USPTO INTERN PROGRAM - STUDENT TRAINEE

Summary This exciting internship opportunity will start early June and will not exceed 90 days. Imagine starting your career working side by side with intellectual property (IP) leaders as part of USPTO's Internship Program. Join us as part of a team that makes meaningful changes with a global impact across the IP Community. Duties As a USPTO Intern, you will receive practical, virtual hands-on experience by engaging in a variety of diverse and challenging activities. This exciting opportunity is ideal for you if: You're inspired by innovative environments that allow you to contribute to the accomplishment of organizational goals. You're interested in engaging directly with agency leadership to gain insight into the USPTO mission by participating in regular senior level sessions. You desire to explore federal careers while completing your education. You enjoy learning through routine and recurring developmental assignments which will help acquire knowledge and understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods used in the areas of innovation and intellectual property while completing your education. You're committed to training and development on various topics relating to the USPTO and government service. You're interested in getting experience in legal writing and analysis. You're excited about assisting with special projects and new initiatives. You're a relationship builder who finds enjoyment in participating in group/team assignments and assisting with research, analysis, statistics and reporting out your findings. You're an effective writer who finds interest in drafting various documents and reports, creating spreadsheets and charts, etc., to present a variety of data and information. You are excited to assist with IT projects that will change the way we do business. You're enthused and interested in observing appeal hearings, cases, and panels. You'll get to choose from one of the Organizational Offices below where you can best showcase your skills and make an immediate impact. The Office of the Under Secretary (OUS) Office of the Commissioner for Patents (Patents) Office of the Commissioner for Trademarks (Trademarks) Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (OCAO) Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA) Office of the Chief Communications Officer (OCCO) Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Office of Public Engagement (OPE) Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office of General Counsel (OGC) Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen or national. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov) Must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student in a qualifying educational institution. Must be at least 16 years of age. Must be in good academic standing. This is a temporary NTE 90-day excepted service appointment. Qualifications To Be Eligible for an Appointment Under the Pathways Internship Program you must meet the following requirements: Student applicants must be accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled. Student Trainees must be in good academic standing, as defined by the institution they are attending. Generally, a student must maintain at least a 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) for undergraduate programs (cumulative; no rounding) and a 3.0 GPA for advanced degree programs. Individuals must meet the definition of a student throughout the duration of their internship appointment. To qualify for this position, you must meet BOTH the Pathway Internship Eligibility requirements as well as the minimum Qualifications for the position. 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. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at Pathways Internship positions. To qualify for the GS-4 grade level: Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree. Two full academic years of undergraduate credit hours determined by the college or university attended. All education beyond high school must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. To qualify for the GS-5 grade level: Completion of 4 full academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree. Qualifying education includes technical, trade, or vocational school; college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school or medical school); or a post-secondary homeschool curriculum. All education beyond high school must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) 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. Education Please note that if you are a Spring or Summer 2026 graduate, you will not be eligible for this internship opportunity unless you are accepted for enrollment at a qualifying educational institution seeking an additional degree (diploma, certificate, degree program, etc.) or an advanced degree. You must submit proof of acceptance along with your current transcripts for consideration. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to General Schedule Qualifications Policies for more information. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of coursework and the degree. A listing of services that can perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. Additional information This is a student internship temporary Excepted Service appointment position under the Pathways Internship Program. This is a non-bargaining unit position. This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of "LOW". Background Investigation: If selected for this position, you may be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), to determine your suitability for Federal employment. The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit the Department of Homeland Security Website Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid. All federal employees are required to have federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: OPM CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement. More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued. All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, retaliation for engaging in protected activity, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. If you believe that you have been discriminated against and would like to file an EEO complaint, you must do so within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. Claims of employment discrimination must be submitted to the attention of the USPTO's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity via email ([email protected]) or phone (571-272-8292). Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.