Summary

This position is located in the Office of Information Technology for Patents (OITP) , Office of Patent Automation (OPA), Office of the Commissioner for Patents, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) OPA is responsible for program and project management functions to ensure that the necessary functional and technical requirements are addressed in the development of automation tools and technologies needed to support improvements in Patents business operations.

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.

Major Duties for this position include:

• Oversees information technology programs and projects, automation initiatives, and technical and administrative staff supporting patent business operations.
• Provides strategic technical and analytical advice to senior leadership on information technology, patent automation, and emerging technologies, including the development and maintenance of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, including agentic approaches.
• Directs the development and execution of the USPTO's strategic vision, goals, and priorities, ensuring alignment with senior leadership and other internal stakeholder objectives, modernization efforts, and long-term technology roadmaps.
• Evaluates organizational performance and program effectiveness using performance metrics, data analytics, customer feedback, operational assessments, and continuous improvement practices; identifies risks and opportunities; and implements corrective actions and strategic improvements to enhance service delivery and mission outcomes.
• Leads the planning, design, development, implementation, modernization, enhancement, and sustainment of mission-critical patent automation systems, applications, data services, and technology solutions that support the end-to-end patent lifecycle, including filing, examination, classification, publication, issuance, post-grant processing, international obligations, and related business operations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one-year supervisory probationary period.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
• Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• Suitable for Federal Employment.
• This position requires the completion of OGE-450 Financial Disclosure.

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov). For OPM Standards for 1220 series are available at Patent Administration Series 1220.

Specialized Experienceis experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 in the Federal service:

Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Managing program operations involving automated information systems, business processes, or information management to support efficient and effective program delivery; AND
• Applying authoritative knowledge of patent laws, regulations, policies, business processes, workflows, and examination operations to ensure information technology solutions effectively support the full patent lifecycle;AND
• Leading a team by planning, assigning, and evaluating work in support of mission-critical programs, projects, and operational activities; AND
• Providing expert advice to senior leadership, program officials, and stakeholders on information technology strategy, system capabilities, operational improvements, as well as overseeing enterprise information technology programs that support the USPTO's mission objectives, including AI implementation.

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.

Education

Education may not be substituted for specialized experience at this grade level.

Additional information

This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.

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

Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.

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.

All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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.

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.

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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.