The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a progressive organization at the forefront of intellectual property issues around the world, is seeking a high performing professional to join its Senior Executive Team as Chief Administrative Patent Judge (Chief Judge).
Summary
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a progressive organization at the forefront of intellectual property issues around the world, is seeking a high performing professional to join its Senior Executive Team as Chief Administrative Patent Judge (Chief Judge).
The Chief Administrative Patent Judge (Chief Judge) is a full voting member of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (Board) as provided by Title 35 U.S. Code, Section 6, and is the immediate supervisor of the Deputy Chief Administrative Patent Judge and second-line supervisor for the Board Executive and all of the Vice Chief Administrative Patent Judges (Judges) assigned to the Board. The Director, the Deputy Director, the Commissioner for Patents, the Commissioner for Trademarks, and the several Administrative Patent Judges (including the Chief Judge, Deputy Chief Judge, Vice Chief Judges, and Lead Judges) constitute the membership of the Board. Any three or more of these individuals may constitute a 3-judge panel of the Board to render a decision in a patent appeal, an interference proceeding, a post grant review proceeding, an inter partes review proceeding, a derivation proceeding, or a proceeding under the Transitional Program for Covered Business Methods Patents (CBM). The Board also hears and adjudicates ex parte patent appeals from decisions of the Patent Examiners in the Patent Examination Corps. The Board also holds oral hearings when requested, and has the authority to grant rehearings.
With respect to patent appeals, final decisions of the Board, if unfavorable to an applicant, may be appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 141. Alternatively, dissatisfied applicants may elect to bring a civil action in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 145. With respect to interferences, final decisions of the Board, if unfavorable to a party, may be appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 141. Alternatively, dissatisfied parties may elect to bring a civil action in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 146. With respect to inter partes reviews, post grant reviews, and CBM proceedings, final decisions of the Board, if unfavorable to a party, may be appealed only to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 141. With respect to derivation proceedings, final decisions of the Board, if unfavorable to a party, may be appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 141. Alternatively, dissatisfied parties may elect to bring a civil action in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 146.
Subject to the direction of the Director, the Chief Judge is responsible for implementing USPTO rules and policies associated with patent appeals, interferences, post grant reviews, inter partes reviews, derivations, and CBM proceedings. These rules include Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 41: Subparts A through E, and Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 42: Subparts through D. Subject to the direction of the Director, and in coordination with other Agency leadership (such as the Commissioner for Patents, General Counsel, and Solicitor), the Chief Judge is also responsible for developing rules and regulations governing Board procedure, and periodically updating the same as circumstances warrant. Subject to the direction of the Director, the Chief Judge is also responsible for developing and implementing the Standard Operating Procedures necessary for the internal operation of the Board. In addition, the Chief Judge is charged with adhering to Agency policy (including but not limited to patent policy) and ensuring adherence to Agency policy by all Board Judges. Furthermore, the Chief Judge is charged with ensuring predictability, reliability, and consistency across the thousands of decisions issued every year by the several hundred Board judged that he or she oversees. Furthermore, the Chief Judge is responsible for adjudicating petitions for the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO.
The Chief Judge performs the comprehensive executive management, strategic planning, and financial functions essential to effective Board operation. Under authority that may be delegated by the Director, the Chief Judge may be responsible for the assignment of panels of administrative patent judges to adjudicate all patent appeals, interference and derivation proceedings, and AIA trial proceedings, on which panels the Chief Judge periodically serves. The Chief Judge further develops and implements quality, timeliness, and productivity performance standards for the Judges.
The Chief Judge interacts with the legal community, including the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, bar associations, etc., actively participates in public conferences and meetings, and makes presentations to foreign dignitaries regarding the Board.
Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
The Chief Judge must be a member in good standing of the Bar of any state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any territorial court under the Constitution. Furthermore, the Chief Judge must possess significant work experience in the field of patent law and management.
The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as amended, requires senior officials in the executive, legislative and judicial branches to file public reports of their finances as well as other interests outside the Government. If selected for this position you will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278). The OGE 278 is available to the public. The primary purpose of disclosure is to assist agencies in identifying potential conflicts of interest between a filer's official duties and the filer's private financial interests and affiliations.
Qualifications
Experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show that the candidate possesses the required professional/technical qualifications and executive core qualifications set forth below.
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.
Professional Technical Qualifications: Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application materials that they possess technical attributes in the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). The PTQs for this position are:
PTQ 1 - Expert knowledge of the legal principles and technical subject matter associated with patent appeals, interferences, post grant reviews, inter partes reviews, derivations, and CBM proceedings. Demonstrated ability to understand technical subject matter, apply relevant patent law legal principles involved in patent appeals, interferences, post grant reviews, inter partes reviews, derivations, and CBM, and effectively work in groups to resolve complex technical and legal issues.
PTQ 2 - Demonstrated executive level experience in directing, supervising, and evaluating the activities of a professional, technical, and legal organizational unit. Demonstrated ability to develop and achieve organizational goals, prepare and execute organizational budgets, delegate assignments, motivate subordinate groups and individuals, establish and execute programs to implement policies, and establish and maintain a positive working environment.
PTQ 3 - Demonstrated executive level experience in effectively communicating orally and in writing regarding complex technical and legal issues, as well as the ability to fully comprehend the complex technical and legal issues discussed in a work group, the ability to lead said working group(s), and the demonstrated experience to effectively interact with the legal community and other internal and external stakeholders.
Please Note: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM, only need to submit a resume and narrative statement covering each of the Professional Technical Qualification (PTQs) requirements and do NOT need to address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).
