If your background is in design, art, architecture, or a related field, come join us at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a design patent examiner! Our patent examiners evaluate next-generation technologies, products, tools, and systems that change how billions of people connect, explore, and interact with one another. The patents we issue and the trademarks we register have the potential to change the world!
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Duties
As a design patent examiner, you will:
- Perform work in the examination of applications for United States patents pertaining to the form, appearance, and ornamentation of articles of manufacture.
- Use professional knowledge of designs and practices to evaluate the invention claimed in each patent application.
- Use a broad knowledge of past and current developments in the design to uncover previous inventions, as represented by domestic and foreign patents, supply catalogs, style books, etc., that affect the novelty claimed in the application.
- Use well developed visual aptitude, specialized knowledge of patent laws, rules, regulations and procedures to determine whether the application and its claimed invention meet all legal requirements for the granting of design patents.
How to apply
- TO APPLY, apply on USAJOBS by the first cut-off date of 10/6/2024
- IF YOU ARE A VETERAN: We love hiring vets! Veterans interested in applying, please first email a copy of your resume, academic transcripts, and DD-214 to HireVets@uspto.gov. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/USPTOVeterans
- IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY: Individuals with disabilities are a large part of helping further our goal of protecting our nation’s intellectual property rights. If you have a disability and are interested in applying, you may be eligible for special consideration under Schedule A. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3C4vdZM
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS include:
A) Degree (BA/BS) in industrial design, product design, architecture, applied arts, graphic design, fine/studio arts or art teacher education OR courses equivalent to a major in one of the above disciplines
OR
B) a combination of related courses totaling at least 20 semester hours in industrial design, product design, architecture, applied arts, graphic design, fine/studio arts, or art teacher education, plus appropriate experience or additional education
OR
C) four years of experience in the field of industrial design, product design, architecture, applied arts, graphic design, fine/studio arts, or art teacher education that demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the field involved in the position to be filled equivalent to that which would have been obtained through successful completion of a full 4-year degree. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.
Education
Unless otherwise indicated by the school, 18 semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study.
The full list of qualifications and educational requirements can be found on the USAJOBS posting.
Conditions of Employment
Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals and your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies. If selected, you will be required to pass a background investigation.
The full list of conditions and qualifications can be found on the job announcement.
The USPTO strives to embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of our work. Intellectual property is most effective when people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives participate in exchanges with others and programs to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity for the benefit of all Americans and people around the world. The USPTO incorporates DEIA best practices throughout our exchanges, programs, and community partnerships, and in our workforce and workplace. The agency is committed to addressing barriers based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, geographic location, education, income, socioeconomic status, and other diversity dimensions that may hinder inclusion in the organization. The USPTO’s commitment to DEIA strengthens the intellectual property ecosystem and is vital to building trust and partnerships in the United States and around the world.