This position is located in the Office of the Copyright Royalty Judges, Office of the Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office. The position description number for this position is 454698. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a flexitime work schedule. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following Ability to Supervise and Lead a Workforce of Excellence.** Ability to conduct research and prepare written legal reports and opinions. ** Ability to write/communicate effectively in writing. ** Ability to provide legal advice and guidance. Ability to Convey Legal Analysis and Information Orally Through Briefings, Consultations, and Other Presentations. Ability to meet and deal with others. Knowledge of Copyright and/or Administrative Law and/or Microeconomic Principles. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
The Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004 revised Section 80I of Title 17 of the United States Code created a new program, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) to adjust rates and terms for the various compulsory license provisions and the statutory obligations of the Copyright Act, to determine the distribution of royalties collected by the Copyright Office under these licenses, and to make determinations regarding the status of a digital audio recording device or a digital audio interface device under the provisions of Section 1010 of the Copyright Act. The Music Modernization Act (MMA) also assigned to the CRB responsibility to review and approve the operating budget for the Mechanical Licensing Collective created by the MMA. The CRB also monitors and publishes cost-of-living adjustments to certain royalty rates and engages in rulemaking, as required to perform its duties. The primary purpose of this position is to provide legal advice and counsel on matters related to the establishment of copyright royalty rates, distribution of royalty fees, assessment of digital audio recording technology and media, and oversight of the implementation of copyright royalty judges procedures. The incumbent's duties may require knowledge of economic principles relating to intellectual property, competition, or regulation. This position reports to the Chief, Copyright Royalty Board and the position supervises support staff for the Copyright Royalty Board. In particular, the incumbent participates in hearings and assists in the drafting of determinations of royalty rates and terms and determinations of appropriate allocation of royalty fees on deposit in the Copyright Office. The incumbent also oversees publication of documents relating to CRB proceedings in the Federal Register. While performing daily activities, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring proper handling and security of Library and Copyright Royalty Board materials; and performs miscellaneous administrative duties as needed in support of the Copyright Royalty Judge Program. Supervises employees performing work up to the GS-14 level. Provides administrative and technical supervision relative to the staff supervised. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets, and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. Observes workers' performance; conducts work performance critiques. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff and clearly communicates these through the formal employee performance management system. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignment and develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Provides professional legal advice and related services to the Copyright Royalty Judges on matters concerning copyright royalties, and the compulsory and statutory licenses. Serves as an expert on all legal and factual matters concerning copyright royalty judges and their responsibilities relating to the compulsory and statutory licenses contained in title l 7 of the U.S. Code. This includes matters where complex and difficult legal questions or factual issues are involved. These issues include dealing with confidential and sensitive questions that affect the administration and resources of the office. Prepares written legal analyses and other analytical documents including CRJ Hearing Decisions for publication in the Federal Register. Drafts any regulations resulting from these decisions. Drafts regulations and policies dealing with compulsory and statutory licensing issues and makes recommendations for revisions to existing procedures and policies based on changes in the law, Federal Communications Commission rules, and other decisions that affect the compulsory and statutory licenses. Represents the CRB at professional, business, and bar association meetings and symposia. Acts as the legal counsel to the head of a major operating program of the agency (the Office of the Copyright Royalty Judges). Serves as one of the principal authorities on litigation matters related to compulsory and statutory licenses. Serves as a principal liaison between the agency and the Department of Justice on appeals of decisions rendered by the Copyright Royalty Judges. Conducts extensive legal research on highly intricate and exceedingly complex questions of law and policy relating to copyright royalties and compulsory and statutory licenses to the extent they are the responsibility of the Copyright Royalty Judge. Performs other duties as assigned.