Hearing Officer

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

- For more information about the basics of assessment accommodation, please visit the following link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/assessment-accommodation-page/the-basics-of-assessment-accommodation.html

Duties

The Hearing Officer reports directly to the Chairperson of the Trademark Opposition Board (TMOB). The main responsibilities for this position include presiding Section 45 hearings, rendering final decisions on trademark matters pursuant to the Trademarks Act, issuing interlocutory decision and managing procedural matters.

Work environment

At ISED we foster a healthy, modern, diverse and inclusive workplace. Our efforts to create and maintain an outstanding workplace have been recognized. 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.  

As a Best Diversity Employer, ISED values and recognizes employees for their unique qualities, ideas, voices, and perspectives. We are committed to supporting the success and continued development of all employees regardless of race, ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic background or lived experience. By embracing diversity and inclusion, our department ensures broader discussions, better decisions, and a more positive workplace. 

ISED is transitioning to a hybrid work environment to leverage the best of both in-person and virtual work to deliver results. To foster a dynamic environment for purposeful in-person connections, most employees will be working part time at their designated ISED worksite on a weekly basis, and the remainder of the time from their telework location. Generally, employees in a hybrid job can anticipate working from their designated ISED location from two to three days per week. However, given the nature of this job, it can be considered for full-time TELEWORK.   

Who are we?

CIPO is a special operating agency of ISED. We are located at promenade du Portage, Gatineau, Quebec (walking distance to downtown Ottawa). The building is located in downtown Gatineau, with restaurants and boutiques close by. There is also easy access to public transportation and various paid parking options available. Like to exercise? There are two gyms close by, as well as some great walking and biking trails.

Intent of the process

This process is anticipatory. A pool of fully or partially qualified candidates may be created and may be used to staff similar positions at the PM-04 group and level with various tenures and various linguistic profiles within Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

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:
- Baccalaureate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in Law or another relevant field OR Licensed Trademark Agent

NOTE: At the manager’s discretion a University certificate in Law or another relevant field may serve as an alternative to a baccalaureate degree

Degree equivalency

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

- Two 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 CBC/CBC

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

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
- Licensed Trademark Agent
- Member of the Bar or the Chamber of notaries

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE:
- Five years work experience in the field of trademark law
- Experience in appearing before or conducting hearings at administrative tribunals

ISED is committed to employment equity (EE). In order to achieve a representative workforce, selection may be based on qualified candidates self-declaring as being a member of one or more of the following EE groups: Indigenous person (First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit), a person with a disability, a racialized person, or a woman. 

Appointments of members of these EE groups ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of the Canadian public we serve. 

Information on employment equity

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Consent to work overtime occasionally

Conditions of employment

Reliability 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) If you are not able to apply online, please contact the person below for assistance.

2) A written exam will be administered: Drafting a Section 45 decision (Trademark expungement).

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 or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed. Meeting one or many of the other 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.

7) Indeterminate employees at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for deployment or appointment.

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).

11) 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.

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.