Paralegal Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). The TTAB is an administrative tribunal within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that hears and decides trial level adversary proceedings involving two or more parties. These include oppositions, cancellations, and concurrent use proceedings. The TTAB also hears and decides appeals from final refusals issued by USPTO Trademark Examining Attorneys following review of applications to register marks.

Duties

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. The individual selected for this position will... Research cited authorities in party filings; use standard citators to validate and analyze case law and secondary sources; assess validity, applicability, and precedential value; draft concise summaries and recommended actions; and escalate novel or anomalous issues consistent with agency guidance. Review and edit legal documents for conformance with applicable laws, rules, and agency procedures; verify citation accuracy; ensure overall document quality; and apply updates resulting from changes in statutes, regulations, and procedural rules. Receive and take interlocutory action on stipulated and uncontested motions; grant routine extensions of time within delegated authority; and draft orders on non-dispositive matters, preparing recommendations on suspensions or consolidations for attorney review where warranted. Manage case files and dockets by receiving, reviewing, and docketing evidence and testimony; ensuring the completeness and accuracy of records; correcting identified deficiencies; and preparing records for the summary judgment, oral hearing, and decision stages. Examine and process ex parte appeals by verifying ripeness and formalities; instituting appeals within delegated authority; and taking interlocutory actions during the appeal (e.g., suspension, disposal, or remand) in accordance with agency guidance. Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders to explain routine procedural requirements; prepare periodic status updates and reports on actions, case types, and case status; and contribute to team cross training and process improvement activities within established guidelines.

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 Paralegal Specialist Series 0950 Specialized Experience is 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, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: GS-09: For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-07 Experience analyzing and applying laws, rules, and policies and procedures while reviewing incoming legal documents and communications. Experience providing case management support for attorneys and other legal staff on routine matters involving intellectual property law, including verifying the completeness and accuracy of case records and identifying deficiencies. OR Education can be substituted at the GS-09 level if the below is met: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related GS-11: For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-09 Experience independently drafting litigation documents involving intellectual property law, including analyzing and applying laws, rules, and policies and procedures, and making determinations on incoming legal documents and communications. Experience independently providing end-to-end case management support for attorneys and other legal staff on routine and non-routine matters involving intellectual property law, including verifying the completeness and accuracy of case records and taking action to correct deficiencies. Experience demonstrating strong oral and written communication skills while drafting legal documents and responding to internal and external stakeholders. OR Education can be substituted at the GS-11 level if the below is met: Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. with a major study in electrical or electronic engineering, mathematics, physics, public utilities, statistics, computer science, telecommunications management, information systems management, business administration, industrial management, or other fields related to the position to be filled. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) 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 be substituted for experience for this position if the below is met. GS-09: Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR GS-11: Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. with a major study in electrical or electronic engineering, mathematics, physics, public utilities, statistics, computer science, telecommunications management, information systems management, business administration, industrial management, or other fields related to the position to be filled. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to General Schedule Qualification Policies for more information. You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that can perform this evaluation is available at the National Association o