Patent and Trademark Office Logo
Position Title
Assistant Regional Director
Agency
Patent and Trademark Office
Announcement Number
TMCO-OOPE-25-12608305-MP Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 to Wednesday, December 11, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current of former Federal employee who held a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former federal employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect: career or career-conditional (Block #24 Tenure 1 or 2); AND, status in the competitive service (Block #34 Position Occupied is 1).

A. Yes
B. No
(limit characters)
5. Are you a current or former Federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
6. Are you eligible for appointment under an Interchange agreement or other similar authority?

For more information on interchange agreements and similar authorities, click here.
(limit characters)
7. Are you a spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty who has orders specifying a permanent change of station (not for training), OR a spouse of a 100% disabled service member injured while on active duty, OR an un-remarried widow/widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty? (limit characters)
8. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months? 

- OR - 

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position? 

- OR - 

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request. 
(limit characters)
9. Are you a current or former Federal employee who currently holds or has previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service at the same or higher grade level as the position being announced?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former federal employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect: career or career-conditional (Block #24 Tenure 1 or 2); AND, status in the competitive service (Block #34 Position Occupied is 1).

A. Yes
B. No
 
(limit characters)
10. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for Schedule A Disability appointments?

If eligible, provide proof of disability with appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
(limit characters)
11. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
  • served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
  • are entitled to veterans' preference? For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. USAJOBS Veterans resources

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. How did you hear about this USPTO job opportunity? (No Choice Limit) (limit characters)
2. Have you held a political appointment within the previous five-year period? (limit characters)
3. If you are a current or former Federal civilian employee, by what agency/office or Department of Commerce bureau are you employed? (limit characters)
4. If you answered "Other" to the above question, please enter the agency and organization. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Assistant Regional Director position with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Your resume and the responses you provide will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application. (limit characters)
1. Do you possess a degree in a scientific or engineering discipline?
(limit characters)
2. In order to qualify for this position at the GS-15 level, you must have at least 1 (one) year of the defined Specialized Experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level.

Specialized Experience is defined as:
Experience providing thorough knowledge of the practice and procedures related to the prosecution of patent applications;
Experience performing and managing or directing work in an Intellectual Property environment;
Experience conducting program evaluation and oversight activities; and simplifying and communicating complicated data;
Experience formulating policies; and providing comprehensive management advisory services to senior management.
(limit characters)
For each of the following items, select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided below. (limit characters)
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
3. Makes decisions that significantly impact resource allocations, coordination of long-range planning, and performance measures.
(limit characters)
4. Meets with key customers, senior management, and officials to assess customer satisfaction, explain organization policy and procedures, resolve significant problems, and facilitate mission accomplishment. (limit characters)
5. Reviews policies, procedures, mission objectives, and organizational design to identify and eliminate barriers to mission accomplishment.
(limit characters)
6. Identifies and implements need for change in organizational priorities.
(limit characters)
7. Represents and attends conferences or other outreach engagements as directed to make presentations and to promote the services and resources and to explain patent procedures to outside groups.
(limit characters)
8. Establishes, develops, and maintains effective working relationships with other organizations.
(limit characters)
9. Participates in the development, planning, and coordinating in outreach communication plans. (limit characters)
10. Applies a wide range of analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues and/or studies concerning the efficiency, productivity, effectiveness and impact of various operations.
(limit characters)
11. Conducts briefings and prepares presentations to keep leadership or office personnel advised of program progress and to communicate findings and recommendations, ensuring that goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed timeframes and parameters.
(limit characters)
12. Prepares clear and concise reports, data and statistics to describe data collection techniques, and analytical and evaluative methods to derive conclusions.
(limit characters)
13. Summarizes reports and extracts essential information to communicate findings and/or support recommendations to management.
(limit characters)
14. Drafts and/or provides input on policies and procedures and develops a variety of statistical reports.
(limit characters)
15. Researches and applies policies and procedures regarding patent examining related matters that may arise. (limit characters)
16. Assists and explains patent procedures to internal and external customers. (limit characters)
17. Utilizes Intellectual Property (IP) skills in the practice and procedures related to the prosecution of patent applications. (limit characters)