Patent Review Quality Assurance Specialist

Help shape the future of patent quality.

The Office of Patent Quality Assurance (OPQA) is hiring highly skilled technical experts to help improve how patent examination is evaluated across the USPTO. These roles blend technical expertise, strategic thinking, and collaboration to boost examination quality, strengthen examiner performance, and support consistent application of patent laws and examination policy.

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. For more information, please visit the OPM Qualifications Standards.

Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14 in the Federal service:

• Reviewing patent examination work products, including office actions, allowances, or Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications, and applying patent laws, regulations, policies, and examination procedures to evaluate examination quality;
  AND
• Analyzing patent examination data, technical issues, or quality review findings to identify trends, recommend improvements, and strengthen patent examination programs, policies, or procedures;
  AND
• Advising managers or patent examiners, delivering technical training or coaching, and communicating quality review findings to improve examiner performance and examination consistency.

Selective Placement Factor:
Must have full signatory authority.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.