Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

• Issues instructions to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft to expedite the movement of arriving/departing aircraft, providing radar separation through the use of STARS radar equipment.
• Assigns departure time to prevent conflicts with inbound traffic and other aircraft, establishes sequence and separation patterns and instructs aircraft on position in sequence and type of approach to expect.
• Provide approach control services using radar displays and the ability to apply Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) separation standards and vectoring procedures for arrivals, departures and enroute aircraft.
• Utilize surveillance and precision approach radars to control aircraft to touchdown and to maintain separation between aircraft.
• Maintains positive control of all aircraft in assigned airspace utilizing standard air traffic control phraseology.
• Serves as a certified Air Traffic Control Specialist in an Army Radar Approach Control and Tower.

Conditions of employment

• Pursuant to EO 14043, all Federal employees, regardless of duty location or work arrangement, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entrance on duty, subject to exceptions as required by law.
• If selected, the agency will provide information regarding what documentation is needed and how to request any legally required exceptions from this requirement.
• Proof of vaccination will be required. To ensure compliance with this mandate, review the vaccination requirements, to include timelines for receiving required doses, at the following: https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
• This position has been designated "Mission Essential". In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• This position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
• This position is subject to a two year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 5% of the time
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Class IV Physical Examination and annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• This position requires you to support the Facility Training Program and to be involved with one-on-one on the job training (OJT).
• This position requires the FAA Certification; Form 7220-1 or Tower CTO Certification.
• This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations. Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

• 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
• Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
• Current Permanent Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
• Executive Order (E.O.) 12721
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
• Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

This is a developmental position which will be filled at the GS-11 grade level. You will work in a developmental capacity performing assignments and completing training, both of which are aimed at preparing you to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the full performance level. The candidate placed in this position may be non-competitively promoted to the target grade of GS-12 if he or she has satisfactorily demonstrated the ability to perform at the higher grade level, meets all regulatory and qualification requirements for promotion, has been recommended for promotion by the supervisor and the target position is supported at the time of the promotion.

To qualify at the GS-11 grade level:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes issuing control instructions and advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to assure proper separation of aircraft and to expedite their safe and efficient movement acting decisively under stressful situations and to maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure; coordinating plans and actions with pilots and other controllers; and selecting and taking the safest and most effective course of action from among several available choices.. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal services (GS-09).

To qualify at the GS-12 grade level:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes duties as a certified fully Radar Approach Controller using Radar Approach Control equipment to include Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) or Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems: providing radar approach control services using radar displays; performing duties and task in Radar Approach Control Facilities This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

In addition to the above, this position also requires FAA Certification; or equivalent to Form 7220-1. Please submit this certification with your application package. Failure to do so could result in an "ineligible" rating due to missing certification.

This position has been identified by Department of Army as an Air Traffic Controller as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2109(1)(A) and (1)(B) who is actively engaged in the separation and control of air traffic; or in providing preflight, inflight, or airport advisory service aircraft operators; or is the immediate or second-level supervisor of any employee described above. As described under 5 U.S.C. 8401(35)(B), this also includes the immediate supervisor of the person described in 5 U.S.C. 2109(1)(B). As such, this position is covered under special retirement coverage. The individual hired is subject to Special Retirement provisions to include additional contributions to the retirement fund, mandatory separation/retirement at age 56 with 20 years of approved special retirement service, options for early retirement at any age after 25 years of approved special retirement provisions service, or at age 50 with 20 years of approved special retirement provisions service.

Department of Defense (DoD), in accordance with 5 USC 3307, has determined an individual must be appointed to their first/original appointment into a DoD position that has been identified and approved for special retirement coverage as an Air Traffic Controller no later than the last day of the month in which they become 36. Preference eligible veterans over the age of 36, may apply regardless of the age restriction. If selected, a waiver of the age restriction will be requested by the hiring official for approval by the Department of Army.

An individual who is past the maximum entry age (36) who previously served in an approved Department of Defense Air Traffic Controller position may be reinstated to a covered position provided they meet the applicable qualification requirements AND will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered service as an Air Traffic Controller by the last day of the month in which they become 56.Department of Army may approve an exception to the maximum entry age (36) for original entry into a covered Air Traffic controller position. However, any individual who has reached the mandatory separation age (56) is not eligible for employment or reemployment as an Air Traffic Controller.

In addition to providing the required eligibility documentation listed elsewhere in this job announcement, you must provide sufficient documentation to determine proof of age. This documentation should be attached under Proof of Age as identified in the Required Documents section.

Additional information regarding Special Retirement coverage CSRS/FERS Handbook, Chapter 46.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

• Accountability
• Facilities
• Oral Communication
• Technical Competence

Time in Grade Requirement: (GS-11) Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-09).

Time in Grade Requirement: (GS-12) Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your résumé and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.