About the Position: This position is located with the HQ Communications Electronics Command, U.S. Army Materiel Command Legal Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. If you are currently serving in a permanent, competitive service appointment in the Federal service, and are selected for this position, the appointment will remove you from the competitive service while you occupy this position.

Duties

Supervises and coordinates operating functions pertaining to patents and other intellectual property, primarily in such fields as electronics, mechanical engineering, chemistry, computers, and the physical sciences. Advises concerning patents and data as they apply to various functional areas, particularly to research and development. Conducts research and makes recommendations as to the exclusion of inventions from specific contracts. Initiates rights determination proceedings, and drafts recommendations as to legal rights of civilian and military personnel in their inventions. Serves as first line supervisor for a group of employees engaged primarily in furnishing legal and technical advice in matters pertaining to the procurement mission as they relate to intellectual property, warranties and unsolicited proposals. Directs the review, coordination and analysis of highly complex and controversial contractual, technical and policy issues that require extensive research and evaluation of laws, regulations, expert testimony and other types of evidence. Evaluates work performance and provides periodic career and performance counseling for employees and prepares performance appraisals.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A two year trial/probationary period may be required.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance for access for the duration of employment.
• This position may require the incumbent to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R.
• This position requires the incumbent to maintain an active bar membership that permits the representation of the Federal Government in the courts of their jurisdiction to the extent that private practice attorneys are able to for their clients.
• This position requires admission to the USPTO Patent Bar.
• This position is subject to a Temporary Duty or business travel requirement of 10% or less of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Current and former Federal employees and US Citizens. Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on the extent to which their application shows possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. KSA's: Skill in identifying and researching highly technical and complex legal issues. Skill in providing legal, technical, and policy guidance. Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs. Ability to supervise or lead others. Qualification Requirements: The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: 1) Education: Assignments require the first professional law degree (Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctorate (J.D.)). Applicants for initial appointment into attorney positions must be graduates of law schools accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of the applicant's graduation. The Army General Counsel may make an exception upon a showing that a candidate possesses superior qualifications and that no well-qualified candidates from accredited law schools are available. 2) Bar Membership: Applicants must be active members in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of a State, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 3) U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Registration: Applicant must be a registered U.S. Patent Attorney with a license to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 4) Professional Legal Experience: Applicants must possess more than 3 years of professional legal experience after admission to the bar commensurate with the duties of the position. 5) Time in Grade (current Federal employees): Candidates selected for advancement will normally have completed at least one year of service that is one grade lower than the position to be filled. The selecting official may request a waiver of the one year requirement in cases where hardship or inequity exists. NOTICE OF VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of the Defense considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty") to their submissions. Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference", and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with the list of the types of 10-point preference. The SF 15 is available from the OPM at https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/.

Education

Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute education for experience. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. Department of Education websites at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications and http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

Contacts

• Address AG-APF-W4GVAA USA HQ COMM ELECT CMD DO NOT MAIL Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk