The Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA) formulates U.S. domestic and international policy regarding protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This program provides law school students an opportunity to gain skills and experience in researching foreign countries' IP systems, drafting legal findings, meeting minutes, attending congressional hearings, coordinating briefing material at USPTO, organizing training programs for foreign IP officials, etc.
Summary
The Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA) formulates U.S. domestic and international policy regarding protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This program provides law school students an opportunity to gain skills and experience in researching foreign countries' IP systems, drafting legal findings, meeting minutes, attending congressional hearings, coordinating briefing material at USPTO, organizing training programs for foreign IP officials, etc.
Candidates must be currently enrolled in a law degree program and seeking a degree in a qualifying education institution on a half- to full-time basis. Enrollment must be with an accredited educational institution. Students must be in good academic standing.
This exciting opportunity is available for law school students during the Spring 2025 academic term and end no later than May 2025.
Some things you should know:
The duties assigned to this position are authorized to be performed in the United States (currently defined as the fifty states and the District of Columbia) and Puerto Rico.
The position is remote with the option of reporting to the physical office if you are in the local commuting area per agency and business unit discretion/policy.
Apply quickly!This announcement is limited to the first 50 applications received. All applications received prior to midnight (11:59PM ET) of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. If the application limit is not reached by the closing date of the announcement, all applications received during the open period will be considered. All required documents must be submitted at the time you apply, as documents will not be accepted past the day the application limit is reached (if applicable).
Engage in a meaningful experience working closely with intellectual property (IP) attorneys in the Office of Policy and International Affairs at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Here we celebrate, support, and thrive by building the bridge between IP and accessibility for all.
As part of the USPTO's paid internship program, you will receive practical, virtual hands-on experience by engaging in a variety of challenging activities. This opportunity is ideal for you if:
You are excited about studying a variety of reference materials, including laws, regulations, and standard operating procedures that apply to the work of the Office of Policy and International Affairs.
You desire to work closely with senior IP leaders to formulate IP policy recommendations.
You are comfortable performing assignments independently or as a member of a team working to complete a project.
You are intrigued by the prospect of conducting research and analyses of foreign countries' IP systems.
You are excited about drafting briefing materials and reports, developing briefing books and presentations to communicate findings.
You have an interest in organizing training programs for foreign IP officials, attending meetings with other US government agencies and stakeholder groups.
Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
Meet educational requirement.
Must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student in a qualifying educational institution.
Must be at least 16 years of age.
Must be in good academic standing (GPA of 3.00 or higher).
You must be suitable for Federal Employment.
You are required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
Have IP experience (such as writing for an IP journal or participating in an IP clinic, having IP work experience or owning IP) or be a patent agent/patent bar eligible.
Qualifications
To be eligible for this GS-5 position, you must: (1) be a U.S. Citizen or National; (2) currently enrolled in law school as a law student pursuing a juris doctorate degree (3) have at least a 3.00 grade point average (GPA); (4) be in good academic standing (5) have IP experience (such as writing for an IP journal or participating in an IP clinic, having IP work experience or IP ownership) or be patent bar eligible (6) submit a written statement, not to exceed 500 words explaining your interest and/or experience in IP. The ideal candidates should possess experience that includes performing legal research; and/or the ability to interpret, analyze various issues/matters; and/or strong oral and written communication skills. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
If selected, the above qualifications must be maintained throughout the period of employment.
One full academic year of undergraduate; graduate; vocational; trades; or technical is the number of credit hours determined by the college, university or school to represent 1 year of full-time study. All education beyond high school must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Education
You must be enrolled in an accredited law school and taking at least a half-time academic course load. The definition of half-time is the definition provided by the school in which you are enrolled.
Students must be in good academic standing (GPA of 3.00 or higher).
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to General Schedule Qualifications Policies for more information.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of coursework and the degree. A listing of services that can perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
Background Investigation - If selected for this position, you may be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
All federal employees are required to have federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
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, 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).
This internship position does not qualify for benefits.
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.
Eligibility for appointment is based on applicants meeting the basic requirements for the position as documented in the resume, responses to the questionnaire, and written statement provided. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for immediate dismissal.
An HR Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.
Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Candidates with veterans' preference will be considered before non-veteran preference candidates.
If you are referred, you will be contacted via email and may be invited for an interview.
* It is desirable, but not required, that the student have taken at least one Intellectual Property law class prior to the start of this internship.
** Foreign language skills are also preferred but not required.
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.
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 including job titles, salary, employment dates, duties and accomplishments, experience.
2. Transcripts and an Official Proof of Enrollment Letter for the upcoming semester at a qualifying educational institution: You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable when submitting your application package. However, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. Also, proof of enrollment is required upon selection for the externship. 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.
3. A written statement, not to exceed 500 words, explaining your experience and/or interest in IP.
4. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility, you will be asked to submit a copy of your DD-214 containing your discharge disposition, dates of service, and rank. If you are a preference eligible claiming a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more, you will be asked to submit documentation (i.e. a letter dated 1991 or later from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces) certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation. Veterans must include dates of military service within the automated application process and submit a copy of each Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214. For more information, please visit Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans.
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.
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.
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.
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 applications material
PATS - Patent Experience Extern Program
Office of Human Resources
Mail Stop 171
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
US
Next steps
You will receive a notice generated by the USAJobs System when you have successfully submitted your application. You will also 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.
After all application packages have been received, we will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided.
You can check the status of your application by logging into USAJOBS. 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.
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 including job titles, salary, employment dates, duties and accomplishments, experience.
2. Transcripts and an Official Proof of Enrollment Letter for the upcoming semester at a qualifying educational institution: You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable when submitting your application package. However, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. Also, proof of enrollment is required upon selection for the externship. 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.
3. A written statement, not to exceed 500 words, explaining your experience and/or interest in IP.
4. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility, you will be asked to submit a copy of your DD-214 containing your discharge disposition, dates of service, and rank. If you are a preference eligible claiming a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more, you will be asked to submit documentation (i.e. a letter dated 1991 or later from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces) certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation. Veterans must include dates of military service within the automated application process and submit a copy of each Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214. For more information, please visit Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans.
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.
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.
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.
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 applications material
PATS - Patent Experience Extern Program
Office of Human Resources
Mail Stop 171
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
US
Next steps
You will receive a notice generated by the USAJobs System when you have successfully submitted your application. You will also 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.
After all application packages have been received, we will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided.
You can check the status of your application by logging into USAJOBS. 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.
