Director General and Assistant Commissioner of Patents

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

Work environment

The Director General and Assistant Commissioner of Patents, is the federal government's most senior public servant in the patent field. This position is accountable for the administration of the Patent Act in Canada. It is responsible for overseeing a team of approximately 550 highly skilled professionals; for providing services to Canadian and international clients; for directing the receipt and examination of patent applications, as well as international applications submitted under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT); for providing leadership on decisions concerning the issuance of patents and on administrative aspects of the Patent Act and Rules, including significant revenue collection; for initiating and directing the development of changes to Canada's patent administrative policy and legislative framework, including the Patent Act and Rules; for providing the vision and leadership in change management, including regulatory change, and efficient process, IT systems and quality improvements, required for a modern patent system in Canada; for building relationships with clients, and national and international stakeholders on legislative, regulatory and policy change, and international harmonization initiatives related to patents; and for representing Canada at international meetings and fora.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates may be created and used to staff other similar EX-03 positions within Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and its portfolio.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 5,000 words (maximum)

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates must clearly demonstrate IN THEIR COVER LETTER how they meet the education and experience factors listed in the essential qualifications AND asset qualifications. Candidates must use the education and experience factors as a header and then write one or two paragraphs demonstrating how they meet them with concrete examples. Please note it is not sufficient to only state that the qualification is met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Candidates must meet all of the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position. Please note that resumes may be used as a secondary source to validate the experience described in the cover letter. Failure to provide this information in the requested format may result in your application being rejected. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.

EDUCATION

Graduation with a degree* from a recognized post-secondary institution**.

* Degree: A baccalaureate or higher level degree, as established by educational authorities.

** Recognized post-secondary institution: Public or private institution that has been given authority to grant degrees, diplomas, and other credentials by a public or private act of a provincial/territorial legislature or through a government-mandated quality assurance mechanism. For greater certainty, also included are institutions authorized to grant specific academic credentials for specific academic programs. It is the candidate's responsibility to demonstrate that the degree/program held has been approved by a "recognized" Canadian post-secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

1) Experience* in managing in a regulatory environment.

2) Experience* in leading, developing and implementing complex initiatives, programs or strategies.

3) Experience* in collaborating and maintaining partnerships with the private sector, and/or other internal and external stakeholders.

4) Experience* in managing complex human** and financial*** resources.

* Experience is understood to mean the depth and breadth of the experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of complex activities related to this task, which are normally acquired over a period of a least two (2) consecutive years at the Senior Director level (EX-02) or equivalent level or above.

** Human resources management: Applicants must clearly demonstrate they have recruited and supervised staff, assigned work, managed and assessed performance and developed staffing plans at the Senior Director level (EX-02) or equivalent level or above. Applicants must indicate the number of staff they have supervised.

*** Management of financial resources: Applicants must show evidence of managing and being accountable for a budget for two (2) complete fiscal years at the Senior Director level (EX-02) or equivalent level or above. This experience is defined as being responsible for sound financial planning, forecasting and reporting. Applicants must also indicate the size of the budget they managed directly.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Bilingual - Imperative (CBC/CBC)

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE

1) Knowledge of current Government priorities and their impact on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.

2) Knowledge of the intellectual property system, laws and regulations in Canada and globally.

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Create Vision and Strategy
Mobilize People
Uphold Integrity and Respect
Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders
Promote Innovation and Guide Change
Achieve Results

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

EDUCATION

Master’s degree or Ph.D. from a recognized university in science or engineering or a degree in law.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

1) Experience in the field of Intellectual Property and the application of Intellectual Property legislation.

2) Experience in leading the development of legislative or regulatory initiatives in a domestic or international context.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Willingness and availability to work overtime.

Willingness and availability to travel.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Reference checks will be sought.

An interview will be administered.

A written examination may be administered.

Various assessment tools may be used.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

Please note that asset qualifications may be invoked at any time during the process.

Please note that an assignment agreement via Interchange Canada may be used to staff temporarily the position.

A top-down screening approach may be undertaken. Applicants who meet the essential experience criteria may be ranked according to the depth and breadth of experience they possess. Only the top ranking candidates may be invited to the assessment phase of the process. A cut-off score may also be used at any stage of assessment.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

Please identify clearly your substantive group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application form.

If you have a Personal Record Identifier (PRI), please include in your application.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Our intention is to communicate with candidates via e-mail. Candidates who apply on this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users. It is the candidate's responsibility to provide any changes to their personal information to the contact indicated on this job advertisement.

Those selected for an interview should be prepared to provide the names of their referees (2 supervisors, 2 peers, 2 subordinates). Some or all of these individuals may be contacted. Referees must have an in-depth knowledge of your work, and must be able to answer specific questions pertaining to your achievements and strengths.

You will also be required to provide proof of education credentials, in the form of a diploma or official transcript. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Please consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.

For information on the New Key Leadership Competencies, please visit the following website: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/psm-fpfm/learning-apprentissage/pdps-ppfp/klc-ccl/klcp-pccl-eng.asp.

For information on preparing for an EX appointment process, please visit http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/sas-sde/ex/pexap-ppnvpc-eng.htm.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.