Associate Trade Mark Examiner Level 1
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
The Associate Trade Mark Examiner level 1 role is the first stage in IPONZ’s structured trade mark examiner training programme. Trainees are expected to progress to the next stage of their training (Associate Trade Mark Examiner level 2) within 12 to 18 months.
Associate Trade Mark Examiners train and work under supervision as they build their skills in the examination of applications for trade marks through the application of relevant legislation (the Trade Marks Act 2002 and Trade mark Regulations 2003), practice and policies, case law and international treaties to determine the registrability of the trade mark. Associates are actively mentored and coached as they develop their knowledge, skills, and experience.
Under IPONZ’s Trade Mark Examiner Training Programme, an Associate Trade Mark Examiner Level 1 has the option to apply for progression to Associate Trade Mark Examiner Level 2 in the IPONZ progression rounds held in April and October each year. Provided they meet the necessary criteria and competencies they will be promoted to Associate Trade Mark Examiner Level 2 (the final stage of trade mark examiner training).
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- Picks up on technical theories quickly; can learn new skills and knowledge.
- Ability to search specialist databases and conduct independent research.
- Ability to be flexible and agile.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Emotional intelligence.
- Effective decision making and time management skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team and on your own.
Qualifications
- Tertiary qualification or comparable relevant experience.
- Has the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Trade Marks Examination
- Examination meets agreed quantity and quality standards, and complies with business processes.
- Demonstrates a basic understanding of trade mark legislation, case law, and examination practice.
- Prioritises own work queue to ensure timely completion of allocated work.
- Maintains effective communication with Team Leader (and/or assigned mentor), to ensure workloads are balanced and achievable.
- Communicates effectively with clients to provide information regarding the trade mark examination process.
- Use of the IPONZ case management facility and other examination tools, such overseas trade mark office databases.
Examine trade mark applications to assess compliance with the Trade Marks Act 2002 and the Trade Marks Regulations 2003; and in accordance with the delegated functions of the Commissioner (Trade marks Act 2002, sections 175A & 175C). Examination is under supervision and includes:
- Drafting and issuing examination reports, and accepting trade mark applications.
- Providing search and preliminary advice (S&PA) advice to assist the requestor in determining the merits of filing a trade mark application.
- Assessing responses to examination reports (including proposed amendments and arguments).
- Re-examination in relation to less complex examination issues.
- Other duties and responsibilities relating to the register of trade marks.
Contributing positively to the Team and IPONZ
- Works co-operatively and effectively with others towards achieving Trade Mark Team and IPONZ goals.
- Participates in team discussions.
- Supports colleagues.
- Listens and is respectful of other team members.
- Participates in organisational processes.
- Participates in organised individual or team learning activities.
- Contributing effectively to the team’s development of positions, perspectives, approaches, and advice.
Self-Management
- Models’ positive behaviours.
- Models the desired values and culture of the organisation.
- Acts with honesty and integrity.
- Welcomes feedback and is receptive to input from others.
Wellbeing, health & safety
- Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
- Ensures own and others safety at all times.
- Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
- Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
- Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry
The Associate 1 Trade Mark position reports into the Team Leader, Trade Marks in IPONZ, within the Business Consumer branch. The branch sits within the Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery group.
To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand
Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.
To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.
As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
Ngā matatau – Our competencies
Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.
Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.
Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.
Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.
Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.
Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.
Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.
What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission
