Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all groups of qualified individuals.

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.

If you're ready to promote and protect the interests of trademarks owners and the public, then this amazing opportunity within the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) is open to you! If you're motivated and ready for your next challenge, come join the agency that drives economic growth, national prosperity, and celebrates and supports the collaborative teamwork of its employees.

As an Administrative Trademark Judge (ATJ), you'll work together with other judges as a cohesive collective unit to further the mission of the TTAB.

An ATJ serves as a member of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the USPTO. The TTAB has the authority to:

• Review ex parte appeals of adverse decisions on trademark applications made by trademark examining attorneys;
• Review and decide inter partes oppositions to applications, petitions to cancel registrations, and concurrent use proceedings;
• Review and decide contested interlocutory motions in inter partes proceedings in collaboration with TTAB interlocutory attorneys and judge panels;
• Evaluate evidence, and arguments and citations presented in briefs filed in contested trademark trial cases and appeals;
• Engage in conferences with TTAB attorneys, judges and parties involved in trials and appeals, arising under Federal trademark registration statutes.

As an ATJ, you will:

• Review arguments and evidence provided in motions, briefs and oral hearings;
• Effectively work with colleagues to analyze and decide legal and factual issues;
• Prepare and issue timely, high-quality decisions, that are consistent with statutes, regulations, case law, and agency policies;
• Display professionalism and judicial decorum; and
• Perform any task that supports the mission of the USPTO and the TTAB, such as: participating in stakeholder engagement, leading project teams, contributing to policy development, and developing best practices.

The decisions of the TTAB are final in the Executive Branch and are subject to review, through appeal, only by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or by civil action in a U.S. District Court. The TTAB judges serve under the general administrative direction of the Chief and Deputy Chief Administrative Trademark Judges, TTAB. All adjudicatory functions are performed in concert with other assigned judges on each panel.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or a National.
• Complete a Declaration of Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx)
• Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) will be required upon appointment and annually.
• If this is your first federal appointment, you will be required to complete a two-year probationary period. Current federal service employees may be given a new appointment, and a new probationary period may be required.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

You must have significant, specialized experience at a level close to the work of this job that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform in the position. Typically, we would find this experience in work within the Trademark litigation and prosecution field or general IP field with a significant Trademark component and would be acquired over a lengthy period of years in the private practice of IP law, in IP-related government positions, or similar legal work.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) related to the position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified.

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. The candidate must be a recognized subject matter expert with directly related experience. Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Professional Technical Qualifications for this position in their two-page resume and writing sample.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs).

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

1. Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of and expertise in the legal principles and technical subject matter related to appeals and inter partes trial proceedings at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, including the Trademark Act and the statutory grounds for refusing/challenging registration, USPTO rules governing trademark matters (e.g., 37 C.F.R. Parts 2, 3, and 7), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, and common law governing the acquisition of ownership rights of marks, with the demonstrated ability to analyze and apply relevant law, interpret complex technical and factual information, review written work product of others, and collaborate and communicate effectively with others to resolve legal and technical issues.
2. Demonstrated ability to sift through pleadings, discovery, evidence, and briefs to find the important facts in a case, prepare clear and concise written documents applying pertinent law to those facts, and to manage multiple competing priorities, including assigned work and collaborative work with others, while meeting prescribed deadlines, productivity goals and quality standards.

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, writing sample and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) listed above. PTQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Superior applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

A complete application consists of all items listed below. Required materials must be submitted by the conclusion of the staffing process. Applications that are incomplete at that time may not be considered.

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 two-page resume (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES). To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.

2. A Writing Sample: No more than 10 pages that fully addresses a discrete argument or issue involving trademark law and demonstrates your analytical skills, organization, and clarity of writing. Your writing sample should be written by you and reflect your original work product, without significant editing by others. (Additional pages will not be reviewed beyond page 10)

3. Education Documentation: For positions with an education requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected and not already on file. See "Education" for more details.

4. Proof of good standing and active membership: You must submit documentation showing that you are an active member of the Bar in Good Standing of any State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court under the U.S. Constitution.

5. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): Please submit a current SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal Employee. Your status eligibility and highest permanent grade/step/salary held in the Federal service will be validated with a copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action".

6. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) documents: Applicants will be asked to submit: (1) A copy of your specific RIF notice, written notice of your expected separation or other documents of priority consideration status; (2) A copy of your latest SF-50 noting current position, grade, and duty location; (3) A copy of your last performance appraisal and the rating; and (4) Any documents from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

7. Special Hiring Authorities Documentation (Required, if applicable): If you are applying under a special hiring authority, submit a copy of proof of your eligibility.

8. Veterans Preference Documentation: Attorney positions are in the excepted service, not the competitive civil service. There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the USPTO considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor consideration in the hiring process.

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility, you will be asked to submit a copy of your DD-214 containing your discharge disposition, dates of service, and rank. If you are a preference eligible claiming a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more, you will be asked to submit documentation (i.e., a letter dated 1991 or later from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces) certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation. Veterans must include dates of military service within the automated application process and submit a copy of each Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214. For more information, please visit Feds Hire Vets.

Your application and all required documents must be received by 11:59 pm ET on the closing date of this job announcement.

Next steps