Director, Office of Patent Administration (OPA)
What you'd do
This position is located in the Office of Information Technology for Patents (OITP) , Office of Patent Automation (OPA), Office of the Commissioner for Patents, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) OPA is responsible for program and project management functions to ensure that the necessary functional and technical requirements are addressed in the development of automation tools and technologies needed to support improvements in Patents business operations.
Major duties
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. Major Duties for this position include: Directs the development and execution of the USPTO's strategic vision, goals, and priorities, ensuring alignment with internal stakeholder's objectives, modernization efforts, and long-term technology roadmaps. Serves as the Director, OPA, providing executive leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for enterprise-wide patent automation programs, products, services, and initiatives supporting the USPTO patent examination and business operations as well as represents the USPTO and OPA in interactions with external stakeholders, including the DOC, GAO, OIG, foreign intellectual property offices, the WIPO, industry groups, applicants, practitioners, vendors, contractors, and other federal agencies. Evaluates organizational performance and program effectiveness using performance metrics, data analytics, customer feedback, operational assessments, and continuous improvement practices; identifies risks and opportunities; and implements corrective actions and strategic improvements to enhance service delivery and mission outcomes. Leads the planning, design, development, implementation, modernization, enhancement, and sustainment of mission-critical patent automation systems, applications, data services, and technology solutions that support the end-to-end patent lifecycle, including filing, examination, classification, publication, issuance, post-grant processing, international obligations, and related business operations. Collaborates with senior executives, business unit leaders, legal counsel, technical organizations, and operational stakeholders across the USPTO to identify business needs, establish priorities, resolve complex issues, and advance strategic initiatives that support the agency's mission and objectives. Provides executive oversight of artificial intelligence (AI), including agentic approaches, to improve automation, efficiency, and operational effectiveness, machine learning, advanced analytics, automation, and emerging technology initiatives, including examiner-facing tools, prior art search capabilities, classification systems, workflow automation, fraud detection and mitigation capabilities, decision-support tools, and other innovations that improve patent quality, operational efficiency, and customer experience.
What you need to qualify
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 General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov). For OPM Standards for 1220 series are available at Patent Administration Series 1220. 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: Directing the planning and implementation of automation solutions for mission-critical systems. Applying expert knowledge of patent laws, regulations, policies, business processes, workflows, and examination operations to ensure information technology solutions effectively support the end-to-end patent lifecycle. Leading teams of federal employees and contractors through organizational change, workforce development, performance management, succession planning, training initiatives, policy development, process improvement efforts, and execution of mission-critical programs, projects, and operational activities. Providing leadership and oversight of enterprise information technology programs supporting the USPTO's mission objectives, including AI implementation. 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.
Before you apply
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