Legal Instruments Examiner

USPTO; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

USPTO in Alexandria, Virginia, is seeking a Legal Instrument Examiner to review and analyze legal documents and determine proper fees for patent applications. The role requires onsite work at the Alexandria campus with possible limited telework per agency policy.

You will apply critical thinking to data, ensure compliance with regulations, and communicate with applicants, attorneys, and the public. This position emphasizes accuracy, attention to detail, and accountable fee processing.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience: one full year (52 weeks) at GS-07 or equivalent.
• Experience communicating rules, policies, and notices.
• Experience advising applicants, attorneys, examiners, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze legal documents to determine applicable fees.
• Analyze applications and related documents including amendments and petitions.
• Calculate fees and prepare fee determinations.
• Identify and correct information in the IDS as needed.
• Use automated systems to research, evaluate, and process applications.

Skills

Legal document analysis

Oral and written communication

Attention to detail

Education

GS-7 Federal qualification

Job description

Imagine starting your career as a Legal Instrument Examiner working in an office that is on the cutting edge of planning, developing, implementing and evaluating all initiatives needed to support the examination of patent applications throughout the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This position is waiting for you to bring your technical expertise to our agency.

Telework

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.

Duties

The individual selected for this position will…

• Review and analyze legal documents to determine the appropriate fees to be charged.
• Perform an extensive review and analysis of applications and related legal documents including amendments, applications for power of attorney, petitions, requests for continued examination and other associated requirements.
• Calculate fees in accordance with appropriate fee schedules, prepares fee determination record, and charges the authorized applicant or attorney.
• Determine the appropriate type of information Disclosure Statement (IDS) completed and identifies and corrects inaccurate or incomplete information and data.
• Apply critical thinking skills to utilize automated systems to research, evaluate and process applications efficiently and accurately.

Qualifications

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 Clerical and Administrative Positions.

Specialized Experienceis 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, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Communicating information both orally and in writing while preparing notices and correspondence on applicable rules, legal requirements, and policies.
• Analyzing legal documents for completeness of information and compliance with regulations and procedures.
• Providing guidance to applicants, attorneys, patent examiners, and the public regarding applicable rules, legal requirements, policies, and procedures.

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

As a general rule, education is not creditable above GS-5 for most positions covered by this standard; however, graduate education may be credited in those few instances where the graduate education is directly related to the work of the position.

If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to General Schedule Qualification Policies for more information. You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

Conditions for Employment

Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals and your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies. If selected, you will be required to pass a background investigation.

The full list of conditions and qualifications can be found on the USAJOBS posting.

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 sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, retaliation for engaging in protected activity, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factors.