Summary This position is in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), Board Operations Division, Administrative Management Branch. PTAB reviews ex parte appeals, reexamination requests, interferences, and proceedings under the America Invents Act. The Administrative Management Branch provides acquisition, budget, finance, and administrative support for PTAB operations. Responsibilities 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 position serves as the Acquisition Program Specialist. This is your next ideal career move if: You have managed acquisitions and procurement planning for equipment, services, and supplies; monitor organizational needs; plan acquisitions; ensure use of appropriate procurement methods; and coordinate with acquisition officials and other stakeholders to support mission requirements. You have developed and maintained processes to monitor contractor performance related to delivery, cost, and progress; identified potential problems, cost overruns, and funding risks; and initiated corrective actions to improve accountability and contract outcomes. You have advised program officials on acquisition planning and strategy by preparing statements of work and related acquisition documentation, analyzing contractor proposals, and supporting solicitation, negotiation, and contract modification activities. You have managed the planning, preparation, and execution of an organization's budget and operating plan by reviewing and revising budget estimates and justification materials, monitoring obligations, expenditures, and funding trends, and ensuring funds are used in accordance with applicable requirements. You have provided analysis and advice on acquisition and budget matters by reviewing contract processes, purchase orders, and purchase card activity, managing automated procurement systems, recommending process improvements, and ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and internal controls. You have served as a liaison and representative on acquisition and budget matters by coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, presenting information in meetings and briefings, providing guidance to leadership, and supporting coordination across acquisition, finance, and program operations. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 General Business and Industry Series 1101 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-13. Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience managing acquisition and contract administration activities for equipment, services, and supplies, including preparing or supporting acquisition documentation, monitoring contractor performance, resolving cost, schedule, or funding issues, and ensuring compliance with applicable acquisition regulations, policies, and internal controls. Experience managing budget formulation and execution for an organization or program, including developing budget estimates and justifications, monitoring obligations and expenditures, preparing or supporting operating plans, and ensuring compliance with financial requirements and funding limitations. Experience providing advisory services to leadership and program officials on acquisition, budget, and administrative matters, including coordinating with multiple stakeholders, recommending process improvements, supporting internal controls, and representing the organization on related issues. 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 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 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. USPTO Job Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should request accommodation(s) from the USPTO at USPTO Reasonable Accommodations. 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).
