Patent Paralegal

About the role

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Our diverse capabilities span a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabling the Laboratory to explore fundamental science challenges and to carry out the research needed to accelerate the delivery of solutions to the marketplace.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Prepare and file all formal papers for patent applications written within ORNL.
• Docket all actions for all ORNL patent applications.
• Work closely with all patent agents to assist when necessary and to ensure that all deadlines are met.
• Ensure outside counsel invoices for UT-Battelle's Patent Portfolio are properly administered and recorded in patent database.
• Work closely with outside law firms to monitor actions and make sure all necessary actions are addressed.
• Provide administrative support as needed.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.
• Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications

• A minimum of a high school education and five years of office experience with a paralegal certificate, and at least three years of experience as a paralegal or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrate proficiency in MS Word, MS Outlook, MS Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Must have ability to learn quickly and adapt to rapid changes.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to apply critical thinking and analytical skills, which includes analyzing facts and issues and coming up with solutions.
• Ability to work as a part of a team, including demonstration of cooperativeness, enthusiasm, positive attitude, and high-strong work ethic which includes staying on task, top-notch organizational and time management skills, punctuality, and reliability.
• Ability to follow directions and the confidence to ask questions or engage in collaborative discussion.
• Experience in document (paper and electronically stored information) identification, collection, review, production, and document management.
• Ability to work occasional overtime and to travel.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements including Integrated Safety Management System.
• Maintain strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Patent paralegal experience.
• Familiarity with the Anaqua patent docketing system.
• Willingness to learn, think outside the box, be resourceful, and be adaptable to change.

Special Requirements

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
• Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions.
• All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.