Chief Communications Officer

Summary The United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) is headquartered in Alexandria, VA. The mission of the USPTO is to promote innovation and competitiveness by providing quality and timely examination and issuance of patent and trademark applications, guiding domestic and international intellectual property policy, and delivering intellectual property information and education worldwide. 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. All applicants will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). If your two-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and PTQs, you will not receive further consideration for the position. For more information regarding the SES and ECQs, please visit the Executive Core Qualifications page. The Chief Communications Officer serves as the primary media contact, in the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The incumbent is responsible for ensuring effective communication with the press in order to articulate the missions and priorities of the USPTO. The incumbent will reflect the Deputy Under Secretary and the Under Secretary's philosophies in conversation with leading figures of the government, business, and other groups. The Chief Communications Officer is responsible for executing an integrated strategic communications plan that advances the USPTO's brand identity; broadens awareness of its programs and priorities; and increases the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences. This includes ensuring impactful internal and external-facing communications across delivery platforms and including social media. Other major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Advises the Under Secretary through the Deputy Under Secretary on matters of immediate interest and concern, and on developments which warrant the Under Secretary's cognizance and affect the direction of USPTO for planning purposes. Keeps abreast of items of interest to the Under Secretary, including internal USPTO developments, White House position statements, the status of legislation, and major USPTO activities reported to the public and private sectors. Prepares and coordinates necessary press briefing material for the Under Secretary and other officials of the USPTO. Presents the views of the Under Secretary in correspondence and other communication with agency managers and program officials. Directs development of short and long-range planning of activities and programs for the Office consistent with the USPTO's Strategic Plan and the priorities of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property, and implementing the same. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) related to this 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. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. PTQ 1: Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge and expertise in strategic communications planning and execution, including stakeholder outreach, education, national partnerships and development. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of how to support, facilitate, coordinate and lead high-level engagements with community Intellectual Property and stakeholder leaders at the local, state and Federal levels, providing resources, information, programs and services that benefit and encourage growth of our innovation-based economy. This includes ability to communicate effectively and effortlessly through public speaking. PTQ 2: Demonstrated expertise with program and administrative management. Demonstrated abilities to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others and in teams working toward common goals. Demonstrated abilities to resolve conflicts. Excellent communication skills in keeping leadership informed as issues arise and higher-level decisions are needed. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and PTQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. For more information regarding the SES and ECQs, please visit the Executive Core Qualifications page. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. Education There is no education requirement for this position. Additional Information This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position. Except as prohibited by law, all applicants tentatively selected for positions needing a Top-Secret Clearance will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and, if appointed, the incumbent will be subjected to random drug testing procedures. The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement. Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Tiering: The Department/Agency structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department/Agency. This position falls within Tier I of USPTO's structure. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) 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. 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.The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, 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).