Duties

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 high performing professional to join its Senior Executive Team as the Director, Human Capital Management. This position is located in the Office of Human Resources (OHR), Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (OCAO).

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Director, Human Capital Management (Director) leads and manages the strategic direction and day-to-day programs and functions of the OHR and works closely with the CAO, the Deputy CAO and other senior management officials to support the mission of the USPTO. The Director is responsible for the following but not limited to:

• Establishing and executing USPTO's human capital vision, strategies, programs, policies and procedures that are flexible, innovative and efficient, with a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and data-driven decision making.
• Serving as a key advisor to the CAO and Deputy CAO and is relied upon for consultation, advice and recommendations on overall human capital and human resources management policies and programs of the Agency. This typically involves examining and appraising such programs in terms of strategy, scope, importance, emphasis and timing, as well as the evaluation of organizational structures, management philosophy and methods of operations. Advises and recommends on new policies and programs designed to increase operating efficiency.
• Supervising a management team that is responsible for: acting in a trusted HR business partner/consultant role to provide strategic human capital planning and consulting support, HR process automation and data analytics; human capital and human resources policy; recruitment and staffing; veteran hiring; position management, classification, and workforce planning/analysis; competency assessment and gap analysis; processing services related to personnel actions, benefits, retirements, and personnel records management; executive resources program; work life programs; management of compensation and payroll processes; enterprise­ wide training programs, including leadership and management training and succession planning; analysis of workforce metrics and best practices research, examination of adherence to merit principles, and the prevention of prohibited personnel practices.
• Exercising responsibility on behalf of the CAO for ensuring that the Agency's human capital initiatives foster high-performing organizations aligned with the Agency's strategic plan. Works with the Agency's senior leadership, the Department of Commerce, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and other key stakeholders to set direction and establish policy in carrying out human resources management functions for the Agency.
• Ensuring that OHR continually identifies and uses new technology, methods, approaches, authorities and flexibilities in meeting the human resource/human capital needs of the Agency as a whole.
• Providing for staff reviews and evaluations, including studies and analyses of operations at all levels in the Agency to determine adequacy and effectiveness of assigned people, practices and organization, and for compliance with the requirements of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Ensures correlation of findings with the evaluation of operating program performance and the implementation of indicated corrective action, in cooperation with other staff and Agency senior leaders.
• Serving in an advisory capacity to the Agency's Executive Resources Board (ERB) and Performance Review Board (PRB) on the performance appraisal system, general compensation policy and other areas of executive resources management.

The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, VA. However, the USPTO is currently under a mandatory telework posture due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, this position is currently under a 100 percent telework schedule. The position's telework schedule will likely change in the future when USPTO moves away from its mandatory telework posture. At that time, the incumbent will be expected to report to the physical work site in accordance with the updated status requirements of their supervisor. The nature and scope of future telework opportunities will be subject to the unit's telework policy, any applicable bargaining unit agreements, and supervisory approval. Payment of relocation expenses, as applicable, will be paid in accordance with this Job Opportunity Announcement. Non-compliance with the supervisor's telework-schedule requirement could result in adverse action, including separation.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
• Have comprehensive, recent experience in the duties described.
• Responses to PTQs and ECQs (10,000 character limit each).
• You must use the USA Jobs text boxes when submitting your PTQs & ECQs.
• Resume requirements outlined in "Required Documents" Section.

Qualifications

Experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show that the candidate possesses the required professional and 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.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application materials that they possess managerial attributes in the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs). Each response should include a brief summary of the applicant's experience in relation to the specific PTQ and specific examples of accomplishments.

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.

* Please provide your narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualification (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) questions - Do not write "see resume".

* Applicants are required to input narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) in the text boxes as prompted by USAJobs. Each PTQ and each ECQ have a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) and must be adhered to.

* Applicants must use the USA Jobs text boxes for submitting their PTQs and ECQs.

The Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) for this position are:

1. Demonstrated expertise and experience in leading and managing a complex Human Resources Office responsible for the full scope of operational programs such as recruitment, staffing, classification, employee and labor relations, benefits and compensation for a complex, high volume agency.

2. Demonstrated experience working across organizational boundaries and establishing trusted business partner/consultant relationships with business unit customers that are responsive to the needs of the customer and supports providing and maintaining a high performing, high quality, efficient and engaged workforce.

3. Demonstrated experience in executing and delivering human capital strategies, programs, policies, and procedures that are flexible, innovative and efficient, incorporating industry leading and best practices (public and private sector), with a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and data-driven decision making for a large, geographically dispersed organization.

4. Demonstrated experience leading and implementing automation across the full spectrum of HR programs such as recruitment, processing, employment, professional development, and records management.

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. 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 a 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.

Note: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel. Uploaded documents addressing the PTQ's and ECQs will not be accepted.

Education

This position does not require a specific technical degree.

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. This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of "high" risk.

The incumbent may 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 are not authorized and will not be paid.

Veteran preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service.

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 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.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application materials that they possess managerial attributes in the three Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs). Each response should include a brief summary of the applicant's experience in relation to the specific PTQ and specific examples of accomplishments.

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.

Resume - Applicants have the option of including a USAJobs system generated resume or uploading a resume in PDF with a maximum of five pages. Uploaded resume pages in excess of five pages will not be considered.

Narrative Responses - Please provide your narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualification (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) questions - Do not write "see resume".


Applicants are required to input narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) in the text boxes as prompted by USAJobs.

*Each PTQ and each ECQ have a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) and must be adhered to. Applicants must use the USA Jobs text boxes for submitting their PTQs and ECQs.

Note: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel. Uploaded documents addressing the PTQ's and ECQs will not be accepted.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
NCS/High Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

A complete application consists of:

1) Your resume should indicate your citizenship and should list your educational and work experience including job titles, salaries, employment dates, duties and accomplishments, experience and how it relates to the PTQ's in the job announcement. Please Note: Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating. - Applicants have the option of including a USAJobs system generated resume or uploading a resume in PDF with a maximum of five pages. Uploaded resume pages in excess of five pages will not be considered.

2) Your narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualification (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) questions. Do not write "see resume". Applicants are required to input narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) in the text boxes as prompted by USAJobs. Each PTQ and each ECQ have a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) and must be adhered to. - Applicants must use the USA Jobs text boxes for submitting their PTQs and ECQs.

Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their Qualification Review Board (QRB) certificate.

Please submit a current SF-50 if you are a Federal Employee. If you are a current or previous Senior Executive Service career member you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) to show proof.

NOTE: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel. Uploaded documents addressing the PTQs and ECQs will not be accepted.

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.

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.