Duties

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The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year.

All applicants will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). If your two-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and PTQs, you will not receive further consideration for the position. For more information regarding the SES and ECQs, please visit the Executive Core Qualifications page.

This position is located in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Office of Commissioner for Patents.

The Deputy Commissioner for Patents (DCP) is responsible for initiating programs consistent with the priorities and goals of the Agency, communicating policy and decisions within the context of her/his responsibilities, mentoring and coaching of subordinates, coordinating Patent strategic initiatives, establishing procedures, participating in activities which promote the goals of the Office and supporting improvements and programs presented by the Commissioner.

The DCP provides strategic vision, guidance, and direction to ensure that the necessary monitoring, assessment, and training required to instill confidence in the patent system are provided to internal and external stakeholders. The DCP makes managerial and technical decisions required for successful program development, administration, and management. Major duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The DCP, along with Commissioner and the other DCPs, frames out vision-oriented initiatives and provides strategic direction to individuals/teams for accomplishing these initiatives.
• The DCP ensures administrative policies and procedures are communicated to Patent business unit employees. Where practices and procedures are not aligned with the overall goals of the USPTO, it is the DCP's responsibility to create remedies and implement practices to ensure compliance. The DCP is also responsible for communicating issues that arise in the organization to the Commissioner for Patents.
• The DCP represents the Commissioner for Patents and has full authority in contacts with members of the public, officials of other Government agencies, Department of Commerce and Patent and Trademark Office emp1oyees, members of Congress, and foreign government officials.
• The DCP participates in matrix management with other DCPs in Patents. Hence, the duties and responsibilities described herein are carried out consistent with the principles set forth in matrix management and require coordination of responsibilities with other DCPs. Additionally, matrix management requires that the DCP possess the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to work in a team environment yet be able to exhibit effective leadership in planning and organizing the assignments of a large number of executives, professionals and their supporting staff. The DCP has direct management oversight of at least one senior executive (i.e. Patent Assistant Commissioner for Patents (AC), Technology Center (TC) Group Director, etc.).

Technology Center Operational Component Oversight: The DCP provides the Commissioner for Patents with the necessary management support of day-to-day operations within the Patent Organization. This include oversight administrative oversight to patent technology centers in their direct chain of oversight and coordinates with the other DCPs, who also oversee technology center components, to enable and ensure the examination of applications for and reissues of patents to ascertain if applicants are entitled to patents under the law; and prepares the grants of patents to those so entitled.

Non-Technology Center Operational Component Oversight:

The DCP's non-technology center functional area of management oversight duties may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following Patents non-technology center operational components: workforce management; financial management; data analytics; project management; patent training; stakeholder engagement; process improvement; classification; international patent cooperation; information technology (e.g. patent automation, scientific and technical information, etc.); and, application processing.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Subject to a 1-year Senior Executive Service (SES) probationary period (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx)
• File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.

Qualifications

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) related to this position within your resume. Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 11 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs).

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

PTQ 1: Experience in directing, supervising, and evaluating the activities of a professional and technical organization unit. This includes the ability to: develop and achieve organizational goals, prepare and execute organizational budgets, delegate assignments, motivate subordinate groups and individuals, and establish and maintain a positive working environment.

PTQ 2: Demonstrated knowledge of experience with patent statutes, regulations, and court decisions. This includes the ability to advise senior level executives on and to recommend thoughtful solutions for complex legal issues.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Professional Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and PTQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

• ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency -This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
• ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
• ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

The educational requirement for this position is at least a bachelor's degree in an engineering, scientific, or technical field.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Additional information

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Tiering: The USPTO structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department/Agency. This position falls within Tier II of USPTO's structure.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.