Working at the Patent Office..what GS to start?

Question

Years ago I passed the patent bar. i have 2 years doing searches with the same system the PTO uses. I have searched over a thousand sequences in my experience. Will I start at GS 11? Which step? I have no phd and law firms will not hire me, so I'm looking for govt experience to help me break into the field. My resume gets 150 hits a month on Monster and everybody wants me as a secretary/paralegal. I hear people get job offers from all over the country after 2 yrs of examining. I am just curious as to what salary I would start with at the patent office (GS, step). I would start no lower than a 9, I am sure.

Answer 1

My guess is a 9 or 11, also, but I don't work for the US Patent Office. However, in the agencies I have worked for and with, paralegal type duties are normally in the 9-11-12 range, with the lower grades being entry level and the higher grades being considered "journey level." Generally, you always start out at step 1 of the GS level at which you are hired. However, sometimes they make exceptions. For example, if the position is only advertised at or approved as a GS-9 but you need more money than a GS-9 step 1 pays, they might be willing to hire you at a 9 step 5 (or whatever step comes closest to the rate of pay you are asking for). Usually, agencies only do that if a) they didn't get a very big pool of qualified applicants, and/or b) they really, really, REALLY want you, and even then, only if their budget and HR staff allow them to do so.

Hope this helps.