Senior Level Patent Attorney

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 talented professional to serve as a Senior Level Patent Attorney. This unique position is located in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Patent-Legal and the individual will serve as the recognized expert in patent laws, examination guidelines and rules of practice and examining procedures. Responsibilities Come join a great team whose efforts are critical to the success of the USPTO's mission to drive U.S. innovation, inclusive capitalism, and global competitiveness for the benefit of all Americans. As a Senior Level Patent Attorney, you'll work together with the Deputy Commissioner for Patents-Legal on policy formulation and translation of policy decisions into revised guidelines, practices and procedures, and training materials for all professionals and technical support staff in organizations under the Commissioner for Patents. The individual selected for this position will… Exercise a thorough knowledge of patent laws and patent regulations, examination guidelines, and rules of practice and examining procedures; know the views and goals of the Deputy Commissioner and utilize an understanding of the total functions of all USPTO offices. Review problem cases, special requests for administrative relief, existing MPEP provisions, etc., and identify issues on which there is a need for a statement of approved examining practice and/or procedure. Handle inquiries from the public requesting assistance in properly interpreting existing and proposed practices. Address suggestions from the public on revisions to practices. Represent the Deputy Commissioner in dealings with attorneys, industry representatives, and patent law associations in various matters, especially those concerning practice and procedure. Develop and review training materials and lectures for internal use, such as at the Patent Training Academy, and to external stakeholders including patent law groups and other members of the public on matters relating to recent developments in patent practice and other topics under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Commissioner. Review decisions on petitions relating to matters before the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, and decisions of the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board, which require treatment of unusual issues involving patent examination and/or patent examination procedures. Assist the Commissioner for Patents and the Deputy Commissioner for Patents-Legal in performing managerial tasks. If you want to make an impact in the Intellectual Property community, apply now! The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, VA. However, this position is telework eligible in accordance with the unit's telework policy. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To meet the minimum requirements for this position, candidates must demonstrate their experience in their narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) questions and all narrative responses must be fully supported within their resume. *Applicants must use the USA Jobs text boxes to submit their narrative responses to the PTQs. Do not write "see resume" or "see attached documents". Each PTQ has a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) that must be adhered to. Uploaded documents addressing the PTQs will not be accepted. Experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show that the candidate possesses the required professional/technical 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). Applicants are required to input narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) in the text boxes as prompted by USAJobs. Each PTQ has a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) that must be adhered to. The Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) for this position are: Knowledge of patent law, policy, practice and procedure, both domestically and internationally, as well as appreciable breadth of knowledge in scientific and technical fields; Knowledge of the rule making process, examination practice and procedure, examination guidelines, and Official Gazette Notices involving statements of Office patent examination policy; Knowledge of patent law, procedure and practices governing the treatment of requests for administrative relief; Knowledge of legal writing and editing. Note: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed. Uploaded documents addressing the PTQ's will not be accepted. Education The incumbent must have a scientific or technical degree, or the equivalent and must have a law degree (JD) from an accredited law school program and must be a current member of a bar in good standing, in the United States or a Territory of the United States. Additional Information This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position. This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of 'high'. The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm. 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. 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 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). 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).