Copyright Office Deputy General Counsel

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, US Copyright Office. The position description number is 432162.

The salary range reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Wash, D.C., Metro area. The incumbent may work a flextime work schedule. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

Relocation expenses will not be considered for the person selected under this vacancy. The person selected for this position must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance.

The competencies below are required for this position. Those marked with a double asterisk (**) are considered the most critical competencies for this position.

A candidate's resume must show a proven record of accomplishment that clearly demonstrates he or she has: 1.

Ability to Conduct and Manage Research Related to Copyright and Administrative Law**: The successful candidate directed and coordinated research on range of problems involved in the development, implementation, and operation of U.S.

copyright law, administrative law and Title 17, and in doing so performed the following: 1) planned, organized and coordinated research projects relate to the legal aspects of copyright; 2) conducted and directed research on problems involving registration of claims and the recordation of documents; 3) researched and provided advice on statutory licenses; 4) analyzed interrelationships of all aspects of legal issues related to Title 17; 5) ensured problems related to Title 17 are appropriately conceptualized and defined; 6) ensured information and research are fully analyzed and synthesized; 7) ensured that implications of legal research are identified and appropriate conclusions are drawn; and 8) generated and assesses alternatives and the consequences of choosing each alternative.

2.

Ability to Lead and Supervise a Diverse Workforce Effectively**: The successful candidate supervised and managed a diverse staff including: 1) planning/assigning work; 2) setting/adjusting short-term work priorities; 3) evaluating work performance; 4) interviewing candidates for positions; 5) hearing and resolving employee complaints; 6) identifying developmental/training needs; 7) communicating organizational policies to the staff; 8) recommending awards for employees; 9)reviewing and approving serious disciplinary actions; and 10) finding ways to improve production quality.

3. Knowledge of Copyright Law**: The successful candidate demonstrated knowledge copyright law, litigation, statutory licensing, copyright registration and document recordation. 4.

Ability to Convey Legal Analysis and Information Orally Through Briefings, Consultations, and Other Presentations: The successful candidate has the ability to convey analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations.

5.

Ability to Manage a Program and Effect Change: The successful candidate has the ability to lead and effect change in carrying out the organizational mission that reflects key goals, priorities, and values.

6.

Ability to Communicate Effectively Other Than in Writing: The successful candidate has the ability to speak clearly and with professional poise in both formal and informal settings to customers, vendors, and peers, managers to both provide and seek information.

This includes providing information that is accurate, current, and complete.

This also includes targeting the amount, style, and content of the information to the needs of the receiver; actively listening to and understanding information; and listening to and answering questions thoughtfully and completely.

Major Duties:

The Deputy shares fully the responsibilities of the General Counsel for the administration of copyright law by the Copyright Office.

Interprets Copyright Office programs and practices and makes policy recommendations as requested in specific areas of copyright law.

Represents and speaks for the Copyright Office in speeches and discussions at legal and professional meetings, conferences, and seminars primarily in the United States.

Contributes to articles and other writings for publication in law reviews, collections, professional journals, etc.

Conducts and directs research on problems involving the Office's licensing, registration and recordation functions.

Manages rulemaking related to these functions, including the registration of claims, deposit of copyrighted works, and recordation of documents.

Oversees the Office's administration of statutory licenses and the CCB and related rulemaking.

Exercises Copyright Office's statutory authority, as well as delegated authority, in the administration of policy studies and research in designated major research areas related to the process for refusals to register.

Drafts proposed and final regulations for review and approval by the Register.

Provides sound counsel and advice to all staff in the Copyright Office concerning legal issues in their respective areas of responsibility.

Performs legal review of and drafts official replies in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Supervises staff up through the GS-15.

Establishes guidelines and performance standards for staff members, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system.

Observes workers' performance; provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Resolves complaints and grievances.

Develops work improvement plans, recommends and/or approves personnel actions. Provides advice and counsel to staff on work and administrative matters.

Effects disciplinary measures and approves or disapproves leave requests.

Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations and building evacuation procedures.

Ensures the occupational safety and health of staff, by complying with applicable safety and ergonomic regulations and guiding staff in following safety directives and procedures.

Directs and coordinates research on the entire range of problems involved in the development, implementation, and operation of the U.S. Copyright law including related laws contained in title 17.

Work with attorneys and other copyright office employees to ensure that reports for Congress and statements are complete, accurate and on time.

Provides Congressional staff members advisory services and oral briefings that clarify legal questions, identifies and discusses legal options, and informs Congressional staff.

Participates in preparing and reviewing for the General Counsel, in cooperation with others, proposed legislation related to the Copyright Act; proposed rules and regulations under the Copyright Act; documents to be submitted to administrative or judicial authorities; and correspondence related to the OGC's responsibilities.

Drafts rules, policy statements, explanations, commentaries, determinations of novel questions of law and other questions of law referred to the Register of Copyrights by the Copyright Royalty Judges, and participates in the processes of rule-making, including hearings and the evaluation of testimony and written comments.

Consults actively and widely with the entire range of communities, such as legal, authorship, publishing, entertainment, educational, library, communications, art, and others affected by title 17, and informs these entities about pertinent Copyright Office policies and practices.

Prepares written legal analyses, arguments, briefs, or other analytical documents for courts, congressional members, committees, and staff which relate the attorney's comprehensive knowledge of copyright law.

These analyses may define or clarify controversial or disputed legal issues; apply sophisticated legal analysis to intractable problems; assess political and institutional constraints; organize and present legal options and analyze their consequences; and anticipate the direction of policy questions.