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Position Title
Senior Associate Ombudsman
Agency
Patent and Trademark Office
Announcement Number
TMCO-OUSD-22-11379707-MP Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, February 7, 2022 to Friday, February 18, 2022
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
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2. Are you a current U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee in the competitive service?

If eligible, submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Block #24 Tenure 1 or 2) and Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1). 

Please note: Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade/range increases. While a General Adjustment and/or Award SF-50 may be your most recent SF-50 it typically DOES NOT show proof of Time in Grade. Thus, you may have to submit more than one SF-50 as proof of Time in Grade.
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3. Are you a current USPTO employee who holds or has previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service at the same or higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?

If eligible, submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
  • Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Block #24 Tenure 1 or 2) AND
  • Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status was in the competitive service (Block #34 Position Occupied is 1).
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Preferences
1. How did you hear about USPTO Job possibilities? (No Choice Limit) (limit characters)
2. Have you held a political appointment within the previous five-year period? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Senior Associate Ombudsman position with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Your resume and the responses you provide will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application. (limit characters)
1. Do you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service as described below?
  • Experience analyzing conflict and formulating or collaborating on the formulation of ombudsman initiatives;
  • Experience addressing new, complex, or unique issues as an ombudsman, including issues representing a departure from previous practices;
  • Experience serving as a liaison between an employee and management; and or
  • Experience with using the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques and processes used in organizational ombudsman practice, including understanding the mechanisms and benefits of each.
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For each of the following items, select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided below. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Guides individual and group inquirers in articulating and defining concerns, listens impartially, asks clarifying questions, gathers relevant background information, and assesses the dynamics of inquiry issues. (limit characters)
3. Applies a range of highly specialized and tailored conflict resolution techniques used in the ombudsman practice, including coaching, mediation, facilitation, shuttle diplomacy, systemic reviews, and business unit-level interventions. (limit characters)
4. Helps parties analyze issues and concerns and explore possible resolution options while maintaining impartiality, independence, and confidentiality. (limit characters)
5. Designs and initiates agency-wide, multi-unit, business unit-specific, and work unit-specific systemic reviews and programmatic interventions as appropriate and in collaboration with other ombudsman personnel as needed. (limit characters)
6. Meets with individuals and leaders at all levels of the organization who seek consultation and coaching, providing feedback about policies, programs, and practices; proactive assistance in avoiding or reducing conflict; or guidance in exploring ways of understanding and addressing situations, while maintaining impartiality. (limit characters)
7. Designs and initiates training, workshops, and educational seminars tailored and targeted to the needs of specific audiences regarding ombudsman areas of expertise such as conflict management, communication, and emotional intelligence. (limit characters)
8. Advises on the design, redesign, and expansion of USPTO-wide dispute resolution systems and processes. (limit characters)
9. Designs and develops a wide array of marketing material and procedural information to ensure that individuals are aware of available ombudsman services. (limit characters)
10. Originates and implements marketing and outreach strategies aligned with the policies and goals of the Office of the Ombudsman. (limit characters)
11. Maintains and analyzes data to identify systemic problems and trends within the confines of federal laws and regulations and the IOA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. (limit characters)
12. Captures ombudsman inquiry data in conjunction with the Office's data glossaries. (limit characters)
13. Draws inferences, outline options, and provide feedback and recommendations to parties in conflict and senior leadership. (limit characters)
14. Coordinates with agency officials, employee resources, and work units responsible for other informal and formal dispute resolution processes, such as Federal Occupational Health, Human Resources staff, the Office of Equal Employment and Diversity, and Office of General Counsel. (limit characters)
15. Represents the Office of the Ombudsman on USPTO committees and at leadership meetings as appropriate. Speaks on behalf of the Chief Ombudsman as needed. (limit characters)
16. Promotes good communication practices and the availability and use of ombudsman services. (limit characters)