Deputy Commissioner for Patents - Legal

About the role

The Deputy Commissioner for Patents - Legal (DCPL) formulates policy for all offices under the Commissioner for Patents and manages matters relating to patent petitions, creation and implementation of patent laws, rules and procedures, patent examining quality assurance, and updating the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). The DCPL is responsible for providing legal and policy guidance to the Commissioner for Patents and the other Patents DCPs. The DCPL 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 DCPL makes managerial and technical decisions required for successful program development, administration, and management.

Responsibilities

• Ensures legal policies/guidance and administrative policies/procedures are communicated to Patent business unit employees. Where practices and procedures are not aligned with the overall goals of the USPTO, creates remedies and implements practices to ensure compliance.
• Provides leadership and representation, serving as principal policy and legal advisor to the Commissioner for Patents and as a member of executive committees and working groups, many of which may include representatives from top management levels in the Agency. Represents the Agency at various meetings with patent bar associations regarding patent laws and practice.
• 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 employees, members of Congress, and foreign government officials.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of existing practice and has responsibility for the recommendation, development and formation of new examining policies, practices, and procedures as well as revising existing policies, practices, and procedures. Specifically responsible for ensuring that revised procedures are appropriately announced to USPTO stakeholders, including applicants, employees, and the public.
• Provides oversight of implementation of new rules and procedures in all patent examining areas. Primary responsibility is to resolve questions regarding the interpretation of the patent statutes, regulations, and case law.
• Oversees and directs the work of the Office of Patent Legal Administration (OPLA), MPEP, and the Office of Petitions, which are responsible for monitoring and reviewing various special programs and for the preparation of various rulemakings and decisions on petitions to the Under Secretary relating to patent applications and patents.
• Participates in matrix management with other DCPs in Patents. Duties and responsibilities are carried out consistently with the principles set forth in matrix management and require coordination of responsibilities with other DCPs. Matrix management requires that the DCPL possesses 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.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualification requirements, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and two Technical Qualifications (TQs) in your resume. Resume must not exceed 2 pages.

Technical Qualifications (TQs):

• Demonstrated leadership experience directing and evaluating a professional and technical organizational unit, including building strategic partnerships with the USPTO user community and stakeholders.
• Comprehensive expertise in patent statutes, regulations, and case law, with the ability to advise senior executives and deliver strategic solutions to complex legal issues.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs):

• Commitment to the Rule of Law and Principles of the American Founding
• Driving efficiency
• Merit and compliance
• Leading people
• Achieving results

More information on the PTQs and ECQs can be found on the USAJOBS posting.

Education

• At least a bachelor's degree in an engineering, scientific or technical field.
• A law degree from an accredited law school program.
• Must be a member of a bar in good standing, in the United States or a Territory of the United States.

Schedule

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.