This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/565000800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
The USPTO's Office of General Counsel plays a vital role in the execution of the USPTO mission to issue patents and trademarks. The General Counsel serves as the principal legal advisor to the Director of the USPTO. The General Counsel supervises the court and administrative tribunal representation on intellectual property (e.g., patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret matters) and administrative matters (e.g., labor, personnel, government contracts, and fiscal) for the agency.
Learn more about this agency04/07/2020 to 05/26/2020
$131,239 - $197,300 per year
ES 00
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required
Yes—Relocation expenses may be authorized
Permanent - Full-Time
Full-time - Permanent
Senior Executive
00
Yes
Yes
OGC-2020-0007
565000800
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Current excepted service federal employees.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Those who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).
Applications will be accepted from all groups of qualified individuals.
The USPTO is seeking an accomplished legal professional to join its team as the next General Counsel. The General Counsel serves as the principal legal advisor to Office of Under Secretary for Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. The General Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice on patent, trademark and copyright matters as well as administrative legal matters including government contracts, personnel, and fiscal matters.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:
A best qualified candidate would possess:
Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs):
All applicants must submit a written response to the follow PTQs. Each response should include a brief summary of the applicant's experience in relation to the specific PTQ, and provide specific examples of accomplishments. Please give examples and explain the complexity of the knowledge possessed and the sensitivity of the issues you handled.
The PTQs for this position are:
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs):
Once selected for the position you will need to address the five Executive Core Qualifications. Responses to the ECQs are not required at the time of application.
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
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, will not need to submit their ECQ Package at a later date.
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.
A graduate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Conditions for Employment: You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
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.
Non Bargaining Unit position: This is a Non Bargaining Unit position. This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of "high".
Drug Testing: This position will require the selectee 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.
Suitability Check: 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.
E-Verify: The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm
Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
Relocation and Recruitment Incentives: Relocation and Recruitment incentives may be authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: 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.
Veterans Preference: Veterans preference is not applicable for the SES.
Selective Service Law: If selected, a male candidate born after December 31, 1959, must certify that he has registered with the Selective Service System or if exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, the candidate must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information. Certification forms are available at most Federal agency personnel offices or from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Privacy Act: Privacy Act requirements (PL 93-579): the application forms prescribed are used to determine qualification for promotion, reassignment, or employment and are authorized under Title 5, USC sections 3302 and 3360.
Declaration for Federal Employment: Candidates outside of the USPTO who are referred for consideration will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment, OF-306.
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 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 complete application consists of:
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). Do not write "see resume". Input narrative responses when prompted.
3) Documentation showing membership in good standing of the Bar. Please Note: This can be submitted after the closing date of the announcement.
4) Transcript (s) - 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 Note: This can be submitted after the closing date of the announcement.
Please submit the most current SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal Employee. IF you are a current or previous SES career member you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) to show proof.
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.
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.
The Office of Human Resources strongly encourages applicants applying for positions to read the vacancy announcement in its entirety before submitting application materials for this position.
You must submit your application, which demonstrates all eligibility requirements by 11:59pm Eastern time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
All applications must be submitted online. Please be sure to include the information in the "Required Documents" section.
Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel. FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNOUNCEMENT CALL: Carolyn Schad 571-272-7003 TTD#: (800) 828-1120.
United States Patent and Trademark Office programs are accessible to people with disabilities. This document will be converted to an appropriate alternative form for applicants with disabilities. Requests for this or other assistance and accommodation should be directed to the contact above. Vacancy announcement supplemental information; All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.
Candidates are evaluated by an executive rating panel based on the degree to which they meet the PTQs, the applicant's education, work-related experience, training, awards, and professional recognition.
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.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/565000800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The USPTO advises the president of the United States, the Secretary of Commerce, and U.S. government agencies on intellectual property (IP) policy, protection, and enforcement; and promotes the stronger and more effective IP protection around the world. The USPTO furthers effective IP protection for U.S. innovators and entrepreneurs worldwide by working with other agencies to secure strong IP provisions in free trade and other international agreements. It also provides training, education, and capacity building programs designed to foster respect for IP and encourage the development of strong IP enforcement regimes by U.S. trading partners.
The USPTO's Office of General Counsel plays a vital role in the execution of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) mission to issue patents and trademarks, by:
For more information about USPTO, please visit: https://www.uspto.gov/.