[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34722-34723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14214]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Patent Examiner Employment Application
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part
of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden,
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on the continuing information collection, as
required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 18, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
Email: [email protected]. Include ``0651-
0042 comment'' in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, Office of the
Chief Information Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office,
P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
should be directed to the attention of LaRita Jones, Chief of the
Workforce Employment Division, Office of Human Resources, United States
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA
22313-1450; by telephone at 571-272-6196; or by email to
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
In the current employment environment, information technology
professionals and engineering graduates are in great demand. The USPTO
is in direct competition with private industry for the same caliber of
candidates with the requisite knowledge and skills to perform patent
examination work. The use of automated online systems allows the USPTO
to remain competitive, meet hiring goals, and fulfill the agency's
Congressional commitment to reduce the pendency rate for the
examination of patent applications. The information supplied by an
applicant seeking a patent examiner position with the USPTO assists the
Human Resources Specialists and hiring managers in determining whether
an applicant possesses the basic qualification requirements for the
patent examiner position.
The Monster Hiring Management (MHM) system is an automated online
system that allows the USPTO to rapidly review applications for
employment of entry-level patent examiners. The Office of Human
Resources (OHR) can use the system to rapidly review applications for
employment and take the necessary administrative action to support the
hiring process.
The online application creates an electronic real-time candidate
inventory that allows the USPTO to review applications from potential
applicants almost instantaneously. Given the immediate hiring need of
the Patent Examining Corps, time consumed in the mail distribution
system or paper review of applications delays the decision-making
process by several weeks. The MHM system results in increased speed and
accuracy in the employment process, in addition to streamlining labor
and reducing costs.
The use of the MHM online application fully complies with 5 U.S.C.
Sec. 2301, which requires adequate public notice to assure open
competition by guaranteeing that necessary employment information will
be accessible and available to the public on inquiry. It is also fully
compliant with Section 508 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(d)), which requires
agencies to provide disabled employees and members of the public access
to information that is comparable to the access available to others.
II. Method of Collection
With the use of MHM, the application information is collected
electronically from the applicant. The USAJobs.gov Web site provides
the online job announcement that links the applicant to the application
and the MHM system. The application is completed online and then
transmitted to the USPTO via the Internet.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0651-0042.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 16,103 responses per year.
Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take
the public approximately 30 minutes (0.5 hours) to complete the
employment
[[Page 34723]]
application, depending upon the applicant's situation.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 8,051.5 hours.
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Estimated time Estimated Estimated
Item No. Item for response annual annual burden
(minutes) responses hours
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1..................................... Patent Examiner Employee 30 16,103 8,051.5
Application.
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Total............................. ........................ .............. 16,103 8,051.5
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Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $359,822. Using the
median hourly rate for scientists and engineers of $44.69 as derived
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the USPTO estimates $359,822 per
year in cost burden associated with respondents. This is a fully loaded
hourly rate.
Estimated Total Annual (Non-hour) Respondent Cost Burden: $0. There
are no filing fees or start-up, maintenance, record keeping, or postage
costs associated with this information collection.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will
become a matter of public record.
The USPTO is soliciting public comments to: (a) Evaluate whether
the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of
the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected; and (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of responses.
Dated: June 13, 2014.
Susan K. Fawcett,
Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-14214 Filed 6-17-14; 8:45 am]
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