Supervisory Petitions Examiner

Full Job Description

Imagine your career working side by side with Intellectual Property policy leaders.

The Office of Petitions plays a role in all aspects of the Patents Business Unit, including administration of patent operations, examination policy, patent quality management, resources and planning, and budget administration.

Join the Office of Petition's collaborative and skilled team to help guide petitions practice at the USPTO and support the agency's mission to promote American innovation.

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position.

You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.

OPM Qualifications Standards are available at Patent Administration Series 1220 You must meet all qualification requirements including time-in-grade (refer to 5 CFR 300.604 for more information on time-in-grade) by the closing date of the job announcement.

Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the federal service. For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-14.

Specialized experience for this position includes: Applying legal, technical, and scientific analysis to identify key issues, and to recommend remedies consistent with law and policy; AND Reviewing current laws, regulations, and policies, to recommend changes and oversees the implementation of the revisions/changes; AND Leading a team in day-to-day operation in evaluating and preparing legal decisions.

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. Major Duties:

The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia.

Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is a requirement for this role as this position 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.

The individual selected for this position will be... Reviewing current laws, regulations, and policies; recommending changes and overseeing the implementation of the revisions/changes.

Evaluating and overseeing petition reviews, drafting legally sound decisions, and exercising signatory authority.

Coordinating petition evaluation programs to analyze new or modified legislation, assessing impacts on agency petition practices and programs, and guiding policy updates and implementation to ensure consistent, compliant outcomes.

Assigning work to staff based on mission priorities, the complexity and requirements of each petition matter, and employees' skills and capabilities; setting short-term timelines and adjusting workload to ensure timely, high-quality petition decisions.

Representing the agency in high-level meetings within the agency, other agencies, vendors, and external stakeholders; presenting complex or controversial assessment results; negotiating agreements; and influencing approval and implementation of agency-wide solutions and plans.

Evaluating and overseeing petition reviews and preparing legally sound, final agency decisions consistent with patent statutes, regulations, and agency policy and procedures.