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Position Title
Legal Instruments Examiner (Pre-Exam)
Agency
Patent and Trademark Office
Announcement Number
TMCO - DCTO-24-12392218-MP Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, April 26, 2024 to Thursday, May 9, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
3. 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.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a former federal employee who held a career appointment in the competitive service OR who held a career-conditional appointment (and is within 3 years of the date of separation or is a preference eligible) and who has never held the full performance level of this position?

OR

Are you a current federal employee in the competitive service who has never held the full performance level of this position?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former federal employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Block #24 Tenure 1 or 2); AND, status in the competitive service (Block #34 Position Occupied is 1).
(limit characters)
5. 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.
(limit characters)
6. Are you eligible for appointment under an Interchange agreement or other similar authority?

For more information on interchange agreements and similar authorities, click here.
(limit characters)
7. Are you a spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty who has orders specifying a permanent change of station (not for training), OR a spouse of a 100% disabled service member injured while on active duty, OR an un-remarried widow/widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty? (limit characters)
8. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months? 

- OR - 

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position? 

- OR - 

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request. 
(limit characters)
9. Are you a current or former Federal 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 (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 (Position Occupied is 1).
(limit characters)
10. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for Schedule A Disability appointments?

If eligible, provide proof of disability with appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
(limit characters)
11. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
  • served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
  • are entitled to veterans' preference? For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. USAJOBS Veterans resources

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
(limit characters)
12. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
  • recently separated (within the past 3 years);
  • are a disabled veteran;
  • served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
  • received an Armed Forces Service Medal? For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.  

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. How did you hear about this USPTO job opportunity? (No Choice Limit) (limit characters)
2. Have you held a political appointment within the previous five-year period? (limit characters)
3. If you are a current or former Federal civilian employee, by what agency/office or Department of Commerce bureau are you employed? (limit characters)
4. If you answered "Other" to the above question, please enter the agency and organization. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Legal Instrument Examiner (Pre-Exam) position within 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. Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Legal Instrument Examiner (Pre-Exam) at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent in the Federal Service.
(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. Please select the response that best describes your experience utilizing text editing to identify, tag, and upload critical data elements in numerous required fields based on information contained in the application.
(limit characters)
3. Please select the response that best describes your experience verifying applications satisfy requirements and are given a filing date and serial number.
(limit characters)
4. Please select the response that best describes your experience forwarding applications not meeting requirements to legal policy for further review and a final determination.
(limit characters)
5. Please select the response that best describes your experience identifying, researching and making determinations about marks utilizing Design Search Code manual, and applying the appropriate design search code(s).
(limit characters)
6. Please select the response that best describes your experience providing explanations of mark drawing and design search code determinations and researching information in response to internal customer inquiries.
(limit characters)
7. Please select the response that best describes your experience classifying goods and services based on specific wording in accordance with international classification guidelines.
(limit characters)
8. Please select the response that best describes your experience notifying appropriate office to delete the application from the automated system when it is determined that an application is informal.
(limit characters)
9. Please select the response that best describes your experience identifying, researching, making determinations, and applying appropriate pseudo marks utilizing pseudo mark guidelines and dictionaries.
(limit characters)