The incumbent will serve as an Intellectual Property Attorney-Adviser (IP Attaché) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for the International Trade Administration/Global Markets (ITA/GM) and United States Patent and Trademark Office. This position reports to the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) Senior Commercial Officer and USPTO IP Attaché Program Director, who directs the incumbent, reviews the incumbent's performance and ensures consistency with agency and administration priorities.
Summary
The incumbent will serve as an Intellectual Property Attorney-Adviser (IP Attaché) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for the International Trade Administration/Global Markets (ITA/GM) and United States Patent and Trademark Office. This position reports to the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) Senior Commercial Officer and USPTO IP Attaché Program Director, who directs the incumbent, reviews the incumbent's performance and ensures consistency with agency and administration priorities.
The Attorney-Adviser provides authoritative advice and guidance to post senior and executive staff, U.S. Embassy executives, other government agencies, international organizations, U.S. businesses, and foreign governments regarding complex legal issues, opinions specifically related to intellectual property rights, U.S. law, and the intellectual property infrastructure in the host country.
As the Attorney-Adviser, the incumbent serves as adviser to U.S. Embassy staff, other DOC agencies, Foreign Service Commercial staff at posts, other U.S. government agencies, and U.S. companies; interpreting U.S. and host country laws, calling their attention to host country actions that may affect U.S. intellectual property policy and business concerns.
Typical duties performed include but are not limited to:
Advocating on behalf of the U.S. government with foreign governments regarding intellectual property protection issues in the host country(s).
Providing legal assistance in the formulation and interpretation of international agreements and domestic and foreign laws on intellectual property protection and identifies courses of action that advance U.S. economic and intellectual property rights interests.
Meeting with U.S. and foreign government dignitaries and, as necessary, business representatives to explain intellectual property requirements and restrictions and possible effects of the host country’s changes to its intellectual property rights laws and/or its disregard of U.S. business intellectual property rights.
Developing guidance, as well as training and capacity building programs, pertaining to the protection of U.S. intellectual property rights in the host country and for use by U.S. and foreign governments and U.S. foreign businesses.
Serving as a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office representative on U.S. delegations to international meetings on intellectual property to develop international agreements.
Evaluating proposed treaties and bilateral agreements to discern their possible effect on U.S. programs, policies, and regulations and potential restrictions on U.S. businesses.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
Must pass pre-employment & post-employment random drug testing.
Must be registered with Selective Service System.
Please see "Other Information" for Conditions of Employment.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Please see "Other Information" for requirements and Conditions of Employment.
Any required investigations and clearances must be completed before the selectee can be placed in the position.
Qualifications
To qualify for the FP-905-01 (GS-15 equivalency), you must have a minimum of six years of professional legal/law experience and 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of a GS-14 in the Federal Service.
Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to clearly demonstrate the required professional law experience, specialized experience and knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of foreign and domestic intellectual property laws, the effect of U.S. political relationships and positions with respect to other countries on the protection of intellectual property internationally, foreign and domestic laws affecting the rights of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals and/or international agreements, treaties, etc., including business or economic matters affecting the same.
Ability to prepare expert legal analysis on intellectual property issues developing in the host country and the region.
Ability to express orally and in writing complex legal issues and interrelationships of public policy interests and issues impacting agency programs.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with high-level officials.
Ability to supervise professional staff and managing resources in a technical or legal organization.
Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:
Experience demonstrating knowledge of all fields of Intellectual Property (IP) and International IP agreements;
Experience assisting in and/or devising the correct strategy for resolving complex issues by applying sound knowledge of the fields of foreign policy, international trade and IP;
Experience providing guidance and assistance in negotiating on IP matters in bilateral and/or multilateral settings;
Experience providing guidance and assistance on principles governing protection of IP (i.e. patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, etc.) and/or treaties administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to monitor and assess compliance of foreign governments' implementation of trade agreements and international trade obligations; AND
Experience demonstrating knowledge of US statues, regulations decisions, policies and international arrangements pertaining to international trade and IP to develop proposals or recommendations that may affect domestic and IP international law or affect the role or operation of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Professional Legal/Law Experience for all attorneys: Professional legal/law experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled. This experience is characterized by breadth and depth of experience in rendering professional legal advice and services with respect to questions, regulations, practices, or other matters falling within the purview of a Federal government agency, private sector, law firm, or other organization; preparing interpretative and administrative orders, rules, or regulations to give effect to the provisions of governing statutes or other requirements of law; drafting, negotiating, or examining contracts or other legal documents; drafting, preparing formal comments, or making substantive recommendations regarding proposed legislation; editing and preparing for publication statutes enacted by Congress and opinions or decisions of a court, commission, or board; drafting and reviewing decisions for consideration and adoption by an organization or official; conducting investigations to obtain facts; determining questions of law; studying, analyzing and evaluating legal precedents, to present findings. Legal work is described as extremely complex and difficult and requires a high order of original and creative legal endeavor in balancing conflicting interests; has broad or wide-scope impact on an economy, industry, private or public interests; and may involve directly or indirectly very large sums of money. Work may also involve acting as principal attorney in charge of the preparation and presentation of cases; recommending policies and developing procedures and regulations to implement new or amended legislation; and acting as legal, general or senior counsel to a major firm or organization.
QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements criteria by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
POSITIVE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: You must have a graduate degree, with an LL.M. or J. D. from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association, or a State Accredited Law School. In addition, you must and be an ACTIVE member in GOOD STANDING of a Bar Association within a State, Territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/).
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.
Additional information
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
SECURITY CLEARANCE: You must obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
DRUG TESTING: Under the Department of Commerce's Drug Free Workplace Plan, all applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment, and if appointed the incumbent will be subjected to random drug testing procedures.
TOUR OF DUTY: Initial tour of duty is two years. Extension(s) up to a maximum of 5 years is possible; however, extensions are not guaranteed, and no promise of an extension is implied.
AGE REQUIREMENT: Must be 21 years of age.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: You must complete a Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment. SALARY AS A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER: Starting Foreign Service Officer Salary is commensurate with experience. Current Federal employees will be converted at their current grade level and pay shall be set at the Foreign Service salary that equals or exceeds the employee’s current pay.
MEDICAL CLEARANCE: You must be able to obtain a medical clearance for worldwide assignment (including dependents if applicable).
RE-EMPLOYMENT WITH LOSING AGENCY: An employee of any agency who accepts, with the consent of the head of that agency, a limited appointment in the Foreign Service under section 309 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 is entitled, upon the expiration of that appointment, to be reemployed in that employee's former position or in a corresponding or higher position in that agency. Upon reemployment under this section, an employee shall be entitled to any within-grade increases in pay which the employee would have received if the employee had remained in the former position in the agency.
APPLICANTS WITH A DISABILITY: The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Office of Foreign Service Human Capital contact identified in this vacancy. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER.
SELECTIVE SERVICE REQUIREMENT: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify at the time of appointment that they have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Office of Foreign Service Human Resources contact identified in this vacancy. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. The Department of Commerce is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. EEO Policy Statement: http://www.usajobs.gov/vacancy/vac_eeo.asp Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement: http://www.usajobs.gov/vacancy/vac_reas_acc.asp Legal and Regulatory Guidance: http://www.usajobs.gov/vacancy/vac_legal_regulatory.asp.
FEDERAL STATUS: Current Federal applicants/employees will be appointed/converted at their current grade level. Upon appointment/conversion to the Foreign Service, there are no promotion opportunities. Employees will be converted/appointed in accordance with Sub Chapter 200-1 of DAO 202-900.
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.
Foreign Service Officer benefits include group life insurance, health benefits and Thrift Savings Plan; Government provided quarters or housing allowance, if overseas; generous leave accrual policy; cost of living adjustments and post differential pay for certain overseas assignments; and educational allowances for children if overseas 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. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of the experience and/or related education as reflected in your resume and supporting documentation. You are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show possession of the specialized experience required for this position. We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. A complete resume in your online application is required for consideration. (To create a Federal resume, please see the "How to Apply" section of this announcement.) We encourage you to review the resume that you submit and update it to accurately reflect your current experience, providing specifics that will help us verify the responses provided to the vacancy questions. If, after reviewing your resume and any supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your category placement may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Only the best qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application is incomplete. You must provide the required user information (including your resume in the Commerce on-line automated system), as well as responses to the questions specific to the vacancy in order to receive consideration. Your resume must support your answers to the questions in the vacancy announcement.
Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Grouping procedures. Under Category Grouping, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:
Gold (Best Qualified): Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis.
Silver (Well Qualified): Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis.
Bronze (Qualified): Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis.
If after review of your resume and supporting documents found to be in the Gold (Best Qualified) category, you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.
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.
Foreign Service Officer benefits include group life insurance, health benefits and Thrift Savings Plan; Government provided quarters or housing allowance, if overseas; generous leave accrual policy; cost of living adjustments and post differential pay for certain overseas assignments; and educational allowances for children if overseas 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. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.
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.
In addition to a resume and the assessment questions, you must submit copies of the following documents:
Resume - showing relevant experience.
Your resume MUST include the following information. Failure to do so may disqualify you from consideration for the position for which you are applying.
Full name, mailing address (including zip code), and day and evening telephone numbers.
Citizenship
If you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
Work experience including the dates (mm/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week. Include paid and Non-paid job-related work experience. For each job listed you are to provide:
Job title
Duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (mm/yy)
Salary
If Federal; Title, Series, and grade/pay band
Other Job-Related Qualifications Information: Provide training courses, special skills you possess, certificates and licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, etc. applicable to the position.
