Group Director Trademark Law Offices

The United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) mission is to promote innovation and competition by providing quality examination and issuance of patent and trademark applications, guiding domestic and international intellectual property policy, and delivering intellectual property information and education worldwide. Through the issuance of patents, the USPTO encourages technological advancement by providing incentives to invent, invest in, and disclose new technology worldwide.

Qualifications:

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs).

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

PTQ 1: Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of legal issues associated with the preparation and/or prosecution of trademark applications, or the classification and examination of trademarks, or in comparable work in the trademark field.

PTQ 2: Demonstrated high level experience with policy development, program planning/evaluation, leading and implementing change in the areas of major process optimization including in IT systems, analyzing data to define issues effectively, developing long range visions, and achieving quantifiable results, including in law office management and administration.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Professional Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and PTQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

• ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding
• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency
• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence
• ECQ 4: Leading People
• ECQ 5: Achieving Results

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Responsibilities:

The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year.

All applicants will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). If your two-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and PTQs, you will not receive further consideration for the position. For more information regarding the SES and ECQs, please visit the Executive Core Qualifications page.

The Group Director for Trademark Law (GDTL) offices serve under the general administrative direction of the Commissioner for Trademarks and the Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Operations. As the Group Director for Operations, the incumbent plans, coordinates, and manages the activities of a group of Trademark Law Offices, and/or supporting legal and/or technical divisional units. Provides leadership in achieving continuity of purpose, administrative integration, production efficiency, and uniformity of practice throughout the Trademark Examining operation. In coordination with the Commissioner for Trademarks and the Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Operations, delineates fundamental organizational goals and ensures that necessary measures are taken to attain established objectives.

As the GDTL, you will:

• Manage and coordinate trademark examining functions involving the services of a professional examining corps and/or technical administrative and programmatic staff engaged in diversified legal and registration procedures.
• Prepare and promulgate notices, directives, and procedural instructions to implement and maintain statutory requirements, Trademark Rules of Practice, and policy decisions.
• Develop and implement policies, plans, and procedures governing organizational relationships, delegations of authority, the flow and distribution of work, accountability requirements, allocations of facilities, and examination techniques and practices, etc.
• Establish and maintain standards of professional competence, ensuring that Law Offices and supporting legal and/or technical divisional units are adequately staffed with qualified examining attorneys and technical and administrative support personnel.
• Analyze and interpret workload and production to achieve balance and maintain optimum pendency and inventory levels.
• Performs similar or related duties as assigned, including representing the Office to Bar groups and other interested parties.
  

Salary : $198,491