Duties

This an excepted service position in the Legal Division of the Office of the Chief Counsel for the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) at the Department of Energy (DOE). NETL is a government owned and operated research and development laboratory that performs in-house research and funds extramural research through federal contracts and financial assistance instruments.

As a Patent Attorney, you will be responsible for providing authoritative legal counsel on the full range of intellectual property matters to NETL and other organizations supported by NETL.

The following are the duties of this position at the GS-15. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

As a Patent Attorney, you will:

• Be responsible for protecting DOE and taxpayer interests in intellectual property and technology transfer matters resulting from DOE supported research, development, demonstration and deployment activities, including financial assistance awards and procurement contracts.
• Provide support to NETL financial assistance activities including counseling programs during the development of Funding Opportunity Announcements, advising on the proper use of intellectual property clauses and assisting in the preparation of patent waivers for financial assistance awards, addressing intellectual property matters through the life of an award, monitoring the work under the awards for compliance with intellectual property requirements including post award requirements.
• Provide support to NETL in the review negotiation, and approval of technology transfer agreements such as Strategic Partnership Projects (SPPs), Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), User Agreements, patent licensing agreements, and the implementation and compliance of DOE policies and regulations at NETL.
• Collaborate and engage with other DOE patent attorneys across the DOE complex to develop and implement DOE policies and practices to achieve DOE goals related to intellectual property, technology transfer and U.S. manufacturing.
• Provide expert counsel on all matters relating to Intellectual Property, including, but not limited to, inventions, patents, data rights, copyrights, trade secrets, and trademark matters in support of a wide range of DOE programs and activities.
• Assist in the preparation and prosecution of trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in support of DOE programs and activities.
• Implement statutes and agency patent and technical data regulations and general policy regarding intellectual property rights matters in accordance with general administrative direction, policies, and objectives received from the NETL Chief Counsel and the DOE General Counsel for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret DOE "Q" clearance.
• GS-12 and above are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential
• This position is to be filled under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA - P.L. 117-58).
• If selected, you must self-identify if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a Schedule A, Schedule C, or non-career SES political appointee as OPM approval is required prior to finalizing your selection.
• Proof of current active member in good standing in the bar of a State, District of Columbia, territory of the United States, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Employee must maintain active bar membership while employed as an attorney with DOE.
• Proof of registration to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Qualifications

This is an open continuous vacancy announcement. Applicants will be referred every 30 days throughout the announcement period. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement.

The first cut-off date is 11:59 pm (EST), September 12, 2022. The second cut-off date is 11:59pm (EST), October 12, 2022 The final cut off-off date is 11:59pm (EST), November 14, 2022

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:
Applicants MUST:

Meet the minimum education requirements of successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND

Must be a current, active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

In addition to the above requirements, a selectee for a GS-1222 Patent Attorney position must possess the following qualifications:

• Completed a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's degree in a scientific, technological, or engineering field; AND
• Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS :

GS-15 REQUIREMENTS:

• Have a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND
• Membership in a State or District of Columbia bar; AND
• Four years of professional (attorney) legal experience and advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform complex legal work.; AND
• One additional year of professional (attorney) experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the grade immediately below the one being filled.

GS-14 REQUIREMENTS:

• Have a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND
• Membership in a State or District of Columbia bar; AND
• Three years of professional (attorney) legal experience and advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform complex legal work.; AND
• One additional year of professional (attorney) experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the grade immediately below the one being filled.

GS-13 REQUIREMENTS:

• Have a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND
• Membership in a State or District of Columbia bar; AND
• One year of professional (attorney) legal experience and advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform complex legal work.; AND
• One additional year of professional (attorney) experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the grade immediately below the one being filled.

GS-12 REQUIREMENTS:

• Professional law degree (LL.B. or J. D.); AND
• Membership in a State or District of Columbia bar; AND
• One year of professional (attorney) legal experience and advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform complex legal work.

GS-11 REQUIREMENTS:

• Professional law degree (LL.B. or J. D.); AND
• Membership in a State or District of Columbia bar; AND
• Advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform legal work.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Education

Attorney positions do have an education requirement.

Candidates must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree; OR

Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree.

For positions with an education requirement, you MUST submit:

A copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.; AND

You must provide proof of bar or your bar number.

In addition to the above requirements, a selectee for a GS-1222 Patent Attorney position must possess the following qualifications:

• Completed a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's degree in a scientific, technological, or engineering field; AND
• Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
• Your position may be eligible for workplace flexibilities which may include flexible work scheduling. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with the DOE Workplace Flexibilities policy.
• New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify .
• Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
• If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
• More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
• Some positions may require completion of a trial period of up to two (2) years.
• Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
• Your performance appraisal and incentive awards will be given due consideration in the selection process based on their relation to the duties of the position and the consistency with which they may be considered in evaluating you against other candidates.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available.

EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/