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Air Traffic Control Specialist - Trainee

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Business Component:

Air Traffic Organization - ATO

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/07/2017 to 07/14/2017
Salary
$23,547 to - $29,450 per year

This salary includes locality pay which will be applicable while attending the FAA ATC Academy.

Pay scale & grade
FG 1
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
FAA - Air Traffic Locations, United States
Many vacancies
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Temporary NTE - Temporary NTE - 13 months
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
FAA-ATO-17-ALLSRCE-53474
Control number
473871400

This job is open to

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Duties

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  • This is a developmental Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) position responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of air traffic through the nation's airspace. Developmental controllers receive a wide range of training in controlling and separating live air traffic within designated airspace at and around an airport traffic control tower or radar approach control facility, or air route traffic control center.

  • As a new ATCS, you will spend your first several weeks of employment in an intensive training program at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK. While attending academy training you will be on a temporary appointment. Academy students receive basic air traffic control training at the FAA Academy, which includes:

    • Complete occupational indoctrination including highlights of Federal employment, familiarization with organizational structure & functions, aircraft, air traffic control system, & aviation industry, classroom instruction & workshop exercises relating to the air traffic control system.

  • Individuals who do not successfully complete training at the FAA Academy and all other necessary requirements will have their employment terminated.

  • Prior failure of FAA Academy training or prior declination of permanent facility placement offer after completing Academy training may constitute a basis for non-selection and/or veterans' preference pass over.

  • Upon successful completion of the Academy initial training program & other employment requirements, newly hired ATCS's will be offered a permanent appointment at an FAA facility with a basic salary of $38,575, plus applicable locality pay based on facility assignment. Applicants with prior ATC experience will have their salary set in accordance with the ATCS Collective Bargaining Agreement, upon conversion.

  • ATCS's will be paid long term expense rate (per diem) for Oklahoma City, OK to help offset daily cost of living while attending FAA Academy. FAA will pay for cost of travel in accordance with applicable agency policies.

  • As an ATCS you will receive pay increases as you successfully complete the progressive phases of controller training at your assigned facility. The FAA has Air Traffic Control Facilities in every state as well as Puerto Rico, The U. S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. This announcement is open to those applicants willing to work at any FAA Air Traffic Control Facility. Applicant geographic area preferences are for informational purposes only and will not be used in the selection process; however, preferences may be considered at time of placement. Facility placements will be finalized the day following successful completion of Academy training. Declining to select a facility from the list of available facilities will result in termination of employment, as placement will be based upon the needs of the FAA.

  • Prior experience or training in air traffic control is not required. If a candidate applies for and is selected under this temporary trainee announcement, all of the employment conditions associated with this FG-1 position will apply, regardless of whether the candidate possesses the specialized experience that would have otherwise qualified him/her under the April/May 2017 vacancy announcement FAA-ATO-ATCEXP-52850.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Applicants may be required to pass a Biographical Assessment (BA).
  • All applicants must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (AT-SA) Exam.
  • If eligible for Pool 1; may elect consideration for Pool 2, but not both.

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Qualifications

APPLICANT POOLS

POOL 1 - All U.S. Citizens who also meet the following Pool 1 eligibility criteria:

Applicants MUST meet one of the following criteria (1, 2, OR 3) listed below in order to be eligible for consideration in Pool 1.

1. A graduate from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program and who has received from the institution an appropriate recommendation.

2. A veteran eligible for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) pursuant to section 4214 of Title 38 and can provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days from the announcement closing.

3. An eligible veteran maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of your military experience and/or entitled to veterans' preference (must meet eligibility requirements in section 2108 of Title 5, Unites States Code) and can provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days from the announcement closing.

Applicants eligible for Pool 1 will not take the Biographical Assessment (BA) unless they voluntarily elect to be considered in Pool 2.

POOL 2 - All U.S. Citizens

Pool 2 applicants are all other U.S. Citizens not meeting the requirements for Pool 1 and will be required to complete and pass the BA at the time of application to receive further consideration.

Pool 2 applicants do not have an option to elect to be considered for Pool 1.

Applicants who applied to FAA-AMC-14-ALLSRCE-33537 vacancy announcement (issued on February 10, 2014), and were found disqualified from the position as the result of the BA but do not meet one of the above mentioned Pool 1 criteria (1, 2 or 3) will be required to take the BA and will not be eligible to elect consideration in Pool 1.

Biographical Assessment (BA) Exemptions

During the application process, you will be directed to either bypass the BA or complete the BA based upon your Applicant Pool election and/or the following:

