Take your leadership career to the next level by overseeing the operations and support services behind patent examination at the USPTO. This role offers the opportunity to influence policy, modernize processes, and partner with senior leaders to shape the future of patent operations.
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 here. 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-14. Specialized experience for this position includes: Leading complex programs or projects, including planning work, setting priorities, and monitoring results. Analyzing program or operational performance and developing recommendations for improvement. Advising senior leaders through written or oral briefings, analyses, or recommendations. 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.
The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is a requirement for this role as this position 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. As the Director of Patent Examination Support Services, the incumbent provides strategic leadership and oversight for mission-critical operations that support patent examination across the USPTO. In this role, the incumbent performs the following duties: Builds and mentors high-performing teams, develops staff through training, performance management, and career-growth opportunities to deliver mission-critical patent support services. Drives operational transformation, applies process-reengineering, automation, and data-driven approaches to improve quality, productivity, and timeliness across complex workflows. Partners across organizations and presents to senior leadership, uses collaborative influence to align stakeholders, resolves high-impact issues, and advances organizational goals. Manages strategic resource stewardship, including budgeting, forecasting, and reallocating investments to maximize efficiency and achieve program objectives.