Do you want to be an influential leader overseeing national and international intellectual policy and engagements and advancing domestic and global innovation ecosystems? The USPTO is seeking a highly-motivated executive, as its next Chief Policy Officer and Director for International Affairs (CPO).
The CPO works directly with the Under Secretary and Director to shape U.S. policy - both international and domestic - to advance U.S. competitiveness, national security and economic prosperity.
Summary
Do you want to be an influential leader overseeing national and international intellectual policy and engagements and advancing domestic and global innovation ecosystems? The USPTO is seeking a highly-motivated executive, as its next Chief Policy Officer and Director for International Affairs (CPO).
The CPO works directly with the Under Secretary and Director to shape U.S. policy - both international and domestic - to advance U.S. competitiveness, national security and economic prosperity.
The Chief Policy Officer is part of the Executive Team for the USPTO-an over $4 Billion organization with over 13,000 employees. The Chief Policy Officer position is within the Senior Executive Service (SES) cadre, an elite group of senior government leaders who possess a diverse portfolio of experience and expertise required to lead across agencies.
The Chief Policy Officer serves as the executive head of the USPTO's Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA). This position is entrusted with reshaping our IP ecosystems to promote robust, reliable IP rights and enforcement.
OPIA is a global leader in domestic and international IP initiatives and policy development for the United States, and engages with Congress, federal agencies and international organizations on legislative efforts to develop and make accessible IP property ecosystem that fosters and protects innovation, entrepreneurism, new and emerging technologies, to vanquish inequities, generate economic growth, and solve world problems.
The Chief Policy Officer, will be vital in engaging with international partners (including the World Intellectual Property Organization and the United Nations) and with international standards bodies to promote pro-innovation and pro-IP policies and treaties that contribute to economic vitality worldwide.
The Chief Policy Officer is charged with providing strategic leadership over OPIA substantive policy teams with a focus on patents, trademarks, copyright, and enforcement. In addition, the Chief Policy Officer, leads the following areas:
IP Attaché Program, with attachés posted in 12 U.S. embassies, consulates, and missions abroad;
Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA), which provides intellectual property training in a variety of IP topics with classes conducted around the world;
Office of Chief Economist, which is responsible for advising on the economic implications of policies and programs affecting the U.S. IP system; and
Office of Governmental Affairs, which supports the USPTO by reviewing legislative and policy proposals concerning IP that originate in other executive agencies or were proposed by members of Congress, and forms and maintains cooperative working relationships with Congress, IP bar associations, industry, and others concerned with proposed and pending legislation.
This incredible opportunity to promote innovations that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come, through:
Formulating and overseeing the creation and evaluation of legislative and policy proposals, as well as the economic analysis and research to support them, and the preparation of supporting documentation to carry them out.
Overseeing analyses of IP-related policy issues before the Executive Branch, and solicitation and evaluation of public views, including through hearings and requests for comments.
Participating in the preparation of Congressional testimony and other public statements on IP policy issues for the Director, and other USPTO and Department of Commerce officials.
Establishing and maintaining growing partnerships with internal and external stakeholders concerning IP policy.
Maintaining a high level of representation, in overseeing the characterization of the United States at international forums and the participation in cooperative IP forums.
Leading the USPTO's participation in IP-related trade consultations, and the negotiation and implementation of the IP provisions in free trade agreements, bilateral investment treaties and other trade agreements.
Background and/or Security investigation, if selected for position.
Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance.
Must maintain membership of the Bar in Good Standing of any State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court under the U.S. Constitution.
Qualifications
Experience must demonstrate that the candidate possesses the necessary attributes of 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.
Please provide your narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualification (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) questions - Do not write "see resume".
Applicants are required to input narrative responses to the PTQs and ECQs in the text boxes as prompted by USAJobs. Each PTQ and each ECQ have a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) and must be adhered to.
Applicants must use the USA Jobs text boxes for submitting their PTQs and ECQs. Uploaded documents addressing the PTQ's and ECQs will not be accepted.
The candidate must possess the following Professional Technical Qualifications:
Demonstrated knowledge and experience of United States and international policies and affairs across the spectrum of IP subject matter such as patent, trademarks, trade secret, copyright and various related issues and rights.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience of international trade and Intellectual Property agreements.
Demonstrated experience with policy development, program planning/evaluation and resource management.
Demonstrated experience managing a large, diverse, and highly-skilled professional workforce in legal, policy, governmental, and intellectual property settings.
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 PTQs requirements and do NOT need to address the 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.
Applicants are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Result (C-C-A-R) model outlined in the Guide To SES Qualifications.
Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal.
Context - Describe the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked, to address a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).
Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.
Result - Give specific examples of measures/outcomes that had some impact on the organization. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.
Note: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel. Uploaded documents addressing the PTQ's and ECQs will not be accepted.
Education
The candidate must have a law degree from an accredited law school program and must be a member of a bar in good standing, in the United States or a Territory of the United States and must maintain membership of the bar. The individual must maintain membership of the bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico to uphold this position.
