Summary

The United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) mission is to promote innovation and competition by providing quality examination and issuance of patent and trademark applications, guiding domestic and international intellectual property policy, and delivering intellectual property information and education worldwide. Through the issuance of patents, the USPTO encourages technological advancement by providing incentives to invent, invest in, and disclose new technology worldwide.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

The public

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

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all groups of qualified individuals.

Duties

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.

The Senior Level Patent Attorney provides expert legal advice to senior USPTO, Department of Commerce, and Administration officials on domestic and international intellectual property policy with emphasis on complex patent issues on the international level.

The incumbent serves as the staff expert on intricate issues associated with such difficult areas as computer-related technology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical data protection, legal and regulatory issues, and patent and industrial design filing and protection issues on the international level.

The Senior Level Patent Attorney also performs the following duties:

Acts as the senior expert on legal and technical developments in the most challenging technological areas of the USPTO, focusing upon the often unique, increasingly multifaceted international patent law arena. Keeps abreast of the latest developments and the emerging legal and technical issues related to patents in a broad range of technologies.
Proposes domestic legislation on substantive patent law and administrative matters that is consistent with Administration goals.
Drafts and reviews, when tasked, complex patent legislative proposals involving the intellectual property law portions of major Administration proposals.
Clears legislative proposals and views through the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of State, the Department of Justice, et al.
Advocates enactment before the private sector, Members of Congress and their staff, particularly when the issues involved are legally or technologically difficult, highly sensitive in nature, and have international ramifications.
Participates in interagency groups and makes presentations to and secures comments from private sector groups.
Participates in, as sole representative of the United States or as the senior expert on a team, bilateral and multilateral negotiations to obtain the Administration's objectives in the foreign policy and trade arenas where particularly sophisticated intellectual property law issues are involved.
Advises other attorneys on the more complex and subtle aspects involved in planning, establishing strategies for, and conducting negotiations of international agreements.
Consults and coordinates with top level officials in other agencies such as the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Department of State, and the International Trade Administration.
Participates in executive planning sessions and panels that establish policies and goals for the USPTO.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen or a National.
Complete a Declaration of Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
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. (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx)
Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) will be required upon appointment and annually.
If this is your first federal appointment, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. Current federal service employees may be given a new appointment, and a new probationary period may be required.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum requirements for a Senior Level position, candidates must be a recognized subject matter expert with directly related experience. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Professional Technical Qualifications for this position in their two-page resume and this experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show the candidate possesses the required subject matter expertise and technical qualifications set forth below.

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.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) related to the position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQS): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQS):

Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. patent law, the legislative process, and patent enforcement frameworks; experienced in advising on domestic and international patent policy matters.

Skilled in drafting and reviewing complex patent documents and briefing high-ranking officials, Members of Congress, international organizations, and stakeholders on sensitive, complex IP issues.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs).

Education

Educational requirement is a law degree and membership in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. A technical degree or equivalent is also required for this position.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.

You may be required to complete the Fair Credit Act Memo.

This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of "Moderate Risk".

Relocation expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.

All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.

USPTO Job Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should request accommodation(s) from the USPTO at http://www.uspto.gov/accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

If you receive a tentative offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

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.

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. 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 via email (oeeo@uspto.gov) or phone (571-272-8292).

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.

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.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) listed above. PTQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Superior applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Required Documents

A complete application consists of all items listed below. Required materials must be submitted by the conclusion of the staffing process. Applications that are incomplete at that time may not be considered.

Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.

1. Resume: All applicants are required to submit a two-page resume (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES). To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Resume should clearly state your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section.
PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.

2. Vacancy Questions/Assessment Questionnaire Responses: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.

3. Education Documentation: For positions with an education requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected and not already on file. See "Education" for more details.

4. Proof of good standing and active membership, or the ability to become an active member prior to start date, of a bar of any state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory;

5. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): Please submit a current SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal Employee. Your status eligibility and highest permanent grade/step/salary held in the Federal service will be validated with a copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action".

6. Veterans' Preference documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility, you will be asked to submit a copy of your DD-214 containing your discharge disposition, dates of service, and rank. If you are a preference eligible claiming a service connected disability of 10 percent or more, you will be asked to submit documentation (i.e. a letter dated 1991 or later from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces) certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation. Veterans must include dates of military service within the automated application process, and submit a copy of each Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214.

Your application and all required documents must be received by 11:59 pm ET on the closing date of this job announcement.

How to Apply

***If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose this information within your application.

You MUST apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

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.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan process.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.

Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) 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 applications material.

Agency contact information

Isis Thomas

Phone

571-272-9307

isis.thomas@uspto.gov

Address

EXRD - Office of Policy and International Affairs
Office of Human Resources
Mail Stop 171
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
US

Next steps

You will receive a notice generated by the USAJobs system when you have successfully submitted your application. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into 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.

You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application."

The four points of notification are:
1. Application Received or Application Incomplete; and 2. Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met; and 3. Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and 4. Selected or Not Selected.

After all application packages have been received, the USPTO will conduct a qualifications evaluation of applicants who submit the required material. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide any supplemental documents or information requested by the Office of Human Resources within the allocated timeframes.

Minimally Acceptable applicants will be rated and ranked by an executive-level rating panel. Superior candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome after the completion of the selection process.

Overview

Accepting applications

Posted this month · Apply by 06/18/26

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 18, 2026

Location

Alexandria, VA

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible

Yes—Situational Telework Program - The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year.

Remote job

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Salary

$151,661 - $209,600 per year

Pay scale & grade

SL 00

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule

Full-time

Travel Required

Not required

Appointment type

Permanent

Occupations and job series

1222 Patent Attorney

Supervisory status

Federal service type

This job is in the Excepted Service

Represented by a union

Drug test

Security clearance

Not Required

Position sensitivity and risk

Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required

Yes

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

EXRD-OPIA-26-12956603 - DE

Control number

869896500

US Patent and Trademark Office jobs

Senior Level Patent Attorney

Never Miss a New Opportunity