I applied online through USAJobs. After about 2-3 weeks, I was contacted to schedule a Microsoft Teams interview.
Interview started with taking a design assessment that was 5 questions and lasted 15 minutes. Included some open ended questions, like looking at 2 diagrams and spotting the similarities and differences, drawing in missing parts, and other basic questions.
After that, I met with three of the Design Patent Examiner Supervisors. They discussed the position a little with me, discussing how design patent examiners compare to other positions within USPTO. Talked about the 6 week training academy, TW policy, roles and responsibilities, and some thought provoking standard interview questions. Took about 50 mins.
Immediately afterwards, I met with a current Design Patent Examiner via Microsoft Teams, where I was able to ask more job related questions and was given more details about the in's and out's of being a design patent examiner.
About a month later, I was contacted with a job offer. Only complaints I have are that on usajobs, they provide a salary range, but I was told that everyone starts at the lowest GS level and salary level. Personally, I don't think a range should be given if that is the case. Additionally, HR does not respond back in a timely manor to calls or emails, if at all.
There are things required after you are made an offer, such as providing electronic transcripts from your school's registrar office (can't provide PDF copies), filling out an OF-306 form, Covid-19 vaccination proof, scheduling fingerprinting, waiting for a background check/public trust clearance, and filing out your E-Qip questionnaire (which cannot be done until the other steps are complete.)
Total interview Process: 2-3 weeks
Time to receive offer: ~1 Month
Time between offer and start date: ~ 1 Month