Patent Attorney

The Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property seeks a registered patent attorney to advise on complex intellectual property, data rights, technology transfer, and commercialization matters involving DOE-funded research, National Laboratories, and Department programs.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: All applicants MUST: Meet the minimum education requirements of successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND Must be a current, active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: GS-12 Qualifications: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 1 of 2 of the following: Sound legal training from an accredited law school and bar membership; coursework or internship experience in intellectual property (IP) law. Ability to research and analyze IP and technology transfer issues, e.g., inventions, patents, technical data, copyrights, trademarks, publications, and licenses, affecting DOE programs and contractors, and prepare clear advice and work product, e.g., memos, provisions, determinations. GS-13 Qualifications: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 3 of the following: Legal training and increasing responsibilities and experience in effectively handling transactions, compliance, program design, and other matters involving intellectual property, data, technology transfer, and related issues. Knowledgeable in federal intellectual property, data, and technology transfer legal frameworks (statutes, regulations, precedents, policies) and issues, and the ability to apply this to significant transactions, program designs, compliance, and other matters. Increasing responsibilities and experience in intellectual property, data, and technology transfer matters, and ability to prepare factually/legally sound advice and work product, both written and oral, with minimal supervision. GS-14 Qualifications: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 3 of the following: Sound and authoritative knowledge of intellectual property, data, and technology transfer legal frameworks (statutes, regulations, precedents, policies) and issues, and the ability to advance the Department's policies and programmatic interests using that authoritative knowledge. Ability to provide sound legal advice, both written and oral including in real time, to DOE officials, handle broad and complex intellectual property, data, technology transfer, and commercialization legal issues (including statutory interpretation), prepare counsel and provisions in complex matters and programs, and review documents for legal sufficiency. Increasing responsibilities and experience in intellectual property, data, and technology transfer matters, and ability to prepare factually/legally sound advice and work product, both written and oral, with minimal supervision. GS-15 Qualifications: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-14 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 3 of the following: Sound and sophisticated understanding of advanced intellectual property, data, technology transfer, and commercialization legal concepts and significant legal policy/regulatory issues. Increasing responsibilities and experience handling challenging intellectual property, data, technology transfer, and commercialization legal matters. Ability to communicate effectively and work independently to analyze, clarify, interpret, and resolve extremely challenging and complex intellectual property, data, technology transfer, and commercialization transactional, compliance, and program design matters to advance the Department's legal and programmatic interests. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS, a selectee for a GS-1222 Patent Attorney position must possess the following qualifications: Candidates must also have completed a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree in a scientific, technological, or engineering field; AND Candidates must also be registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.