?

Anonymous

April 10 2012, 01:24:23 UTC 1 month ago

I am preparing for a possible interview for Grade 11. I will appreciate if anyone could share questions that USPTO had asked.
Thanks,

Anonymous

March 16 2012, 16:51:55 UTC 2 months ago

You mean the interviews from last week? That's when I interviewed for Gs-11. HR must be so swamped I doubt you would hear back within a week. Post if you do, and I will do the same.

Anonymous

March 22 2012, 23:41:57 UTC 2 months ago

I really want to hear from these guys. Anyone else hear back yet? They have to be calling someone....

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

March 16 2012, 16:53:39 UTC 2 months ago

I agree with the person above me. You won't hear anything back for some time considering they just had another cutoff date for GS-11 (03/14/2012). They will probably have interviews for those people soon. Probably looking for enough people to have a PTA.

Anonymous

March 18 2012, 02:36:45 UTC 2 months ago

They are supposed to have people starting by the end of this month. So if you want to provide 2 weeks notice to current employers, it's going to be a tight schedule. Keeping fingers crossed and wishing everyone the best!!

Anonymous

March 17 2012, 17:45:24 UTC 2 months ago

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120314/STAFFBLOG11/120319958

Quoted: Also, the government is hosting a series of four "USPTO Patent Examiners Open House" information sessions next Saturday, March 24 at the nearby Roberts Riverwalk Hotel in Detroit for any U.S. citizen with an engineering or science degree, and IP background, who can "live or...relocate to the Detroit area."


Quoted: Somewhat more interesting is the need for up to six administrative patent judges (at salaries of $134,498 to $165,300) to serve in Detroit as part of the USPTO's Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.

Anonymous

March 17 2012, 18:21:20 UTC 2 months ago

I think the appeals are up and I'm assuming this is to combat this...

Anonymous

March 19 2012, 14:00:09 UTC 2 months ago

its going to be a bit difficult to entice people in the DC area to move to detroit.

Anonymous

March 19 2012, 15:30:51 UTC 2 months ago

I don't think that is the goal. I think they want to hire people already in Detroit that need jobs. This is a clear-cut political move.

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

March 19 2012, 19:27:14 UTC 2 months ago

All - I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to go about securing an interview after being approved by HR. I get the sense that tons of people apply for these positions, and I don't want to be lost in the shuffle. Who actually makes the hiring decisions - are they supervisors or is there a set hiring committee? Thanks.

Anonymous

March 20 2012, 15:54:02 UTC 2 months ago

I believe the HR people will forward your resume to a SPE based on some kind of rating system. While I do not know what the ratings are based on, I suspect that a major contributing factor would be based on which art unit needs more examiners. If the background listed in your resume is in an area that they need, then you will stand a good chance of landing an interview. This is largely speculation on my part though.

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

March 20 2012, 22:07:44 UTC 2 months ago

I hear they are going to hire 3000 people over the next 2 years, I was wondering if anyone knew how many people they already hired?

Anonymous

March 20 2012, 23:31:50 UTC 2 months ago

I think that's their goal. It is still questionable if they reach those desired numbers. They are aiming to hire 1500 for this fiscal year. I think someone mentioned that they hired about 20-25 people for each tech center for the current PTA.

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

2 months ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

March 27 2012, 02:05:01 UTC 2 months ago

I've made it to the phone interview stage, but I have a question - is there flexibility as to potential start date? I'm six months pregnant, and while I could work for a couple of months if I started right away, I know there's a training academy and all that to go through, and I'm basically going to be a big logistical pain unless I start after the baby gets here and is old enough for child care (probably October). This may not be a question anyone here can answer...

Anonymous

April 11 2012, 00:50:28 UTC 1 month ago

USPTO usually have several start dates stretching over 2-3 months.

Anonymous

March 28 2012, 01:07:02 UTC 2 months ago

Hello,

I have a phone interview soon for a GS9/11 examiner position. Any advice on how to prepare, what to expect in the interview would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Anonymous

March 29 2012, 16:16:04 UTC 1 month ago

Glassdoor.com has some interview questions that were asked by interviewers.

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

March 29 2012, 00:37:13 UTC 1 month ago

Man I just got rejected again for an interview, how are the HR people making their ratings? I can't seem to get past them.

Anonymous

March 29 2012, 00:41:45 UTC 1 month ago

What's your background? Try to apply for the DC area postings too?

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

March 31 2012, 00:39:29 UTC 1 month ago

Is it easier to be a trademark attorney or a patent examiner in terms of actual work, assuming you qualify for both positions?

Anonymous

April 2 2012, 11:54:13 UTC 1 month ago

Trademark attorney. No claims, no lengthy specs, little to no prosecution. Not even close.

Of course, trademark attorneys have been known to get laid off on occasion when the workload shrinks.

Anonymous

April 3 2012, 02:56:05 UTC 1 month ago

How difficult would it be for a minority us citizen with a master in civil engineering from a us university and strong desire of pursuing legal studies, to score a position as USPTO Patent Examiner. I expect to graduate in May 2013. I have the opportunity to stay doing a Ph.D. paid by the institution but feel a JD would complement my engineering background greatly. I hear USPTO pays or help pay your law degree when funding is available, pay is great for me and the flexibility with the schedule is something i think only Google would beat! (Working at Google must be awesome!)

[info]jsbreaker

April 3 2012, 07:18:17 UTC 1 month ago

It would be tough, civil engineering is not one of the areas they hire in. A JD is generally just a nice complement to your technical background, which is mostly what they care about. Also, they aren't doing tuition reimbursement right now, though they could likely restart doing it in a few years.

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

April 5 2012, 19:28:20 UTC 1 month ago

If not selected after the interview process, would HR inform the candidate?

