Summary

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) to advance the shared understanding of how to best implement the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The CAIO is the principal advisor to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Deputy CIO on operationalizing AI and ML with a focus on business value delivery to the agency.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

The incumbent serves as the recognized expert and senior authority within the USPTO on AI, ML, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to provide leadership across the enterprise. The CAIO will develop and implement plans and strategies on best in class, appropriate forms of artificial intelligence and machine learning to achieve agency goals and deliver business value. The CAIO will serve as technical expert across all areas of the organization and collaboratively work with OCIO senior leadership and stakeholders as it relates to the investment and implementation of the current and relevant forms of AI, ML and RPA.

The CAIO provides technical expertise, hands-on engineering/delivery, and possesses exceptional leadership qualities in the areas including but not limited to: Natural Language Processing (NLP), Image Processing, Expert Systems, Evolutionary Computation, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Deep Neural Network including training and validation of proper data sets, use of AI/ML/RPA and creating scalable feedback learning loop and fine-tune behavior capabilities based on end user interactions.

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

Providing expert technical advice to CIO and DCIO and lead high-level decision-making regarding AI, ML and RPA throughout the enterprise including expert knowledge of state-of-the-art technological approaches and future trends
Translating high-impact business use cases into implementable AI technology/roadmaps;
Providing advice and hands-on execution assistance to OCIO Office Directors on the implementation of AI frameworks and/or use cases;
Leading strategy engagements and adoption with mission critical internal business units to create clear and actionable strategic roadmaps to operationalize AI and support business cases that both delineate a broader end-game, while also prioritizing quick wins with near-term measurable impact;
Providing leadership on the reporting, analysis, technology, risk management, and governance recommendations to accelerate integration and adoption of AI technologies across the enterprise and deliver platform resilience;
Leading strategy engagements with mission critical internal business units to create clear and actionable strategic road maps to operationalize Emerging Technology and supporting business cases that both delineate a broader end-game, while also prioritizing quick wins with near-term measurable impact;
Applying cost/benefit analysis and convey the long-term financial impact (positive or negative) or other long-term resource impact (positive or negative) related to AI use cases;
Collaborating with DevSecOps teams to design and implement innovative technology solutions that result in a technology/capability pipeline that services current and future capabilities for the mission of Patents and Trademark operations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Refer to "Additional Information".
Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
You are required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
If this is your first federal appointment, you will be required to complete a one-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.
You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.
Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) will be required within the first 30 days of appointment.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum requirements for a Senior Level position, candidates must be a recognized subject matter expert with directly related experience. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Professional/Technical Qualifications for this position in their two-page resume and this experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show the candidate possesses the required subject matter expertise and technical qualifications set forth below.

Examples of relevant qualifications include:

3+ years of proven skills related to Emerging Technology, such as but not limited to Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation implementation with professional experience in applied implementation of Natural Language Processing (NLP), Expert Systems Evolutionary Computation, Robotic Process Automation, & Deep Machine Learning/Neural Networks domain.
Proven experience in applications of Emerging Technologies in decision augmentation.
Ability to lead in fast paced and dynamic environment.
Excellent Communication and presentation skills.
Proven public sector and/or corporate experience leadership with major deep learning initiatives that resulted in measurable improvements with a sound, applied Emerging Technology strategies aligned with an overall (digital) business strategy.

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 be considered, the resume must not exceed two pages. Written narratives for the Professional Technical Qualifications are not required. Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Mandatory Technical Qualifications for this position in their two-page resume.

Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs): All candidates must show evidence in their resume of the following mandatory technical competencies to meet basic qualifications for this position. Written narratives for the Professional Technical Qualifications are not required.

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQS):

Expert knowledge of and demonstrated hands-on experience delivering; artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing solutions in support of business objectives; solution architecture/design/engineering; cloud engineering and cloud services; information security, especially in the protection of data assets in relation to AI implementation and usage; and sophisticated understanding of future trends in artificial intelligence and ability to drive innovation.
Demonstrated leadership ability and expert knowledge to lead strategic and tactical enterprise-wide AI technology initiatives and technology adoption that improve and enhance information technology products and operations and business programs and outcomes across a large, multifunctional technical organization which includes a blended workforce consisting of employees and contractors/vendors.

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

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.

Education

Strongly preferred educational level is PhD and/or Masters and a minimum educational requirement for this position is bachelors in fields such as Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Computer Science, Math, Engineering, or another technical related field is required.

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

USPTO Job Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should request accommodation(s) from the USPTO at http://www.uspto.gov/accommodation.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

Background Investigation - If selected for this position, you will be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), which includes a fingerprint and credit check, to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit the Department of Homeland Security Website.All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.

Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, retaliation for engaging in protected activity, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. If you believe that you have been discriminated against and would like to file an EEO complaint, you must do so within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. Claims of employment discrimination must be submitted to the attention of the USPTO's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity via email (oeeo@uspto.gov) or phone (571-272-8292).

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants will be considered based on their overall background as it relates to the position to be filled. Interviews may be held at the option of the agency. All application materials and interviews, if conducted, will be used in the final evaluation and selection process. Candidates found minimally qualified will be further evaluated by an Executive Resources Board based on the extent and quality of their experience. Appropriate consideration will be given for job-related training, education, awards, publications, and supervisory appraisals of job performance. Interviews of applicants may be held at the option of the Board.

Required Documents

A complete application includes 1. A two-page resume 2. Vacancy Questionnaire Responses and 3. Submission of any required documents. 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).

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. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Resume should clearly state your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section.

2. VACANCY QUESTION RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.

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. VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION: 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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link:

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.

Agency contact information

John Edmond

Phone: 571-272-8479
Email: john.edmond@uspto.gov

Address: EXRD - Office of the Chief Information Officer
Office of Human Resources
Mail Stop 171
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
US

Next steps

You will receive a notice generated by the USAJobs system when you have successfully submitted your application.

You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." The four points of notification are:

1. Application Received or Application Incomplete; and
2. Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met; and
3. Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and
4. Selected or Not Selected.

After all application packages have been received, we will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic requirements on the information provided and you may be contacted for follow-up supplemental documentation. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide any supplemental documents or information requested by the Office of Human Resources within the allocated timeframes.

Applicants may continue to update their application package between each cut-off period. Applicants not selected at one cut-off period will continue to be considered for the position at each subsequent cut-off until the close of the vacancy announcement.

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).You can check the status of your application by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJobs Account, editing your profile and changing the "Notification Settings" to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within 2 weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.

Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Job in Alexandria, VA