Job Description
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
- Collaborating with the USPTO, attorneys, liaisons, foreign associates and staff
- Extracting relevant IP information from official USPTO and other jurisdictional databases and correspondence
- Generating docket reports, performing IP docketing, and tracking deadlines
- Entering new U.S. Provisional, Continuation, Utility, Design, CIP, Opposition, Divisional, and re-examination files into database
- Assisting attorneys with patent filing by resolving discrepancies, errors, and omissions
- Maintaining IP records and reviewing files
- Processing incoming/outgoing correspondence
Education and Experience:
- Paralegal Certificate or degree required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
- State-approved accredited paralegal certification
- 5-10 years of experience combined with U.S. and foreign patent filings.
- A minimum of five years of experience in patent docketing and prosecution administration
Required Skills/Competencies:
- Solid knowledge of U.S. and international patent filing procedures and rules.
- Solid skills in Microsoft Office.
- In-house experience preferred but not required.
Essential Responsibilities
- Responsible for preparing, negotiating, and tracking (email and database) non-disclosure agreements with third parties under the supervision of an attorney.
- Maintain docketing of U.S. applications and related prosecution.
- Assist attorney(s) with the filing of U.S. patent applications and related prosecution.
- Maintain and track expense submissions, billing, and other related corporate matters.
- Notarize various IP legal documents.
Reporting Relationships:
- This position will report to the Chief Counsel, Intellectual Property
- This position will not have direct reports.
Travel:
- Limited travel is required.
Estimated Salary Range:
- $64,000 – $90,000 Annual Salary Range
US Physical Requirements:
Office Physical Requirements:
All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.
Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check band any other tests that may be required.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.