Working for the USPTO

[whokebe]

has the PTO started hiring entry level examiners yet?

No idea here.  Personally, I prefer the discussion about chics with sweaters.  Has the PTO hired any chics with big racks and tight sweaters?  Sorry about degrading this forum.

Would a petition to the forum owner to allow images to be posted be in order?

Absolutely!

SFW

http://www.mopo.ca/uploaded_images/sweater-kittens-751079.jpg

[horeschute]

I'm not sure I understand.  I've made no lateral moves.  Still an associate.  Even a lateral move would still be an associate.  You're able to understand this, no?

About the PTO, your post also makes no sense again.  Why would I use an ex-canned examiner's "post" as a writing sample?

Horseshit, I really don't mean this in a bad way, but you just don't seem to understand the very basics of the English language and how large, respectable law firms function.

My main aspiration was to work at a large, respectable law firm.  If I had done so, my quick wit and unmatched perceptive abilities surely would have allowed me to gain an understanding of the function of such a firm.  Unfortunately, I was fired by the PTO for stalking a coworker, and thus had my registration number revoked.  While I was able to graduate law school, the state bar would not admit me after learning of the restraining order issued against me forbidding contact with my ex-coworker.

Nevertheless, my life is clearly superior to yours for reasons that I have explained ad nauseum in my many years-worth of long, dribbling, neurotic posts on this forum.

[horsechute]

My main aspiration was to work at a large, respectable law firm.  If I had done so, my quick wit and unmatched perceptive abilities surely would have allowed me to gain an understanding of the function of such a firm.  Unfortunately, I was fired by the PTO for stalking a coworker, and thus had my registration number revoked.  While I was able to graduate law school, the state bar would not admit me after learning of the restraining order issued against me forbidding contact with my ex-coworker.

Nevertheless, my life is clearly superior to yours for reasons that I have explained ad nauseum in my many years-worth of long, dribbling, neurotic posts on this forum.

[Examinerguy]

A few questions for the board:

1) What is the best way to get hired by the PTO as a new examiner?
2) How soon can one hotel after being trained?
3) What are the specific reqs for hoteling (1 hr/wk in Alexandria)?

Thanx

1. Not hiring new examiners right now? Or maybe very limited. Goto usajobs
2. 2 years and GS-12 and fully successful
3. 2 hr/bi-week, 1 hr on separate days. 

[petethebody]

USA jobs says they have are hiring n00bs to be examiners. 

Teach me, oh wise ones, how to become an examiner! Share your insights, ye noble examiners!  Help me make my application shine like the sun!

[mk1023]

USA jobs says they have are hiring n00bs to be examiners. 

Teach me, oh wise ones, how to become an examiner! Share your insights, ye noble examiners!  Help me make my application shine like the sun!

It doesn't say they're hiring newbies. It says they're hiring "experienced intellectual property (IP) professionals". That said if you don't have any experience it isn't beyond the realm of possibility that you could convince USPTO HR of the exact opposite with some liberal descriptions of your past work experience.

[Freddy]

"Help me make my application shine like the sun!"

If you are a chick with a big rack, you may qualify for a 12-point "sweater preference."
 

[petethebody]

It doesn't say they're hiring newbies. It says they're hiring "experienced intellectual property (IP) professionals". That said if you don't have any experience it isn't beyond the realm of possibility that you could convince USPTO HR of the exact opposite with some liberal descriptions of your past work experience.

The old posting I linked to was for re-hiring experienced examiners.  The new one posted this week says nothing about hiring "experienced intellectual property (IP) professionals." http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=85627686&q=patent&sort=rv%2c-dtex&vw=b&re=134&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&caller=default.aspx&AVSDM=2010-01-21+11%3a41%3a00&rc=3&TabNum=3 In fact, it only talks about having an undergraduate degree in engineering and sending your transcripts, etc. 

I may be missing something big time, but I think this is a genuine entry level opening.

[petethebody]

"Help me make my application shine like the sun!"

If you are a chick with a big rack, you may qualify for a 12-point "sweater preference."

Assume not

[mk1023]

I got the "experienced" part from the main page. Patent examiner is the featured job. If you click the link on the main page you get this page: https://my.usajobs.gov/FeaturedArticle/FeaturedArticleContent.aspx?ArticleID=382&ArticleTypeID=1&count=1 which says:

We Are Seeking:
·         experienced IP professionals for all patent technology centers;
·         knowledgeable IP professionals in administrative and legal matters associated with the patent process;
·         IP professionals with ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

That page also links to the same listing you posted.

Also the job listing is listed at GS-11 which is not entry level. Also read the specialized experience section

[dablueman]

Also the job listing is listed at GS-11 which is not entry level. Also read the specialized experience section

Coming in as a GS-11 seems suicidal (which is why they stopped hiring phDs at GS-11). To meet the production requirements of a GS-11 without the benefit of a developed docket would mean long days and weekends trying to get the counts from only new cases while learning the art they put you in. Even on the new 1.25 system that seems crazy. Also, you wouldn't get the benefit of the long period in the training academy with no production to learn the computer systems that the office uses. For non EE or CS people that's a lot to ask.

[petethebody]

Thanks for putting that in context.  I'll still apply, but it is good to be managing my expectations.

[FeedMeLaw]

Coming in as a GS-11 seems suicidal (which is why they stopped hiring phDs at GS-11). To meet the production requirements of a GS-11 without the benefit of a developed docket would mean long days and weekends trying to get the counts from only new cases while learning the art they put you in. Even on the new 1.25 system that seems crazy. Also, you wouldn't get the benefit of the long period in the training academy with no production to learn the computer systems that the office uses. For non EE or CS people that's a lot to ask.

Completely agree. Going in as a GS-5 or 7 will keep your production requirements lower and give you ample time to improve. If you're that good, climbing the ladder thereafter will be quick and easy.

-feedmelaw.com
"Where you go when you're hungry for law"

[mk1023]

"At the end of this evaluation, an error rate will be calculated for this eleement. This is done by counting the number of actions reviewed having a clear error and dividing by the total number of Office actions which the examiner has been delegated the authority to independently sign and which has been counted during the trial period. In order to be fully successful the error rate must not exceed 5.49 percent."

If you don't recognize the above text, you'll see it when you start the program. I don't think the "error rate" makes a whole lot of sense. Since they only review 17 cases, technically I could send out 1000 rejections and have an "error rate" that is at most 1.7%. This calculation favors AUs with low BDs.

[dablueman]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/us/politics/26budget.html

"The freeze would cover the agencies and programs for which Congress allocates specific budgets each year, from air traffic control and farm subsidies to education, nutrition and national parks."

Anyone know if this new initiative will apply to the USPTO since the PTO's budget is allocated by Congress each year? If so you can kiss any chance of progress on the backlog goodbye.