This position is located in the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). The TTAB is an administrative tribunal within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that hears and decides trial level adversary proceedings involving two or more parties. These include oppositions, cancellations, and concurrent use proceedings. The TTAB also hears and decides appeals from final refusals issued by USPTO Trademark Examining Attorneys following review of applications to register marks.
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 Paralegal Specialist Series 0950 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-11. Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience interpreting and applying laws, regulations, and agency procedures while preparing and reviewing final legal products for correctness, accuracy, and adherence to established precedent and procedures. Experience providing formal or informal training, coaching or mentoring, reviewing quality of legal work products, and using sound judgment to resolve problems and escalate issues, as appropriate. Experience conveying relevant facts, analysis, and conclusions both orally and in writing, while drafting and editing legal documents and SOPs, and coordinating with team members, other business units, and the public. 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.
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. This position serves as a Lead Paralegal Specialist. This is your next ideal career move if: You are skilled at coaching teams, advising on work methods, balancing workloads, resolving informal issues, and providing input on promotions, reassignments, recognition, and training needs. You have a track record of delivering and arranging team and technical/legal training, recommending ways to boost quality and output, and coaching employees to improve performance. You are meticulous about oversight-monitoring and reporting progress; checking work to ensure priorities, deadlines, and quality are met; defining success measures; and preparing periodic reports and trend analyses. You are an expert in reviewing, cite-checking, and editing legal documents for compliance with FRCP and trademark statutes and regulations; you stay current on rule changes and guide filings. You are the go-to resource for agency procedures and rules; you review draft SOPs, FAQs, and TBMP inputs before release and handle most inquiries. You have experience designing and monitoring performance and customer metrics; improving filing/TBMP/FAQ web content; partnering with the Quality Team and leading training; communicating with judges, attorneys, paralegals, the public, and USPTO staff; and preparing reports, and presentations.