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Summary The USPTO is headquartered in Alexandria, VA. The mission of the USPTO is to promote innovation by providing quality and timely examination and issuance of patent and trademark applications, guiding domestic and international intellectual property policy, and delivering intellectual property information and education worldwide. Through the issuance of patents, the USPTO encourages technological advancement by providing incentives to invent, invest in, and disclose new technology. Responsibilities The Director of Governmental Affairs and Oversight serves as the principal counselor, oversight official, and representative to the Under Secretary and the Deputy Under Secretary, and other senior United States Patent and Trademark (USPTO) officials on all legislative matters and policies that affect substantive programs or interests of the Agency. The incumbent ensures proper oversight of governmental activities and inquiries, and maintains effective communication between the Congress, the USPTO, other government agencies and the Department of Commerce (DOC) that is fully reflective of the Under Secretary's programs, priorities and perspectives. Other duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Conferring with Members of Congress and their constituents and represents the USPTO before Congress and with officials of OMB, DOC, and other governmental entities and before public and private stakeholders who have interests in key legislative issues. This requires the ability to relate policy and priorities to a very broad and complex range of specific activities. Developing and maintaining effective relationships with senior USPTO officials to become and remain thoroughly conversant with the operational needs of the agency's programs, problems of a sensitive and controversial nature, and areas of special or urgent congressional, intergovernmental, and stakeholder interest and any developing problems of unusual magnitude. Communicating with the Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary and senior USPTO officials on controversial issues to recommend or seek changes for better public and Congressional program acceptance. This requires the ability to convey and advance the Administration's views in an advocacy manner and develop and direct communication and outreach plans with Congress, other governmental entities, and internal and external stakeholders. Establishing and maintaining effective liaison with intellectual property bar associations, industry, and other stakeholders concerned with pending intellectual property or agency related legislation. Providing guidance and executive level leadership to staff members, including setting goals, strategic planning, setting performance standards, conducting performance evaluations, and ensuring that staff members are held accountable for their performance. Providing expert legal advice to Under Secretary, Deputy Under Secretary and USPTO senior officials on all legislative and Congressional matters and policies that may affect the substantive programs or interests of the Agency. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be considered. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. PTQ 1: Knowledge of and demonstrated experience in the principles and practices of the legislative and committee processes from proposal to enactment, in the House and Senate of the United States Congress. Recent experience in the House or Senate Judiciary Committee is particularly welcome. PTQ 2: Demonstrated skill and experience in communicating complex legal matters, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise and logical manner. Must be able to present and advocate for the agency's views on matters of interest and concern and respond to Congressional inquiries, as well as to prepare a variety of written documents, e.g., legislative proposals, agency decisions, position papers, policies, and testimonies. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Professional/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 and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification 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. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. Education The minimum educational requirement is a law degree and membership in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico is required. Incumbent must maintain membership of the bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico to uphold this position. In the alternative, 5-10 years of recent committee experience in the House and/or the Senate of the United States Congress is preferred. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement. Tiering: The Department/Agency structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department/Agency. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.