Job details

Midwest Regional Director

Duties

As a part of the USPTO Senior Executive Service (SES) cadre, you will be among a group of highly skilled executives, contributing to one of the important missions in the federal government. This position is an SES member, an elite group of senior government leaders who possess a diverse portfolio of experience and expertise required to lead across agencies. This cadre of dedicated executives is charged with providing strategic leadership and upholding a commitment to public service. As an SES member, you will influence the direction of innovation and transformation of the federal government and lead the next generation.

The Midwest Regional Office was the first-ever USPTO satellite office located outside of Washington, D.C., and was selected to promote innovation and stimulate the economy by connecting entrepreneurs to government resources, supporting students and teachers through our STEM education programs including professional development for teachers, gathering feedback from regional stakeholders, and recruiting diverse talent from the region.

The Midwest Regional Office is located in Detroit, Michigan, and serves a hub of education and outreach. The Midwest Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

As Midwest Regional Director, your role will be vital to expanding the U.S. economy by $1T by bringing into the innovation ecosystem those who have not traditionally participated. As the Regional Director, you'll work with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, other regional directors, and the USPTO executive team and staff to communicate and carry out the agency's mission, vision, strategic goals, and further outreach objectives. The Regional Director will collaborate with other business units within the USPTO to incentivize innovation, particularly among traditionally underrepresented individuals and communities; help facilitate the protection of innovation and brands; and work as a catalyst to bring more ideas to impact, especially in key technology areas. The Regional Director will be shaping the US to create jobs, foster economic prosperity, promote national security and solve world problems. The Regional Director will also play a key role in employee hiring and engagement in the region and will be the managing director of the Office.

If you're committed to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, you'll have the potential to make a tremendous positive impact. Come join the dynamic leadership team at the USPTO working together with the full spectrum of innovators, to protect, incentivize, and support innovation in the region.

Here are some of the exciting duties you'll engage in:

You'll be at the forefront of many initiatives related to intellectual property, supporting activities and efforts focused on incentivizing and protecting innovation from individual inventors, small to medium-sized enterprises, and other entities in the Midwest Region, including those in and from traditionally underrepresented communities.
You'll represent the agency in the Midwest Region, and a vital part in delivering information on and advocating for the value of intellectual property by strengthening the public's understanding of intellectual property and the products and services the USPTO offers.
You'll engage with stakeholders and those who do not yet have access to the innovation ecosystem to protect more innovation and bring it to impact to solve problems, create jobs, and enhance economic prosperity.
You'll facilitate, coordinate, and lead high-level engagements with intellectual property and stakeholder leaders at the local, state, and Federal levels.
You'll inspire, promote innovation, work with innovators, and stimulate the economy by increasing and connecting entrepreneurs to government resources, supporting students and teachers through STEM education programs, gathering feedback from regional stakeholders, and recruiting diverse talent from the region.
You'll play a key role working with the business units to ensure employee engagement in the region.
You'll provide leadership and oversight to the Midwest Regional Office staff and will be responsible for the overall administrative management and performance of subordinate staff.
You'll be responsible for facilities management oversight, including coordinating with USPTO's Executive Leadership on issues related to closures of the office due to unscheduled events (e.g., extreme weather, natural disasters, non-operational IT systems, etc.).

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen or a National.
Background and/or Security investigation, if selected for position.
Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) will be required upon appointment.

Qualifications

Experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show that the candidate possesses the required Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) set forth below.

Applicants are required to input narrative responses to the PTQs and ECQs in the text boxes as prompted by USAJobs. Each PTQ and each ECQ have a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) that must be adhered to. Do not write "see resume." Uploaded documents addressing the PTQs and ECQs will not be accepted.

Professional/Technical Qualifications:
PTQ 1: A background or skill set that demonstrates the ability to succeed at stakeholder and community outreach and development. Understanding of how to support, facilitate, coordinate, and lead high-level engagements at the local, state, and Federal levels to share visions, effect change, and incentivize behavior that will benefit and encourage the growth of our innovation-based economy, including in underrepresented sectors across the entire region.

