TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED:
Relocation expenses reimbursed Yes - Relocation expenses may be reimbursed

KEY REQUIREMENTS:
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The Deputy Solicitor must have:

• A minimum of ten years of patent and trademark litigation experience in the Federal Courts (including appellate litigation experience) or equivalent and of applying knowledge of intellectual property law in cases involving complex legal and technological issues;
• An in-depth understanding of the statutes and regulations relevant to the USPTO’s mission;
• A commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards and personal and professional integrity beyond reproach;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in public and private settings with diverse audiences and the ability to translate complex legal issues for a lay audience; and
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to be able to collaborate with a diverse population, and the ability to relate well with the Judiciary, senior government officials, and external audiences.

This position is in the Senior Executive Service (SES). As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience indicative of senior executive-level management capability. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. 

The applicant’s experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show that the candidate possesses the required professional/technical qualifications and executive core 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.

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, only need to submit a resume and narrative statement covering each of the Professional Technical Qualification (PTQs) requirements and do NOT need to address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Professional Technical Qualifications: Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application materials that they possess technical attributes in the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). The PTQs for this position are:

1. Demonstrated experience in litigating intellectual property cases at both federal district and preferably appellate court levels and applying knowledge of intellectual property law in cases involving complex legal and technological issues.
2. Demonstrated ability to express orally and in writing, complex legal issues in clear and succinct language so that the concepts are understood by both lawyers and non-lawyers. This includes possession of effective presentation skills in business meetings and public forums.
3. Demonstrated administrative, managerial, and interpersonal skills and experience to effectively (a) lead a highly skilled team of experienced professionals, (b) collaborate with individuals, groups, and organizations having diverse perspectives, and (c) deal with, negotiate successfully with and relate well with the Judiciary, government officials, and external audiences.

Each response should include a brief summary of the applicant's experience in relation to the specific PTQ and specific examples of accomplishments.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): Applicants must also clearly demonstrate in their application materials that they possess managerial attributes in the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Each response should include a brief summary of the applicant's experience in relation to the specific ECQ and specific examples of accomplishments.  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

• Leading Change - This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
• Leading People - This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
• Results Driven - This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems and calculating risks.
• Business Acumen - This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial and information resources strategically.
• Building Coalitions - This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

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: The Deputy Solicitor may be required to submit to a drug test to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and if appointed, the Deputy Solicitor 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: Relocation expenses 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.

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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.

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Read more Security clearance Not Required

Drug test required No

The Deputy Solicitor must have:

• A minimum of ten years of patent and trademark litigation experience in the Federal Courts (including appellate litigation experience) or equivalent and of applying knowledge of intellectual property law in cases involving complex legal and technological issues;
• An in-depth understanding of the statutes and regulations relevant to the USPTO’s mission;
• A commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards and personal and professional integrity beyond reproach;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in public and private settings with diverse audiences and the ability to translate complex legal issues for a lay audience; and
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to be able to collaborate with a diverse population, and the ability to relate well with the Judiciary, senior government officials, and external audiences.