Member of the Trademarks Opposition Board (Extended)

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 specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Update: Please note, this process has been extended until April 14, 2020.

Work environment

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is looking for talented individuals to join the Trademarks Opposition Board (TMOB). Could that be you? You would be the ideal candidate if you are knowledgeable and experienced in applying provisions of the Trademarks Act, the Trademark Regulations and CIPO’s practice notices, bear excellent judgment, and demonstrate solid analytical thinking.

As a Member of the TMOB, you will work alongside specialsts in trademark law in respect to opposition and section 45 proceedings, within an environment which offers an unparalleled work life balance.

Here are the main tasks that you would perform:
Members have delegated authority under subsection 63(3) of the Trademarks Act from the Registrar to conduct hearings and render quasi-judicial decisions pursuant to the Trademarks Act and Trademarks Regulations with respect to three types of proceedings: opposition proceedings, objection proceedings and section 45 proceedings. Members also render interlocutory rulings during proceedings.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff 2 positions for an indeterminate period.

A pool of fully or partially qualified candidates may be created and may be used to staff similar positions at the PM-06 group and level with various tenures and various linguistic profiles within Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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

Education
A degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in a relevant field

Degree equivalency

Experience
- EX1 – Significant* experience in researching and analyzing legal information

- EX2 - Significant* experience in interpreting and applying jurisprudence** to facts and legal submissions/arguments

- EX3 - Significant* experience in one of the following:
a) in writing legal opinions
b) in preparing written submissions to quasi-judicial tribunals or boards
c) in writing or drafting legally binding decisions

* Significant experience means rich and diversified experience normally acquired during the performance of tasks over two (2) years
** Decisions issued by courts, tribunals, boards or other quasi-judicial bodies

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

Various language requirements
- English essential
- Bilingual imperative CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

Knowledge
- K1 - Knowledge of trademarks reference documents such as the Trademarks Act, Trademarks Regulations, relevant jurisprudence and Trademarks Opposition Board practice notices
- K2 - Knowledge of the principles of administrative law as they apply in quasi-judicial proceedings
- K3 - Knowledge of the international Trademarks treaties (Madrid Protocol, Singapore Treaty and Nice Agreement)

Competencies
- C1 - Effective communication (written and oral)
- C2 - Decision making
- C3 - Analytical thinking
- C4 - Judgment
- C5 - Attention to detail
- C6 - Relationship management and collaboration
- C7 - Results orientation

Abilities
- A1 - Ability to draft rulings

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

Education
- AEDU1 - Law degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution
- AEDU2 - Registration as a trademark agent
- AEDU3 - Member of the Bar or the Chamber of notaries

Degree equivalency

Experience
- AEX1 - Work experience in the field of trademark law or regulation
- AEX2 - Experience in appearing before or conducting hearings at administrative tribunals
- AEX3 - Significant* experience in two (2) of the following:
a) in writing legal opinions
b) in preparing written submissions to quasi-judicial tribunals or boards
c) in writing or drafting legally binding decisions
* Significant experience means rich and diversified experience normally acquired during the performance of tasks over two (2) years

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Operational Requirements
- Consent to work overtime occasionally
- Willingness to travel occasionally

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

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 designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

1) Only online applications will be accepted. All job applications must therefore be submitted through the Public Service Resourcing System.

2) A written exam will be administered: Drafting a Trademark opposition decision.

3) An interview may be administered.

4) Reference checks may be sought. Please provide the contact information of 2 direct supervisors.

5) It is the candidate's responsibility to clearly demonstrate in their application, with concrete examples, how they meet each screening criteria (education and experience for both the essential qualifications and the asset qualifications). Failure to do so may result in your application being eliminated from further consideration. It is NOT SUFFICIENT to only state that the qualifications are met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Rather you must clearly demonstrate HOW, WHEN, and WHERE the qualification was met through substantiation by examples. Information on your described experience, etc. provided in the screening questions should be supported by your résumé.

6) Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications.

7) Indeterminate employees at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for deployment or appointment. If no deployment or appointment at the same level is made, applicants from other groups and levels will be considered in the advertised appointment process.

8) You must provide proof of your education credentials.

9) 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.

10) Our intention is to communicate with the candidates by email. Candidates who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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