PTQ 2: Ability to effectively lead programs and/or people. Ability to inspire others and to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others and in teams working toward common goals. Ability to resolve conflicts. Excellent communication skills for keeping leadership informed as issues arise and higher-level decisions are needed.

PTQ 3: Knowledge of the patent and trademark processes.

PTQ 4: Ability to represent programs and initiatives positively before external and internal stakeholders and to communicate effectively and comfortably through public speaking.

PTQ 5: Demonstrated ability to effectively plan, organize, and implement programs and measure their progress toward established goals.

For the following five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), you are required to submit a narrative response addressing your specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that demonstrate your possession of these qualifications. Be sure to provide specific examples of what you've done that demonstrate your possession of each ECQ. For more information about the Executive Core Qualifications please visit this site: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference- materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf

ECQ 1: Leading Change - This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, and Vision.

ECQ 2: Leading People - This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

Competencies: Conflicting Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others and Team Building.

ECQ 3: Results Driven - This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems and calculating risks.

Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving and Technical Credibility.

ECQ 4: Business Acumen - This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial and information resources strategically.

Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management and Technology Management.

ECQ 5: Building Coalitions - This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, and Influencing/Negotiation.

Applicants are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Result (C-C-A-R) model outlined in the Guide to SES Qualifications.
Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal.
Context - Describe the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked, to address a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).
Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.
Result - Give specific examples of measures/outcomes that had some impact on the organization. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.

Note: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed.

Note: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM, only need to submit a resume and narrative statement covering each of the PTQs and do NOT need to address the ECQs.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid work, 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.

Education

This position does not have an education requirement.

Additional information

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders and generally is a key to advancement. Therefore, applicants are expected to be mobile and once appointed SES members may be reassigned at the discretion of the appointing authority.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position. This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of "high" risk.

Background Investigation: If selected for this position, you may be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), which includes a fingerprint and credit check, to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm.All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.

Veteran preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued.

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as amended, requires senior officials in the executive, legislative and judicial branches to file public reports of their finances as well as other interests outside the Government. If selected for this position, you will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278). The OGE 278 is available to the public. The primary purpose of disclosure is to assist agencies in identifying potential conflicts of interest between a filer's official duties and the filer's private financial interests and affiliations.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. If you believe that you have been discriminated against and would like to file an EEO complaint, you must do so within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. Claims of employment discrimination must be submitted to the attention of the USPTO's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity via email (oeeod@uspto.gov) or phone (571-272-8292).

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

To be considered for this position, you must demonstrate in your application package that you meet the experience as defined under the "Qualifications" section; answer the questions about PTQs and ECQs; and submit a detailed resume that supports your responses to the PTQs, ECQs, and specialized experience. Your responses to the PTQs and ECQs and your resume will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or for changing your scored responses to questions you've answered, which may affect your overall final score. Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the "Required Documents" section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application.) Candidates will be evaluated by an executive rating panel based on the degree to which they meet the PTQs and ECQs, and in consideration of the applicant's education, work-related experience, training, awards, and professional recognition, as set forth in the materials submitted by the candidates and placed in one of the pre-defined quality categories. These categories are "Highly Qualified," "Well Qualified," and "Qualified." Candidates placed in the highest-quality category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
A complete application consists of:
- A resume to describe your job-related qualifications: Your resume should indicate your citizenship and should list your education and work experience, including job titles, salary, employment dates, duties, accomplishments, and detailed information to support your qualifications related to this position. The resume must provide evidence (such as related professional experience and accomplishments) that demonstrate you possess the technical qualifications and the ECQs.
- Narrative responses to the PTQs and ECQs: Do not write "see resume." Applicants are required to input narrative responses in the text boxes, as prompted by USAJobs. Each PTQ and ECQ have a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) that must be adhered to. Please be sure that your responses include detailed information to support your qualifications related to the PTQs and ECQs. Uploaded documents addressing the PTQs or ECQs will not be accepted. Note: Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating.
- All current and former career SES members must provide an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action documenting their status or reinstatement eligibility. Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their Qualification Review Board (QRB) certificate.
- Please submit a SF-50 if you are a current federal employee.
NOTE: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel. You can choose one of the following methods to submit supporting documents: (1) You can upload your documents when you register or update your information on the Department of Commerce application site, which you access through the USAJobs site; or (2) You can fax your documents to 571-258-4052 using the system-generated fax cover sheet. Your application and all required documentation must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this job announcement. Review your resume and responses carefully. Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your rating. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply

******If you are currently, or have been within the last five years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information in your application.

You MUST apply online. If you experience difficulties with the application process or do not have access to a computer, please contact the HR Specialist listed as the point of contact before the closing date of this job announcement.

If you are a new user to the USAJobs Site and have never registered for an account, you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJobs user, and you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help setting up an account or for general help using USAJobs, go to USAJobs Help Page. Once you have gathered all of the required information and are ready to begin the application process, click the "APPLY" button at the right side of the page. You will then be directed away from USAJobs to the Department of Commerce application site for USPTO. You must click "Submit" at the end of the application process to send your application for consideration.

To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov/ and click on "Applications." Click on the position title, then select "Update Application. "If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! OPM has a Help feature on each page. Use this option when you need assistance. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJobs "Saved Documents" feature.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is defined as information that can be traced back to a specific individual and potentially compromise their security or privacy. Examples of PII include: date of birth, Social Security Number, and place of birth. Please ensure that you have removed all PII from all documents prior to submitting or uploading your application material. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12004648

Agency contact information

Kesha Nelson
Phone

571-272-1836
Email

kesha.nelson@uspto.gov
Address

EXRD - Office of the Under Secretary and Director
Office of Human Resources
Mail Stop 171
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
US

Next steps

You will receive notification through USAJobs at each of the following points during the application process: (1) application received, (2) applicant assessed for qualifications, (3) applicant referred or not referred, and (4) applicant selected or not selected.

You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJobs website at www.usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging in to your USAJobs account, editing your profile, and changing the "Notification Settings" to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within two weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request

Required Documents

A complete application consists of:

A resume to describe your job-related qualifications: Your resume should indicate your citizenship and should list your education and work experience, including job titles, salary, employment dates, duties, accomplishments, and detailed information to support your qualifications related to this position. The resume must provide evidence (such as related professional experience and accomplishments) that demonstrate you possess the technical qualifications and the ECQs.

Narrative responses to the PTQs and ECQs: Do not write "see resume." Applicants are required to input narrative responses in the text boxes, as prompted by USAJobs. Each PTQ and ECQ have a 10,000-character limit (to include spaces) that must be adhered to. Please be sure that your responses include detailed information to support your qualifications related to the PTQs and ECQs. Uploaded documents addressing the PTQs or ECQs will not be accepted. Note: Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating.

All current and former career SES members must provide an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action documenting their status or reinstatement eligibility. Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their Qualification Review Board (QRB) certificate.

Please submit a SF-50 if you are a current federal employee.

NOTE: Submit only the documents requested. Additional documents will not be reviewed by the rating panel. You can choose one of the following methods to submit supporting documents: (1) You can upload your documents when you register or update your information on the Department of Commerce application site, which you access through the USAJobs site; or (2) You can fax your documents to 571-258-4052 using the system-generated fax cover sheet. Your application and all required documentation must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this job announcement. Review your resume and responses carefully. Responses to job questions that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your rating. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

This job is open to

Individuals with disabilities

Senior executives

Those who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to all qualified U.S. Citizens.

By US Department of Commerce

What's up, DOC? At the US Department of Commerce (DOC), the answer to that question could go on for a while. A Cabinet-level department, the DOC is responsible for a variety of key government functions, such as fostering domestic and international...

9 jobs

INDUSTRY

National Agencies

TEAM SIZE

10000+

LOCATION

Hybrid, based in Washington, DC

DATE POSTED

July 25, 2023