Duties
As a Full Performance Patent Attorney, You Will
- Review proposed DOE regulations, policies and procedures and make comments or suggested changes at the request of the Deputy Chief Counsel.
- Advise top management regarding intellectual property rights matters related to DOE contracts and subcontracts.
- Review proposals and proposed statements of work to ascertain appropriate intellectual property provisions for inclusion in any resulting contract.
- Contribute to DOE's Technology Transfer Working Group (TTWG) and/or DOE's Technology Transfer Policy Board on issues of DOE-wide significance in the areas of intellectual property and technology transfer.
- Interpret and apply intellectual property provisions in DOE contracts and technology transfer agreements, and communicate intellectual property provisions to DOE contractors and partners.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a United States Citizen.
- This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
- If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
- If selected, you may be required to complete a one year trial period.
- Obtain and maintain a Q security clearance. Failure to obtain and maintain the required security clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
- GS-13 and above, if selected, you will be required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential
- If selected, you must self-identify if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a Schedule A, Schedule C, or non-career SES political appointee as OPM approval is required prior to finalizing your selection.
- Proof of current active member in good standing in the bar of a State, District of Columbia, territory of the United States, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
- Employees must maintain active bar membership while employed as an attorney with DOE.
- This position is NOT included in a Bargaining Agreement.
- Proof of registration to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
- This position requires a completed 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.
- This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant and random drug testing.
- This position does not support 100% remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 2 days per pay period.
Qualifications
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-14 Qualifications:
- Three years of professional (attorney) legal experience and active membership in a state or District of Columbia bar and advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform complex legal work.; AND
- One additional year of professional (attorney) experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at a level of difficulty comparable to the GS-13 level in the Federal service.
GS-13 Qualifications
- One year of professional (attorney) legal experience and active membership in a state or District of Columbia bar and advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform complex legal work.; AND
- One additional year of professional (attorney) experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at a level of difficulty comparable to the GS-12 level in the Federal service.
GS-12 Qualifications:
- One year of professional (attorney) legal experience and active membership in a state or District of Columbia bar and advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform complex legal work. The educational background should include course work beyond the first professional degree in a field directly related to the work for which he/she is being considered.
GS-11 Qualifications:
- Advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform legal work and active membership in a state or District of Columbia bar. The educational background should include course work beyond the first professional degree in a field directly related to the work for which he/she is being considered.
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.
Education
Attorney positions do have an education requirement.
ALL Candidates must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree; OR
- Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree.
For Positions With An Education Requirement, You MUST Submit
- A copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.; AND
- You must provide proof of bar or your bar number.
For the
Patent Attorney series candidates, you 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.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information
The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
- Your position may be eligible for workplace flexibilities which may include telework options, and/or flexible work scheduling. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with the DOE Workplace Flexibilities policy.
- New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit
- Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the
- If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the
- More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
- Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
- A trial period of up to 2 years for the purpose of assessing the ability of an individual to adequately perform in an attorney position will be established for appointments under these authorities. Previous Federal experience in like positions MAY count toward the completion of this requirement.
- Your performance appraisal and incentive awards will be given due consideration in the selection process based on their relation to the duties of the position and the consistency with which they may be considered in evaluating you against other candidates.
- Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available.
- EEO Policy:
- Reasonable Accommodation Policy:
- Veterans Information:
- Selective Service Registration:
- The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at
- 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.
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.
