Human Resources Specialist (Executive Resources)

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia, seeks a Human Resources Specialist to support recruiting, staffing and executive-level advisory services.

The role involves providing guidance on policies, participating in ERB/PRB activities, and ensuring compliant staffing actions for senior executives. Applicants should be able to interpret federal HR regulations, advise senior leaders, and coordinate assessments and personnel actions.

Qualifications

• Experience interpreting and applying federal HR policies and recruitment standards.
• Ability to provide advisory services to senior executives and managers on personnel actions and related processes.
• Familiarity with ED/OPM qualification standards and USA Hire assessments.

Responsibilities

• Support Executive Review Board (ERB) and Performance Review Board (PRB) activities.
• Provide recruitment and placement guidance for executive level positions.
• Assist in coordinating policy interpretation and guidance for staffing and examinations.

Skills

Recruitment guidance

Executive level advisory

Policy interpretation

HR advisory

Job description

Summary

Are you looking to join an agency that celebrates, supports and thrives on building the bridge that ensures intellectual property (IP) rights are accessible to everyone? Our HR Specialists are able to make meaningful change within the IP Community by ensuring the hiring of a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Duties

THE VACANCY CLOSING DATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026.
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 rewarding opportunity is the ideal next career step for you if:

• You're committed to assisting members of the team and participating in the conduct of assigned portions of complex projects and studies that are broad in scope and/or critically impact the resolution of senior executive-level operational issues and problems.


• You have experience providing insight into recruitment and placement guidance and policies, processes, and procedures for executive level positions, as well as interpretations on assigned segments of recruitment and placement consistency issues.


• You are eager to participate in providing technical and administrative support and advice to the Executive Review Board (ERB) and Performance Review Board (PRB).

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.


• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.


• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.


• You are required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.


• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).


• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.


• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.


• You must be suitable for Federal Employment.


• You must meet time-in-grade/band requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current Federal employee applying as a VEOA eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band.
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 OPM Qualifications Standards for Administrative and Management Positions.
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 GS-12 position includes:

• Experience in interpreting and applying federal laws, regulations, executive orders, concepts, principles, practices, and procedures applicable to recruiting, staffing, and examining of senior executive level positions, including drafting crediting plans, conducting minimum qualification analysis, issuing certificates of eligibles, processing personnel actions, etc.


• Experience in providing in-depth advisory services to senior level executives and managers on position management, position classification, performance management, awards administration, and policy.


• Experience in providing technical advice, administrative support to assist in the planning and facilitation of the Executive Review Board (ERB) and Performance Review Board (PRB).

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.

Education

Education may not be substituted for specialized experience at this grade level.

Additional information

Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current Federal employee applying as a VEOA eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band.
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 Moderate.
Background Investigation - If selected for this position, you will 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 the Department of Homeland Security Website.
All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.
CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a \"well qualified\" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: OPM CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement.
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.
All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 window Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our 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.