Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA), in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Senior Level Attorney Advisor (Trademarks-Domestic) serves as the recognized technical and legal expert in the field of intellectual property rights related to the domestic protection and enforcement of trademarks and geographic indications. This position is charged with providing expert legal and technical advice to senior USPTO, Department of Commerce, and other U.S. Government agencies on the domestic protection and enforcement of trademarks and geographic indications.

In addition, the Senior Level Attorney Advisor (Trademarks Domestic):

Provides expert legal and technical advice to senior USPTO, DOC, and Administration officials on domestic intellectual property policy with emphasis on complex trademark and geographical indication matters. Serves as the USPTO expert on domestic trademark and geographical indications issues related to the Internet.

Proposes domestic legislation on substantive law and administrative matters that are consistent with Administration goals.

Drafts and reviews, when tasked, complex legislative proposals on trademarks and geographic indications, and for major Administration proposals or communications involving trademarks and geographic indications. Clears legislative proposals and views through the Department of Commerce, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of State, the Department of Justice, et al.

Advocates enactment before the private sector, Members of Congress and their staff, particularly when the issues involved are legally or highly sensitive in nature.

Participates in interagency groups and make presentations to and secures comments from high-profile stakeholder groups.

Directs and advises other attorneys on a wide range of domestic trademark matters. Oversees the planning, direction, and timely execution of programs.

Develops multi-year and long-range work plans and contributes to and oversees the overall work to enhance achievement of goals and objectives.

This position may include some supervisory and related managerial duties. These duties should occupy less than 25 percent of the incumbent's time.

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

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be 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)
• A two year probationary period is required.
• Responses to PTQs (10,000 character limit each).
• Have comprehensive, recent experience in the duties described.
• You must use the USA Jobs text boxes when submitting your PTQs
• Resume requirements outlined in "Required Documents" Section.

Before entering on duty, you will be required to complete a Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278. You will need to provide the information annually.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum requirements for this position, candidates must demonstrate their experience in their narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualifications. In addition, all responses should be reflected within the resume.

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

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

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

*Applicants are required to input narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) in the text boxes as prompted by USAJobs. Each PTQ 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 responses

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

Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated experience of U.S. trademark law, the U.S. legislative process and U.S. framework for protecting and enforcing trademarks and geographical indications.

Ability to effectively communicate with high ranking officials both within and outside the federal government, including Members of Congress, international organizations, and stakeholders regarding highly complex and sensitive issues pertaining to domestic trademark and trademark enforcement laws.

Extensive experience providing expert legal advice regarding trademark protection and enforcement, including in writing and reviewing complex legal documents pertaining to trademark protection and enforcement.

Extensive experience in leadership positions and with managing resources in a technical, legal, or government organization.

Education

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, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.

Additional information

Applicants applying for this position must be a United States Citizen.

Probationary Period: You will be required to serve a two-year probationary period.

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 "moderate" 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 may be subjected to random drug testing procedures.

Background Investigation: 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 and/or recruitment incentives will not be authorized.

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.

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.

Your responses to the PTQs and resume will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or for changing your scored responses to questions you've answered, which may affect your overall final score. Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the "Required Documents" section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
No

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

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

A complete application consists of:

1. A resume or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications; optional cover letter: Your resume should indicate your citizenship and should list your educational and work experience including job titles, salary, employment dates, duties and accomplishments, experience and how it relates to the PTQs 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.

2. Narrative responses to the PTQs: Do not write "see resume". Applicants are required to input narrative responses to the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) 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.

3. Transcripts: You must submit copies of your law school transcripts for verification of the education requirements. 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.

4. Proof of bar membership

5. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) - Please submit a current SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal Employee. Your status eligibility and highest permanent grade/step/salary held in the Federal service will be validated with a copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" so that we may verify your time-in-grade.

Supporting Documents:

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility and qualification requirements for this position may be contacted via email within 7 business days of this announcement closing to submit follow-up supporting docs if applicable. Applicants applying as current/former Federal employees OR as VEOA eligibles who fail to submit supporting documents within 5 business days of receiving the email request will lose further consideration for this position. Applicants claiming Sch A eligibility who fail to submit supporting documents within 5 business days of receiving the email request will not lose consideration for this position, however they will not be entitled to special or priority consideration. Supporting docs that may be requested of applicants after the closing date of this announcement are:

1. Performance Appraisal - Recent performance appraisal with supervisor's signature showing the official final rating of record, and copy of incentive award(s). In cases where the performance appraisal is incomplete or unavailable, applicants may provide an explanation of the reasons.

2. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documents - If you are a Veteran claiming eligibility under VEOA, you will be asked to submit a copy of your DD-214. Veterans must include dates of military service on their application materials, and submit a copy of each Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214. For more info, please visit Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans .

3. Special Appointing Authorities - If you are applying under the special appointing authority such as those authorized for the severely disabled (Schedule A) or Vietnam era and disabled veterans (VRA), you will be asked to submit documents showing eligibility to non-competitively apply under Merit Assignment announcements. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking on your application. For more info on non-competitive appointments and supporting documents, please visit Federal Employment of People with Disabilities or Feds Hire Vets - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans .

NOTE: The preceding documents requirement are based on job requirements and individual applicant eligibility. Not all documents are applicable to all applicants; if you are unsure which documents apply to you, contact the HR Specialist listed on this announcement.

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.