USA Staffing

Position Title: Quality Control Specialist
Agency: Patent and Trademark Office
Announcement Number: PATS - OODM-23-11966571 Opens in new window
Open Period: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 to Wednesday, June 7, 2023

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

2. 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.

A. Yes

B. No

3. Are you a current or former Federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than 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 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.

A. Yes

B. No

1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.

2. How did you hear about USPTO Job possibilities? (No Choice Limit)

A. Conference

B. Email

C. Facebook

D. Friend

E. Handshake University Platform

F. LinkedIn

G. Online Blog/Bulletin Board

H. Professional Society/Organization

I. State Bar Association

J. University Career Fair

K. University Career Placement Office

L. University Job Board

M. USAJobs

N. @USPTOJobs Twitter

O. USPTO Employee

P. USPTO Information Session

Q. USPTO Jobs web pages

R. USPTO Web Page

S. Virtual Job Fair

T. Other

3. Have you held a political appointment within the previous five-year period?

A. Yes

B. No

4. If you are a current or former Federal civilian employee, by what agency/office or Department of Commerce bureau are you employed?

5. If you answered "Other" to the above question, please enter the agency and organization.

1. Collapse this section1.Required

Carefully read the following descriptions of experience and education. Select the one that best describes your qualifications for the GS-09 Quality Control Specialist position. Make sure your resume supports the response that you select. Candidates for the GS-9 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower GS-07 grade level in the Federal service.

GS-9 Specialized Experience - Assisting in performing evaluation and analysis in the process of patent applications to ensure improvement in quality control initiatives; assisting in the inspection and evaluation the quality and accuracy of allowed application files in preparation for data capture by commercial sources; application of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to data; determine which applications need corrective action and ensure the action is completed with the goal of issuing accurate patents weekly, and monitor the quality and timeliness of contractor deliverables.

Candidates for the GS-9 must possess one of the following: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7 grade level in the Federal service; or a combination of graduate education AND experience equivalent the next lower GS-7 grade level that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

Select the response that best describes your experience and or education as it relates to the basic qualification requirements for this position as stated above.

A. I have at least one year of specialized experience that has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position.

B. My experience is not reflected in the above statement.

C. I have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that together meet 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

D. I have completed 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education OR possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as a LL.B. or J.D.).

2. Carefully read the following descriptions of experience and education. Select the one that best describes your qualifications for the GS-11 Quality Control Specialist Specialist position. Make sure your resume supports the response that you select. Candidates for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower GS-09 grade level in the Federal service.

GS-11 Specialized Experience - Performing evaluation and analysis in the process of patent applications to ensure improvement in quality control initiatives; inspecting and evaluating the quality and accuracy of allowed application files in preparation for data capture by commercial sources; application of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to data; determine which applications need corrective action and ensure the action is completed with the goal of issuing accurate patents weekly, and monitor the quality and timeliness of contractor deliverables.

Candidates for the GS-11 must possess one of the following: Ph. D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher graduate level education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; OR 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9 grade level in the Federal service; or a combination of graduate education AND experience equivalent the next lower GS-9 grade level that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

Select the response that best describes your experience and or education as it relates to the basic qualification requirements for this position as stated above.

A. I have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11 grade level which includes experience is experience I have at least one year of specialized experience that has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service as described in the job announcement.

B. My experience is not reflected in the above statement.

C. I have 3 full years of progressively higher graduate level education leading to such a degree (such as a LL.M.)

D. I have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that together meet 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

3. Please select the statement(s) that best describe(s) your experience with Patent regulations, rules, statutes, procedures and policies relative to the processing of allowed patent applications.

A. I understand the post allowance requirements an applicant must meet in order for an allowed application to issue as a patent.

B. I have an understanding of the printer RUSH process, grouping and other items that can delay an application from moving to issuance.

C. I frequently reference a large variety of patent regulations, rules, statutes, procedures and policies to perform duties related to my position.

D. None of the Above.

4. Please select the response that best describes your knowledge of patent application processing.

A. I have experience with processing.

B. I have work experience in and post-examination processing of administrative workflow of applications.

C. I have experience and knowledge of the administrative flow of applications, in order to rectify deficiencies, in order to move allowed applications to issuance.

D. None of the above.

5. Please indicate the statement(s) that describes your experience planning and assessing the quality of work produced.

A. Performed work that regularly involved planning, prioritizing, monitoring your own work.

B. Performed work that regularly involved verifying the accuracy of information of the relevance of information to a problem or a situation (for example, reviewing notices and determining if they were accurate).

C. None of the above.

6. Please indicate the statement(s) that describe(s) your experience in comprehending and applying regulations, policies and other related administrative rules, procedures and practices.

A. Performed work that regularly involved oral explanations of technical information, such as regulations, policies or procedures.

B. Performed work that regularly involved reviewing work to determine it has been processed according to established regulations, policies or procedures.

C. None of the above.

7. Please select the response(s) that reflect(s) your experience with analytical and evaluative techniques.

A. I have evaluated quality review findings and other sources of data to determine training needs.

B. I have conducted studies on operating programs to make recommendations on process improvements.

C. I have analyzed work processes to identify performance gaps and inefficiencies.

D. None of above.

8. Which of the following best describes your experience conducting quality reviews and carrying out projects.

A. I do not have the experience, education or training performing this task.

B. I have education or training in performing this task but have not yet performed this task on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job with close supervision from supervisor or senior employee.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of the job, independently and usually without review by supervisor or senior employee.

9. Identify the software various applications in which you are proficient and have used frequently (for example, at least 2-3 times per week for 6 months in duration) to perform your job functions.

A. Microsoft Word

B. Microsoft Excel

C. PowerPoint

D. Access

E. Outlook

F. Publisher

G. Vizio

H. None of the above

10. Please indicate the statement(s) that describe(s) your experience in using computers and programs such as internal databases, tracking systems, MS Windows, MS Outlook, etc.

A. Tracked work or created records on a daily basis.

B. Updated existing records in a database or tracking system.

C. Used MS Windows, MS Outlook, and other software programs to communicate information on a daily basis.

D. None of the above.

11. Please select the response that best describes your experience and/or ability to communicate orally with various levels of employees and management in order to obtain and provide information.

A. I have applied communication skills to conduct work activities with internal and external customers as well as co-workers and superiors. I have responded to inquiries regarding non-technical or routine matters.

B. I have made informative and persuasive communications in a business setting on specialized but no complex issues.

C. I have typically maintained effective ongoing contacts and working relationships with personnel at various levels throughout the organization as well as external contacts.

D. I have discussed and explained technical material that was often controversial or sensitive. I have acted as the main liaison with other departments and organizations.

E. None of the above.

12. Have you successfully done work that regularly involved providing oral explanations of technical information or other complex information, such as regulations, policies, or procedures?

A. Yes

B. No

13. Have you successfully done work that regularly involved providing written reports containing technical information or other complex information, such as qualitative and/or quantitative analysis?

A. Yes

B. No

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