- Position Title
- Senior Associate Ombudsman
- Agency
- Patent and Trademark Office
- Announcement Number
- TMCO - OUSD-24-12410880-MP Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, May 20, 2024 to Friday, May 31, 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?
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.
- have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
- are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more? For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/.
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.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
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.
- 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.
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:
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).
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:
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.
- 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.
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.
For more information on interchange agreements and similar authorities, click here.
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?
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.
- 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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
11.
Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was 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 service which includes character of service.
- 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.
Preferences
1.
How did you hear about this USPTO job opportunity? (No Choice Limit)
2.
Have you held a political appointment within the previous five-year period?
3.
If you are a current or former Federal civilian employee, by what agency/office or Department of Commerce bureau are you employed?
4.
If you answered "Other" to the above question, please enter the agency and organization.
Assessment 1
Thank you for 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.
1.
Specialized Experience: Candidates for the GS-14 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Do you meet all of the below specialized experience requirements for this position?
Experience analyzing conflict and formulating or collaborating on the formulation of initiatives to resolve conflict as an ombuds;
Experience addressing new, complex, or unique issues as an ombuds, including issues representing a departure from previous practices;
Experience serving as a liaison between an employee and management; or
Experience with using the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques and processes used in organizational ombuds practice, including understanding the mechanisms and benefits of each.
Experience analyzing conflict and formulating or collaborating on the formulation of initiatives to resolve conflict as an ombuds;
Experience addressing new, complex, or unique issues as an ombuds, including issues representing a departure from previous practices;
Experience serving as a liaison between an employee and management; or
Experience with using the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques and processes used in organizational ombuds practice, including understanding the mechanisms and benefits of each.
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below.
2.
Guide individual and group inquirers as an ombuds in articulating and defining concerns, listen impartially, ask clarifying questions, gather relevant background information, and assess the dynamics of inquiry issues.
3.
Apply 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.
4.
Help parties analyze issues and concerns and explore possible resolution options as an ombuds while maintaining impartiality, independence, and confidentiality.
5.
Design and initiate agency-wide, multi-unit, business unit-specific, and work unit-specific systemic reviews and programmatic interventions as an ombuds and in collaboration with other ombuds personnel as needed.
6.
Meet 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. Maintain impartiality while providing this assistance.
7.
Design and initiate 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.
8.
Advise as an ombuds on the design, redesign, and expansion of organization-wide dispute resolution systems and processes.
9.
Design and develop a wide array of marketing materials to ensure that individuals are both aware of and understand available ombudsman services.
10.
Originate and implement marketing and outreach strategies aligned with the policies and goals of the ombudsman in increasing awareness of ombuds services.
11.
Maintain and analyze data as an ombuds to identify systemic problems and trends within the confines of federal laws and regulations and the IOA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
12.
Capture ombudsman inquiry data accurately in conjunction with the Office's data glossaries.
13.
Draw inferences, outline options, and provide feedback and recommendations as an ombuds to parties in conflict, managers, and senior leadership.
14.
Coordinate as an ombuds with agency officials, employee resources, and work units responsible for other informal and formal dispute resolution processes and resources, including employee assistance programs, Human Resources staff, civil rights/EEO offices such as the USPTO Office of Equal Employment and Diversity, and counsel's offices such as the USPTO Office of General Counsel.
15.
Represent the Office of the Ombudsman on organizational committees and at leadership meetings as appropriate. Speak on behalf of the head of the ombuds office as needed.
16.
Promote both effective communication practices and the availability and value of ombudsman services.