As agencies look to design the next generation of technology infrastructure, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is looking to veterans to fill IT vacancies.
“USPTO has undertaken a multi-year effort to modernize all of its major IT systems and is actively seeking skilled, innovative leaders to help transform the agency with next-generation technology,” John Owens, chief information officer of USPTO said in a statement. “America’s veterans have demonstrated tremendous leadership and commitment in their service to our country and represent a valuable resource in our continued success moving forward.”
The agency will host a career fair June 14 and 15 at its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, targeted toward veterans who are transitioning, or have recently transitioned, from active duty. The event is free and open to veterans seeking jobs in the federal IT realm, and they will have the opportunity to interview on site for vacancies at USPTO. The deadline to register is June 10.
“There are available positions in the areas of cybersecurity, data architecture, desktop support, software engineering development, systems development and testing, and web development, among others,” the release said.
In 2013, the Partnership for Public Service named the USPTO as the No. 1 best place to work in the federal government.
USPTO, in the past year, has been using agile development, focusing on user involvement and ongoing feedback. The agency is working to provide examiners with enhanced tools in order to improve the workflow for patent and trademark examiners, according to a blog post from Owens on the USPTO website.
Patents End to End, a new system currently in beta at USPTO, will be unveiled later this year. The system streamlines the processing of patent applications and joins Trademarks Next Generation, a USPTO trademark system for public and official use.
New hires will join a growing USPTO staff, which has added more than 60 staff members in fiscal year 2014, the blog said.
“Attracting the right talent is critical to our mission,” Owens said on the blog. “[We] encourage veterans with top IT skills to join the USPTO.”