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable)- must include your current grade, step and series.
NOTE:An award SF-50 (i.e. cash or time off award) does not indicate grade or level (i.e. pay band) or tenure to determine your eligibility for this position and will not be accepted.
FAILURE TO SUBMIT (VIA UPLOAD) THE APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS MAY EXCLUDE YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
You may submit required and/or supplemental documents through any of the following methods:
Upload your file(s);
Download from your USAJOBS account.
If you have any issues uploading supporting documents or if you wish to fax in your documents, please contact mgshelp@monster.com or call 866-656-6831. Documentation Receipt Confirmation: If you fax in your documentation, you will receive an email notification from mgssupport@monster.com. If you do not receive this confirmation email within 24 to 48 hours, please call the help desk at (866) 656-6831. These documents must be received by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems faxing your supporting documents or you want to confirm receipt of all of your documents, please contact the HELP DESK by phone at 1-866-656-6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
All documents must be received by the closing date of this announcement.
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.
Applicants applying under this announcement are required to complete and submit an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS at website http://www.usajobs.gov/. The information you provide, and your resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to the Department of Commerce's application system when you apply on-line. Information you provide is general information that must be completed by all applicants.
There are several parts of the application process that will affect your overall evaluation:
Your on-line resume;
Your responses to the vacancy questions; and
Your supporting documentation.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received on-line by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. If you encounter technical difficulties during the application process please call 1-866-656-6831 Monday through Friday, 7:00AM to 7:00PM ET (excluding Federal holidays).
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Room 1861
Attn: Human Resources
Washington, District of Columbia 20230
United States
Next steps
Applicants will receive notice that their application has been received.
Applicants can check the status of their application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/.
Click on the MY USAJOBS, which brings you to the login screen.
Login to your account.
You can check your status by either clicking on Track your online job Applications or on the APPLICATIONS tab.
Note: USAJOBS accounts are deactivated after 18 months of inactivity. If your account has been deactivated, you should create an entirely new resume. It is to your advantage to update your resume at least twice a year to maintain your marketability and to avoid deactivation.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
In addition to a resume and the assessment questions, you must submit copies of the following documents:
Resume - showing relevant experience.
Your resume MUST include the following information. Failure to do so may disqualify you from consideration for the position for which you are applying.
Full name, mailing address (including zip code), and day and evening telephone numbers.
Citizenship
If you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
Work experience including the dates (mm/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week. Include paid and Non-paid job-related work experience. For each job listed you are to provide:
Job title
Duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (mm/yy)
Salary
If Federal; Title, Series, and grade/pay band
Other Job-Related Qualifications Information: Provide training courses, special skills you possess, certificates and licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, etc. applicable to the position.
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable)- must include your current grade, step and series.
NOTE:An award SF-50 (i.e. cash or time off award) does not indicate grade or level (i.e. pay band) or tenure to determine your eligibility for this position and will not be accepted.
FAILURE TO SUBMIT (VIA UPLOAD) THE APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS MAY EXCLUDE YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
You may submit required and/or supplemental documents through any of the following methods:
Upload your file(s);
Download from your USAJOBS account.
If you have any issues uploading supporting documents or if you wish to fax in your documents, please contact mgshelp@monster.com or call 866-656-6831. Documentation Receipt Confirmation: If you fax in your documentation, you will receive an email notification from mgssupport@monster.com. If you do not receive this confirmation email within 24 to 48 hours, please call the help desk at (866) 656-6831. These documents must be received by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems faxing your supporting documents or you want to confirm receipt of all of your documents, please contact the HELP DESK by phone at 1-866-656-6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
All documents must be received by the closing date of this announcement.
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.
Applicants applying under this announcement are required to complete and submit an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS at website http://www.usajobs.gov/. The information you provide, and your resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to the Department of Commerce's application system when you apply on-line. Information you provide is general information that must be completed by all applicants.
There are several parts of the application process that will affect your overall evaluation:
Your on-line resume;
Your responses to the vacancy questions; and
Your supporting documentation.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received on-line by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. If you encounter technical difficulties during the application process please call 1-866-656-6831 Monday through Friday, 7:00AM to 7:00PM ET (excluding Federal holidays).
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Room 1861
Attn: Human Resources
Washington, District of Columbia 20230
United States
Next steps
Applicants will receive notice that their application has been received.
Applicants can check the status of their application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/.
Click on the MY USAJOBS, which brings you to the login screen.
Login to your account.
You can check your status by either clicking on Track your online job Applications or on the APPLICATIONS tab.
Note: USAJOBS accounts are deactivated after 18 months of inactivity. If your account has been deactivated, you should create an entirely new resume. It is to your advantage to update your resume at least twice a year to maintain your marketability and to avoid deactivation.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