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.
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.
This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position. This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of "high" risk.
Except as prohibited by law, all applicants tentatively selected for positions needing a Top Secret Clearance, will be required to submit to a drug test to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and, if appointed, the incumbent may be subjected to random drug testing procedures.
Background Investigation: If selected for this position, you may 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.
Relocation Expenses may be authorized.
Veteran preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service.
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 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.
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.
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.
To be considered for this position, you must (1) demonstrate in your application package that you meet all the experience as defined under the "Qualifications" section, (2) answer the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs), Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), and submit a detailed resume that supports your answers to the PTQs, ECQs, and specialized experience.
Your responses to the PTQs, ECQs, and resume will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or for changing your scored responses to questions you've answered, which may affect your overall final score. Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the "Required Documents" section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).
Candidates who are evaluated by an executive rating panel based on the degree to which they meet the PTQs, ECQs, and considering the applicant's education, work-related experience, training, awards, and professional recognition, as set forth in the materials submitted by the candidates and placed in one of the pre-defined quality categories. These categories are "Highly Qualified", "Well Qualified" and "Qualified." Candidates placed in the "highest quality category" will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited 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.
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.
A resume or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications:
Your resume should indicate your citizenship and should list your educational and work experience including job titles, salary, employment dates, duties and accomplishments, experience and how it relates to the PTQs and ECQs in the job announcement. Please Note: Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating.
Written narrative responses to the PTQs and ECQs: Do not write "see resume". Applicants are required to input narrative responses to the PTQs and ECQs in the text boxes as prompted by USAJobs. Each PTQ and ECQ have a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) and must be adhered to. Uploading documents addressing the PTQs or ECQs will not be accepted.
Transcript (s): You must submit copies of your law school transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts.
Bar Membership Documentation: You must submit documentation showing that you are an active member of the Bar in Good Standing of any State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court under the U.S. Constitution.
Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): Please submit a current SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee, that indicates federal status, grade, tenure, and type of service. Please redact your social security number and date of birth.
NOTE: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel.
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. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.
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.
******If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose this information within your application.
You MUST apply online. If you experience difficulties with the application process or do not have access to a computer, please contact the HR Specialist listed as the point of contact 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 to USAJobs Help Page. Once you have gathered all of the required information and are ready to begin the application process, click the "APPLY" 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. You must click "Submit" at the end of the application process to send your application for consideration.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov/ and click on "Applications." Click on the position title, then select "Update Application. "If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! OPM has a Help feature on each page. Use this option when you need assistance. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJobs "Saved Documents" feature.
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is defined as information that can be traced back to a specific individual and potentially compromise their security or privacy. Examples of PII include: date of birth, Social Security Number, and place of birth. Please ensure that you have removed all Personally Identifiable Information from all documents prior to submitting or uploading your application material.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11769322
EXRD - Office of Policy and International Affairs
550 Elizabeth Lane
Alexandria, VA 22314
US
Next steps
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.
You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application."
You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJobs Account, editing your profile and changing the "Notification Settings" to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within 2 weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
A resume or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications:
Your resume should indicate your citizenship and should list your educational and work experience including job titles, salary, employment dates, duties and accomplishments, experience and how it relates to the PTQs and ECQs in the job announcement. Please Note: Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating.
Written narrative responses to the PTQs and ECQs: Do not write "see resume". Applicants are required to input narrative responses to the PTQs and ECQs in the text boxes as prompted by USAJobs. Each PTQ and ECQ have a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) and must be adhered to. Uploading documents addressing the PTQs or ECQs will not be accepted.
Transcript (s): You must submit copies of your law school transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts.
Bar Membership Documentation: You must submit documentation showing that you are an active member of the Bar in Good Standing of any State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court under the U.S. Constitution.
Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): Please submit a current SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee, that indicates federal status, grade, tenure, and type of service. Please redact your social security number and date of birth.
NOTE: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel.
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. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.
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.
******If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose this information within your application.
You MUST apply online. If you experience difficulties with the application process or do not have access to a computer, please contact the HR Specialist listed as the point of contact 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 to USAJobs Help Page. Once you have gathered all of the required information and are ready to begin the application process, click the "APPLY" 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. You must click "Submit" at the end of the application process to send your application for consideration.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov/ and click on "Applications." Click on the position title, then select "Update Application. "If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! OPM has a Help feature on each page. Use this option when you need assistance. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJobs "Saved Documents" feature.
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is defined as information that can be traced back to a specific individual and potentially compromise their security or privacy. Examples of PII include: date of birth, Social Security Number, and place of birth. Please ensure that you have removed all Personally Identifiable Information from all documents prior to submitting or uploading your application material.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11769322
EXRD - Office of Policy and International Affairs
550 Elizabeth Lane
Alexandria, VA 22314
US
Next steps
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.
You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application."
You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJobs Account, editing your profile and changing the "Notification Settings" to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within 2 weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
