The Deputy Commissioner for Patents (DCP) is responsible for initiating programs consistent with the priorities and goals of the Agency, communicating policy and decisions within the context of her/his responsibilities, mentoring and coaching of subordinates, coordinating Patent strategic initiatives, establishing procedures, participating in activities which promote the goals of the Office and supporting improvements and programs presented by the Commissioner.

Other major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide 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.
• Make managerial and technical decisions required for successful program development, administration, and management.
• Frame out vision-oriented initiatives and provides strategic direction to individuals/teams for accomplishing these initiatives.
• Ensure administrative policies and procedures are communicated to Patent business unit employees and maintain responsibility for communicating issues that arise in the organization to the Commissioner for Patents.
• Represent 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.
• Provide administrative oversight to patent technology centers in their direct chain of oversight and coordinates with the other DCPs, who also oversee technology center components, to enable and ensure the examination of applications for and reissues of patents to ascertain if applicants are entitled to patents under the law; prepares the grants of patents to those so entitled.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• May be required to successfully complete a 1-year SES probationary period.
• A Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278, and the supplemental form, Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interest is required within 30 days after the selection for this position.
• You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and two Technical Qualifications (TQs), listed below in your resume. NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. If your resume does not demonstrate evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

PTQ 1: Experience in directing, supervising, and evaluating the activities of a professional and technical organization unit. This includes the ability to: develop and achieve organizational goals, prepare and execute organizational budgets, delegate assignments, motivate subordinate groups and individuals, and establish and maintain a positive working environment.

PTQ 2: Demonstrated knowledge of experience with patent statutes, regulations, and court decisions. This includes the ability to advise senior level executives on and to recommend thoughtful solutions for complex legal issues.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQS): In addition to the Technical Qualification requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and Principles of the American Founding: Requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Technical Qualifications (TQs) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your 2-page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, got to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.

1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to 2-pages, pdf format no less than 11pt font and 0.8 margins, showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs.

2. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:

• CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action (or equivalent)), or SF-50 showing career SES reinstatement eligibility.
• SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.

Next steps