[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]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

United States Patent and Trademark Office


Patent Examiner Employment Application

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Estimated time     Estimated       Estimated
               Item No.                           Item             for response       annual       annual burden
                                                                     (minutes)       responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.....................................  Patent Examiner Employee              30          16,103         8,051.5
                                         Application.
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.............................  ........................  ..............          16,103         8,051.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P