Skip to main content

This job has expired

Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Operations

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Alexandria, Virginia
Closing date
Nov 29, 2020
Duties

Summary

The USPTO Commissioner for Trademark Operations oversees and has responsibility for all aspects of the Trademark organization, relating to the processing of trademark applications for federal registration including examination, registration, and maintenance. The Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Operations directs and provides strategic direction and program management of performance goals and activities of the Trademark organization.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Operations (DC) provides strategic direction, program management and administrative oversight for the achievement of performance goals and coordinates the activities of the Trademark Organization in support of the processing of trademark applications including those needed for examination, registration and maintenance of trademark registrations; project management for the integration of information technology and business processes to support trademark application processing, examination, registration and maintenance; budget and performance planning; and coordination and oversight of the activities of the Trademark Law Offices, the Examination Support Unit and Trademark Services.

In the absence of the Commissioner of Trademarks the DC performs the duties of the Commissioner.

The Deputy Commissioner exercises a thorough knowledge of trademark laws, rules and examining practice and procedures used in trademark operations under the Commissioner for Trademarks.

Additional but not limited essential duties and responsibilities are as follows:
    • The incumbent has the authority to represent the views and desires of the Commissioner for Trademarks at all levels in the agency and in contacts with members of the public. The incumbent represents the USPTO in meetings of inter-governmental organizations, industry trade associations, and attorneys and industry representatives regarding trademark law, practice, and procedure.
    • The incumbent oversees the work of the Law Offices, which are responsible for applying the rules and statues related to the examination of trademark applications filed for registration.
    • The incumbent oversees the work of the Examination Support Unit, which is responsible for verifying database accuracy regarding all data elements of application for the registration of trademarks in all applications, entering amendments and making changes to the application record as needed. In addition, the Examination Support Unit may review formalities of new applications and adding design codes, and reviewing Allegations of Use and Statements of Use when needed.
    • The incumbent oversees the work of Trademark Services, which is responsible for processing and performing the preliminary examination of new applications including determining classification and applying design search codes, preparing registration certificates for mailing; performing preliminary review of documents relating to intent to use applications following publication and notice of allowance; processing divisional requests; processing extensions of protection, international registrations and applications, ceasings and other documents requiring review and correspondence with the International Bureau under the Madrid Protocol, as well as, all proceedings and review of post registration filings including maintenance and renewal of registrations and corrections/amendments to registrations.


Travel Required

25% or less - Occasional travel will be required.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
  • Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) will be required upon appointment, annually and upon termination of employment.
  • Be a member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar.
  • Possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
  • Subject to a one-year probationary period.


Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of executive level managerial capabilities. To qualify, the applicant's resume and responses to Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) must demonstrate technical and leadership experience/expertise as they relate to the duties describe.

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.

Maximum length of 10000 characters when addressing the PTQs and ECQs.

Professional Technical Qualifications: Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application materials that they possess technical attributes in the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). Applicants must also have a comprehensive knowledge of trademark laws, regulations, process, and examination and registration process. The PTQs for this position are:
  • Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of Trademark Law, specifically related to the Federal trademark registration process and examination and/or professional prosecution of trademark applications.
  • Demonstrated executive level experience in leading and implementing change, analyzing data to define issues effectively, developing long range visions, and achieving quantifiable results.
  • Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and experience with strategic planning; budgeting; financial management; performance measurement and management; IT resource planning and oversight including in virtual environments and for a distributed workforce; labor relations in the federal government; customer experience; and internal management control and accountability processes in support of a complex organization.

  • 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).

    For the following five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), you are required to submit a narrative response addressing your specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that demonstrate your possession of these qualifications. Be sure to provide specific examples of what you've done that demonstrates your possession of each ECQ. Responses to ECQs must not exceed 10 pages. 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.

    Applicants are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Result (C-C-A-R) model outlined in the Guide to SES Qualifications.

    Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal.

    Context - Describe the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked, to address a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).

    Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.

    Result - Give specific examples of measures/outcomes that had some impact on the organization. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.

    Education

    The incumbent must be 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. Incumbent must maintain membership of the Bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico to uphold this position.

    Additional information

    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

    If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information

    This is a Non Bargaining Unit position.

    Veteran preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service.

    This position requires an applicant to obtain a Secret level security clearance upon selection.

    The incumbent will be required 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.

    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.

    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.

    Relocation Expenses and Recruitment Incentives may be authorized.

    Telework eligible: yes, situational, as determined by agency policy.

    If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Specialist listed at the end of this vacancy announcement.

    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.

    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).

    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    In order to be considered for this position you must demonstrate in your application package that you meet the minimum specialized experience as defined under the "Qualifications" section, answer the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs), and submit a detailed resume that supports your answers to the PTQs and specialized experience.

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    Your application will be evaluated to determine whether basic qualifications requirements are met, and on the extent to which it shows that you possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties based on the scope and quality of total accomplishments, experience, and education. Applications of basically qualified candidates will be evaluated by an executive rating and ranking panel.

    To preview questions please click here .

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Not Required

    Drug test required
    Yes

    Position sensitivity and risk
    Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

    Trust determination process
    Suitability/Fitness

    Required Documents

    A complete application consists of:

    1) A resume 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) Professional Technical Qualification (PTQs): A separate narrative statement specifically addressing each PTQ. Narrative responses should sufficiently demonstrate experience and/or knowledge in relation to the PTQs. Do not write "see resume". Input narrative responses when prompted.

    3) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): A separate narrative statement specifically addressing each individual ECQ. Narrative responses should sufficiently demonstrate leadership experience and/or knowledge in relation to the ECQs. Maximum 10 pages total. Do not write "see resume". Input narrative responses when prompted.

    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.

    5) Proof of membership: In good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar.

    6) Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): requirement is applicable for applicants who are current or former Federal employees.

    7) Graduates of an approved SES Candidate Development Program must provide a copy of their OPM certification of eligibility.

    *NOTE: The ECQ narrative statements are NOT required if the applicant is a:

    (a) Current or former Career SES member (These members MUST provide SF50, as documentation of SES Appointment), OR

    (b) Graduate of an SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM.

    Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the announcement will result in your removal from consideration for this position.

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    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.

    Get job alerts

    Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

    Create alert