|
|
Author |
Topic: Working for the USPTO (Read 452780 times) |
|
gues284
Guest
|
 |
Re: Working for the USPTO
« Reply #855 on: Feb 19th, 2007, 8:00am » |
 Quote  Modify
 Remove
|
Do employees working at the USPTO receive any bonuses/incentives at the end of the year for their production?
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
mandejapan
Junior Member
Posts: 58
|
|
Re: Working for the USPTO
« Reply #856 on: Feb 19th, 2007, 12:00pm » |
Quote Modify
|
guest284: On the benefits page it mentions "Performance Awards and Productivity Gainsharing" as one of the benefits. Although I do not work for the USPTO, I would assume the Performance Awards process is similar in all of the government. At the end of your rating period, an appraisal is performed by your supervisor where he/she rates you on a scale of 1 to 5, based on how your performance objectives. Then he/she will give you an appraisal performance award based on how you score. Usually the performance award is something like a certain percentage of your salary bonus like maybe 1-5% of your salary. Another award could be a QSI (Quality Step Increase) where let's say you were a GS 13, Step 4, then they can promote you to a GS 13, Step 5 as an award. I'm not sure how the "Productivity Gainsharing" works but I think that's based on your Art Unit's overall production levels? A current PTO employee would have to comment on that.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
mandejapan
Junior Member
Posts: 58
|
|
Re: Working for the USPTO
« Reply #857 on: Feb 19th, 2007, 12:14pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Wondering if anyone here that has recently been hired by the PTO worked a different federal job before transitioning to the PTO....if so, may I ask you how they determined what GS level you start at and your general promotion scale? I ask because I've heard several different things such as they try and start you at a position equivalent to your current GS salary, or you are eligible for 6 month accelerated promotions up to whatever your current GS level was in the federal agency that you transitioned from.
For example, say someone was a GS 12, Step 2 working for another federal agency in DC on the regular DC payscale:
http://opm.gov/oca/07tables/html/dcb.asp
On that scale he/she would have a $68,993 salary. If you compare that to the USPTO special salary rate table:
http://usptocareers.gov/salaryrates.asp
the lowest rank you could start at on that table with a matched salary is GS 09, Step 9 which is $70,322.
Also, since you were a GS 12 when you left your current government agency, would that make you eligible for 2 six month accelerated promotions to get to the GS 12 level at the PTO, as long as you're making the appropriate production levels? So, basically you could possibly make it from a GS 9 to a GS 12 in 1 year from when you start?
Wondering if anyone here knows anything about this. Appreciate your feedback...
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
GuestV
Guest
|
|
Re: Working for the USPTO
« Reply #858 on: Feb 20th, 2007, 9:05pm » |
Quote Modify
Remove
|
Haven't visited these boards in a while, and i just quickly looked over the new posts, but here's some info (i was in the june pta class, moved into the TC last bi-week):
- Don't get your hopes up about getting a promotion at 6 months and then again at 1 year -- of course the SPEs interviewing you are going to give you the best case scenario, but it is quite rare that someone actually gets the promotions at the 6 and 12 month marks. It's not that you won't ever work up to it; maybe you can get them at 8 months and 16; everyone has their own learning curve/pace. Although, if you REALLY want the promotions, it's definitely possible.
- I know very little about the bonuses myself, but I believe there are 2 or 3 of them that potentially give you what would be a 5% bonus (or was it 10?) by the end of the year. If I'm not mistaken, one of them is based purely on production (110%, 120%, 130%), and one is based on your workflow.
- For apartments, I'd say most neighborhoods around the pto are decent. If you're looking to live by yourself for under $1000, try some places west of the pto, north of duke st, around 395/VanDorn. Places around Arlington are going to be more expensive and easier to commute by Metrorail (vs driving/MetroBus/DASH), but also keep in mind that you can be subsidized up to ~$110/mo. for public transportation, and the parking garage is $90/mo.
- @jchris: if starting in July, by late October, I'm guessing you will be in production (each class is tweaked a little differently, so I can't say for certain). The trainers/SPEs are pretty good (no problems at all, in fact) about giving leave, and you'll have less and less lectures as you get into the program -- your situation shouldn't be a problem.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
mandejapan
Junior Member
Posts: 58
|
|
Re: Working for the USPTO
« Reply #859 on: Feb 21st, 2007, 2:45pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Does anyone know when the next few Patent Training Academies begin? I heard one started yesterday, 2/20. Do any start in March and April and if so what dates? I believe one starts on May 28th and on June 11th.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
|
|
Forums
Help
Search
Members
Calendar
Login
Register
Reply
Send Topic
Print