For the following five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), you are required to submit a narrative response addressing your specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that demonstrate your possession of these qualifications. Be sure to provide specific examples of what you've done that demonstrates your possession of each ECQ. For more information about the Executive Core Qualifications please visit this site: : https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf
Leading Change - This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
Leading People - This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
Results Driven - This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems and calculating risks.
Business Acumen - This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial and information resources strategically.
Building Coalitions- This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.
Education
Due to the complexity of this position, the Chief Judge must possess a technical degree and a law degree.
Additional information
Probationary Period: You will be required to serve a one-year probationary period unless you previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
You must be a graduate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association AND be an active member and maintain good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar
The incumbent may be required to submit to a drug test to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and, if appointed, the incumbent will be subjected to random drug testing procedures.
Veteran preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service.
Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders and generally is a key to advancement. Therefore, applicants are expected to be mobile and once appointed SES members may be reassigned at the discretion of the appointing authority.
Before entering on duty, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278. You will need to provide the information annually.
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit theSelective Service Systemwebsite for more information
This is a Non Bargaining Unit position. If selected for this position, you will be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), which includes a fingerprint and credit check, to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
Recruitment Incentives may be authorized.
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 pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, 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 & Diversity via email (oeeod@uspto.gov) or phone (571-272-8292).
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.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement
Federal agencies, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. USPTO job applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should request accommodation(s) from the USPTO at http://www.uspto.gov/accommodation. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your application. Applicants are encouraged to include in their resume, clear and concise examples of activities or tasks undertaken that shows the scope and quality of work experience, accomplishments, and/or executive potential. Your application will be evaluated by a rating and ranking panel, and highly qualified candidates will be submitted to the Selecting Official for further review and consideration.
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.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement
Federal agencies, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. USPTO job applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should request accommodation(s) from the USPTO at http://www.uspto.gov/accommodation. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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.
1)A resume or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications; optional cover letter: Your resume should indicate your citizenship and should list your educational and work experience. Please Note: Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating.
2)Your narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualification (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) questions. Do not write see attachment. Input responses when prompted.
3)Proof of active bar membership in good standing.
4)Technical and Law school transcripts. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above educational requirements. Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration.
Please submit a current SF-50 if you are a Federal Employee. If you are a current or previous Senior Executive Service career member you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) to show proof.
NOTE: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants must apply online. You can choose ONE of the following methods to submit Supporting Documents: 1) You can upload your documents when you register or update your information on the Department of Commerce application site which you access through the USAJobs site. OR 2) You can fax your documents to 571-258-4052 using the system generated fax cover sheet.Your application and all required documentation must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of this job announcement. Review your resume and responses carefully. Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your rating. Any experience claimed in a cover letter should be substantiated by information contained in your resume. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.
If you experience difficulties with the application process or do not have access to a computer, it is your responsibility to contact the HR Specialist listed in the "Contact Information" before the closing date of this job announcement. If you are a new user to the USAJobs Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJobs user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help setting up an account or for general help using USAJobs, go toUSAJobs Help Page. Once you have gathered all of the required information and are ready to begin the application process, click the "APPLY ONLINE" button at the right side of the page. You will then be directed away from USAJobs to the Department of Commerce application site for USPTO.
NEED HELP?If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail atMGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJobs "Saved Documents" feature.
PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
550 Elizabeth Lane
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
United States
Next steps
Candidates are evaluated by an executive rating panel based on the degree to which they meet the PTQs and ECQs, considering the applicant's education, work-related experience, training, awards, professional recognition and performance appraisals as set forth in the materials submitted by the candidates, and, if needed, upon a panel interview.
You will receive notification through USAJOBS at each of the following points during the application process: (1) application received; (2) applicant assessed for qualifications; (3) applicant referred or not referred; and (4) selected or not selected.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1)A resume or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications; optional cover letter: Your resume should indicate your citizenship and should list your educational and work experience. Please Note: Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating.
2)Your narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualification (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) questions. Do not write see attachment. Input responses when prompted.
3)Proof of active bar membership in good standing.
4)Technical and Law school transcripts. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above educational requirements. Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration.
Please submit a current SF-50 if you are a Federal Employee. If you are a current or previous Senior Executive Service career member you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) to show proof.
NOTE: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants must apply online. You can choose ONE of the following methods to submit Supporting Documents: 1) You can upload your documents when you register or update your information on the Department of Commerce application site which you access through the USAJobs site. OR 2) You can fax your documents to 571-258-4052 using the system generated fax cover sheet.Your application and all required documentation must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of this job announcement. Review your resume and responses carefully. Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your rating. Any experience claimed in a cover letter should be substantiated by information contained in your resume. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.
If you experience difficulties with the application process or do not have access to a computer, it is your responsibility to contact the HR Specialist listed in the "Contact Information" before the closing date of this job announcement. If you are a new user to the USAJobs Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJobs user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help setting up an account or for general help using USAJobs, go toUSAJobs Help Page. Once you have gathered all of the required information and are ready to begin the application process, click the "APPLY ONLINE" button at the right side of the page. You will then be directed away from USAJobs to the Department of Commerce application site for USPTO.
NEED HELP?If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail atMGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJobs "Saved Documents" feature.
PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
550 Elizabeth Lane
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
United States
Next steps
Candidates are evaluated by an executive rating panel based on the degree to which they meet the PTQs and ECQs, considering the applicant's education, work-related experience, training, awards, professional recognition and performance appraisals as set forth in the materials submitted by the candidates, and, if needed, upon a panel interview.
You will receive notification through USAJOBS at each of the following points during the application process: (1) application received; (2) applicant assessed for qualifications; (3) applicant referred or not referred; and (4) selected or not selected.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
