Member of the Opposition Board

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

- If you have questions, need accommodations, or are not able to apply online, please use the Contact information below! We will be glad to help. If you prefer to speak on the phone, please include that request in your email, along with your contact information.

Duties

DUTIES:
- 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.

Work environment

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is proud to be named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers 2022, National Capital Region’s Top Employer 2022, and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers 2022. These awards recognize Canadian employers with exceptional human resources programs, forward-thinking workplace policies, and exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.

ISED’s goal is to transition to a hybrid work environment where we can enjoy flexibility, bring people together to create a healthy and inclusive workplace, and fulfill our operational requirements.

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 specialists in trademark law in respect to opposition and section 45 proceedings, within an environment which offers an unparalleled work life balance. Telework may be considered.

Intent of the process

Anticipatory staffing. A pool of qualified candidates may be established to staff similar positions with various language requirements and various tenures (indeterminate, term, deployment, acting, secondment or assignment) within Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:
- A degree or certificate from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Law or other relevant field

NOTE:
- Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
- Five years experience in interpreting and applying jurisprudence (decisions issued by courts, tribunals, boards or other quasi-judicial bodies) to facts and legal submissions/arguments

EXPERIENCE:
- Five years experience in one of the following:
a) in writing legal opinions
b) in preparing written submissions to courts, quasi-judicial tribunals, or boards
c) in writing or drafting court, quasi-judicial tribunal, or board decisions
d) in working in the field of Trademarks

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

COMPETENCIES:
- Effective communication (written and oral)
- Decisiveness
- Analytical thinking
- Judgment
- Thoroughness
- Self-sufficient
- Planning and organizing

ABILITIES
- Ability to draft rulings

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

ASSET EDUCATION:
- Law degree from a recognized university

NOTE:
- Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE:
- Registration as a trademark agent

ASSET EXPERIENCE:
- Member of the Bar or the Chamber of notaries

ASSET EXPERIENCE:
- Five years work experience in the field of trademark law or regulations

ASSET EXPERIENCE:
- Experience in appearing before or conducting hearings at administrative tribunals

At ISED, diversity is our strength. If you are a woman, an Indigenous person (First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit), a person with a disability or a racialized person, please let us know by completing the Employment Equity (EE) section in your application. Appointments of members of these EE groups ensure our workforce is inclusive and representative of the Canadian public we serve.

Information on employment equity

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Consent to work overtime occasionally
- Willingness to travel occasionally

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- The Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police requires you to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and that you attest to your vaccination status prior to the date of your appointment unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act

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

OTHER INFORMATION:
- A written exam will be administered.
- Interviews will be conducted.
- Reference checks will be conducted.
- A simulation/situational exercise/role play may be used for assessment.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.
Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

Meeting one or many of the Asset qualifications may be a deciding factor in appointing a particular candidate amongst the qualified candidates. Please note that one, some or all of the Asset qualifications could be used at any stage of the staffing process.

Candidates invited to an interview will be required to bring proof of their education credentials, in the form of a diploma or official transcript.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

You MUST clearly demonstrate in writing how you meet the Language, Education, and Experience requirements. Please provide examples and describe the work/duties you have performed. Failure to do so may result in your application not being considered further during the screening process.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required; Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

If you have questions, need accommodations, or are not able to apply online, please use the contact information below! We will be glad to help. If you prefer to speak on the phone, please include that request in your email, along with your contact information.

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service. As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation.

We will accept applications on-line only. All job applications must therefore be submitted through the Public Service Resourcing System. Following are some of the benefits associated with applying on-line. Applicants can create a profile and a resume that can be used when applying for other processes without having to recreate a new application each time. Applicants can modify their application/resume at any time BEFORE the closing date indicated on the job advertisement.

Applicants can verify the status of their applications, at any time. Applicants can be notified electronically of tests or interviews and results. For some jobs, applicants will find important information, namely the job questionnaire and a complete statement of merit criteria that are only available when applying on-line. To submit an application on-line, please select the button “Apply Online” below. Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Thank you / Merci / Ekosani / Miigwech / Meegwetch / Mahseecho / Mutna / Wopida / Hei Hei / Marci Cho / ᖁᐊᓇᖅᑯᑎᑦ / Quanaqqutit / ᓇᑯᕐᒦᒃ (Nakurmik) / Nakummek / Qujannamiik / Qujanaq / Kukwstsétsemc / Woliwon / Woliwun / Wela’lin.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, 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.