Anonymous

April 5 2012, 19:33:25 UTC 1 month ago

Yes, but it will probably take some time. They are slow in notifying people probably because they are backed up.

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

April 5 2012, 23:40:04 UTC 1 month ago

Bio background (MS and JD) interviewed for GS 9 on 3/28... Questions were vague and interview was less than 30 minutes. They talked about my internship (Patent Extern at PTO during JD) and if I really saw it as something I wanted to do.

I do - now its the waiting game. I was following some thread on intelproplaw till it went down, trying to get a sense of who they are interviewing for this... its seems to me the people applying for GS 11 have years experience and terminal degrees, I assume when they aren't selected at 11 they would be the obvious choice for 9.

I get a sense the interview used to be a great sign, now I have no idea what to think!

Anonymous

April 6 2012, 02:55:01 UTC 1 month ago

There is a thread below here about people who applied for the Bio GS-11 position who weren't selected. They have advanced degrees, JD, and some with IP experience. I'm now curious what they are looking for in that area if that's not enough to get a GS-11 position. I would have to agree with you that chances are if you aren't selected for GS-11 with the credentials you have (if you were deemed eligible not selected or selected but rejected) you would be a good pick for GS-9.

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

April 9 2012, 18:00:26 UTC 1 month ago

I am a veteran with a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from a good school with a 3.75+ GPA. I also passed the PhD Qualifying exams and have two years of work experience in addition to four years active duty in the military. I have also passed my FE exam. Do you think I have a good chance ?

USPTO posted this article recently:
http://www.uspto.gov/news/pr/2011/11-66.jsp

[info]jsbreaker

April 9 2012, 19:39:25 UTC 1 month ago

Yes, pretty good chance for GS-11. Almost 100% chance for if you applied GS7/9.

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

Anonymous

April 10 2012, 01:26:52 UTC 1 month ago

I am preparing for a possible interview for Grade 11. I will appreciate if anyone could share questions that USPTO had asked.
Thanks,

Anonymous

April 12 2012, 17:33:39 UTC 1 month ago

Glassdoor.com has some questions asked to interviewees, and I think if you sort through the comments in the post on the Dec post about job openings has some questions that were asked.

Anonymous

April 12 2012, 17:34:54 UTC 1 month ago

Looks like they extended the application due date back again. Does this mean they don't like the current applicants in the pool? That doesn't bode well...

Anonymous

April 12 2012, 17:54:42 UTC 1 month ago

Maybe or they want more applicants.

Anonymous

April 12 2012, 22:56:32 UTC 1 month ago

Is there a lot of EE applicants? Is the GS 7 and 9 treated separately? I was not referred for GS 9 but I have not gotten any response for GS 7 position. It seems like it has been stuck in limbo for a month now.

Anonymous

April 14 2012, 10:32:19 UTC 1 month ago

I just had an interview. How long, on an average, does it take to hear from USPTO if hired? What are the formalities to be completed prior to joining USPTO (first day at work)? Do all hired candidates start at certain/specific STEP for a given Grade level?
Thanks in advance,

Anonymous

April 16 2012, 21:53:57 UTC 1 month ago

Someone posted a comment that GS 7/9 interviews differ from those for GS-11. Could someone elaborate the difference based on his/her experience.
Thanks,

Anonymous

April 18 2012, 01:11:40 UTC 1 month ago

Hey, I applied for the GS-9 patent examiner position in DC in the Mechanical Engineering group art unit. I had a few questions for you current patent examiners out there. I sent an email to the HR lady before apply, but apparently they are very busy and never replied back.

My questions are:

From reading the website, it looks like GS12 is when the telework option becomes available to patent examiners. At GS12 is the telework option then a granted option, or is telework something that the employee must have his/her supervisor okay before taking part in (I.E. is every supervisor okay with teleworking)? Also, for the telework program can a patent examiner move anywhere within the USA or even live outside the USA and work remotely while using a VPN to access the USPTO network? Are patent examiners still required to come to the office one day per week?

Regarding the flextime program, are the workable hour options solely based upon the manager/supervisors discretion, or are the workable hours up to the patent examiner to decide(I.E. If everyone in a managers group is doing a 5/4/9 could I elect to do the 4/10 plan)?

The website also mentioned paid overtime. Is paid overtime available to all GS grade levels, or is this only available once a patent examiner reaches a certain GS grade?

Finally, some government positions offer student loan reimbursement for federal student loans up to $10,000 per year per 5 U.S.C. 5379. Are there any opportunities at the USPTO to take part in this program?

I hope this isn't too many questions, but I am very intrigued by the possibility of working for the USPTO and wanted to ensure this job would be a good fit before applying.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[info]jsbreaker

April 18 2012, 17:55:30 UTC 1 month ago

1) It has to be approved first, but it is only procedural if you qualify already, takes a few weeks. Within USA, any state, outside the USA while working is a big problem for national security reasons (keep in mind you have to be a US citizen to work for the USPTO, usually the same with other countries PTO's except for a bit of reciprocity). No, changed 2 years ago.

2) Each of those plans are exclusive of each other, 5/4/9 and 4/10 have set hours, almost no one picks those, flextime mostly doesn't (early as 5:30 am and as late at 11:30 am arrival)

3) Has to be initially approved, from then on you can do it up to a limit as long as overtime in general isn't frozen.

4) No, law school tuition program is, probably temporarily, not available either.

Anonymous

1 month ago

  • Loading...

[info]jsbreaker

1 month ago

  • Loading...
Previous
← Ctrl← Alt
  • 1
  • 2
Next
Ctrl →Alt →
Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Facebook Twitter More login options
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…