  • Applicants who applied for the air traffic controller vacancy FAA-ATO-16-ALLSRCE-49075 AND successfully passed the BA are not required to re-take the BA, as the passing score is valid for up to 3 years from the closing date of that vacancy (08/15/16).
  • Applicants who applied for the air traffic controller vacancy FAA-AMC-14-ALLSRCE-33537 (issued on February 10, 2014), and were found disqualified from the position as the result of a BA are eligible to reapply under this announcement. You must have met one of the Pool 1 criteria referenced above, (1, 2, or 3) to bypass the BA (see age requirements below).
  • Applicants who are required to take the BA (Pool 2) must achieve a passing score to receive further consideration.
  • You may qualify in 1 of the following 5 ways:
  • TO QUALIFY BASED ON PROGRESSIVELY RESPONSIBLE WORK EXPERIENCE: applicants must document 3 years of full time (40 hours per week) progressively responsible experience. Most types of paid or unpaid employment will provide progressively responsible experience as the individual doing the work learns about the organization, gains knowledge about the work, and demonstrates responsibility. OR
  • TO QUALIFY BASED UPON EDUCATION: applicants must document a full 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If qualifying based on education, applicants must submit a copy of the transcript which includes the name of the institution, quarter or semester hours earned and/or confer date. OR
  • TO QUALIFY BASED UPON THE COMBINATION OF BOTH WORK EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: The applicant's total qualifying experience is converted to a percentage of the experience required then the applicant's education is converted to a percentage of the education required. The combined percentages must equal 100%. At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. For example, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school. OR
  • TO QUALIFY BASED ON SPECIALIZED WORK EXPERIENCE AS AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST: applicants qualifying based on specialized experience must provide supporting documentation that verifies that this requirement has been met (e.g., FAA certificate, military certificate or training record). OR
  • TO QUALIFY BASED ON ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS: applicants must provide supporting documentation that verifies at least one of the following alternative requirements being met: a. Do you hold or have held an appropriate facility rating and have actively controlled air traffic in civilian or military air traffic control terminals or centers? b. Do you hold or have held an FAA certificate as a dispatcher for an air carrier? c. Do you hold or have held an instrument flight rating? d. Do you hold or have held an FAA certificate as a navigator or have been fully qualified as a Navigator/Bombardier in the Armed Forces? e. Do you have 350 hours of flight time as a copilot or higher and hold or have held a private certificate or equivalent Armed Forces rating? f. Have you served as a rated Aerospace Defense Command Intercept Director?
  • Successful candidates must be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment.

    Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) eligible applicants:

  • Disabled veterans; or
  • Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; or
  • Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; or
  • Recently separated veterans (defined as; within the last 3 years).

    Veterans claiming eligibility on the basis of service in a campaign or expedition for which a medal was awarded must be in receipt of the campaign badge or medal.

    In addition to meeting the criteria above, eligible veterans must have been separated under honorable conditions (i.e., the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge). Please also see the section 'All Veterans' at the bottom of this vacancy for further documentation requirements for Veterans.

  • Entrance on Duty Requirements (EOD): If you are selected for a position but are unable to complete pre-employment requirements and EOD within 15 months of this announcement, you will no longer be considered for this vacancy.

    Age Requirements:

    Maximum entry age may be waived for Pool 1 applicants who are reapplying and were found disqualified due to the BA in the February 10, 2014 announcement.

    A maximum age of 30 years is established for initial entry into air traffic control positions covered by Public Law 92-297. Persons who have reached their 31st birthday may not be originally appointed to these positions. If experience was gained as a civilian ATCS with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Department of Defense (DOD), you must have been hired prior to age 31. Please see the Required Documents section of this announcement for further information on specific documentation that MUST be provided if you were previously hired by the FAA or DOD prior to the maximum entry age for this position

Education

EDUCATION:

Applicants who are using education as a qualifier must submit a copy of the official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours and/or confer date.

Applicants qualifying based on Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) education must submit a copy of the official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours and/or confer date AND an appropriate recommendation letter or endorsement certifying the individual would have met the CTI requirements in effect as of December 31, 2013 for an appropriate recommendation.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Travel may be required.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies.

There will be two pre-employment tests for some applicants, all applicants will be required to take and pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (AT-SA):

  • 1: BA administered through the online application system.
  • 2: Applicants meeting basic qualifications and/or passing the BA will be scheduled to take the AT-SA at a designated test site.
  • Travel to & from testing locations will be at the expense of the applicant.
  • The BA will be scored at the close of the vacancy announcement.
  • Applicants may check their USAJOBS account to get updates on the status of their application after the announcement closes. Applicants who set up their USAJOBS account to provide email updates will receive an email notification with any change in status of their applications.
  • Candidates referred and tentatively selected for ATCS positions will be randomly assigned to either the En Route or Terminal track. Prior ATCS experience will not be factored when determining track assignments.
  • Requirement for pre-employment medical clearance: Applicants selected for ATCS positions must pass a medical examination that includes psychological screening prior to appointment. Applicants with prior military service are encouraged to obtain a sealed copy of their military medical records prior to discharge and to retain these records to be provided upon request if selected.
  • Requirement for security clearance: This position requires an Access National Agency Check and Inquiry with Credit (ANACI) or higher prior to appointment unless a waiver is obtained.
  • Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program: This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying covered positions will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.
  • Training Requirements: After successful completion of Academy training, the ATCS will enter the appropriate phase of field training as determined by the assigned facility to prepare for advancement to the Certified Professional Controller (CPC) level. They must learn the skills needed for operation at higher levels of responsibility.
  • Successful certification at assigned FAA facility is required. Failure to certify will result in separation, demotion or reassignment.
  • Requirement for nonstandard duty hours or work week: Incumbent may be required to work irregular duty hours or a nonstandard work week or tour of duty.


This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

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