Patent Examination Policy Advisor

Summary

Are you up for an exciting challenge to work with the Office of Patent Legal Administration (OPLA), Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy? The incumbent will support the development, review, and implementation of patent examination policies, procedures, rules and practices, including the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, and provide guidance and training on patent-related legal and policy matters.

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 be... Applying comprehensive knowledge of applicable intellectual property laws, examination guidelines, and rules of practice and procedure; and utilizing a strong working knowledge of overall patent operations and related administrative functions to support policy, procedural, and operational decision-making. Performing comprehensive, in-depth reviews and analyses of complex individual intellectual property applications or systemic components of the examination process, identifying issues, evaluating procedures, and recommending improvements to ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards. Developing, formulating, and implementing new or revised examination regulations, practices, and procedures by issuing regulatory or public notices, circulating internal memoranda, creating training materials, and updating forms and standardized guidance. Providing staff assistance to senior patent leadership by researching and developing legal position papers to resolve complex patent-practice issues as they arise; formulating and guiding patent practice and policy subject to public and legislative scrutiny; and coordinating stakeholder outreach, impact analysis, and implementation planning for adopted positions. Delivering briefings and presentations to organizational leaders, technical examiners, and external stakeholders-including practitioners and independent inventors-on legal and procedural updates, policy changes, and program initiatives to support consistent, informed practice. Drafting documents; including presentations, policy memoranda, public notices, and rulemaking packages-and delivering them to organizational leaders, technical examiners, and external stakeholders for review, consideration, and, where appropriate, public comment.

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 Patent Administration Series 1220. 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. For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-14. Specialized experience for this position includes: Applying advanced engineering, scientific, and practical principles and methodologies to examine patent applications, assess patentability, and identify key issues. AND Interpreting and using administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents relevant to patent prosecution, reexamination, and reissue proceedings. AND Analyzing complex technical, factual, and legal matters to assess economic and technological impacts on major industries. 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.