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AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Special Operations Command
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/23/2022 to 12/30/2022
Salary
$85,374 to - $110,990 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Hurlburt Field, FL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
8J-AFPC-11780591-845355-HRP
Control number
696551200

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) airspace analyst and UAS subject matter expert for AFSOC Director of Air, Space, and Information Operations (AFSOC/A3), 23 AF (AFSOF) Commander, and Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command. In this capacity, effectively manages AFSOC's UAS airspace management program and executes responsibilities as Air Force lead command for Small UAS and USSOCOM lead command for Large UAS and airspace coordination issues. Tasks include: UAS policy & procedure development; battlespace and range integration; user training & education; command & control coordination; and contingency, exercise, and test planning.

Duties:

  • Applies Air Force military UAS airspace and frequency management experience, researches, analyzes, develops, evaluates issues, and develops recommendations to resolve substantive problems and issues associated with UAS employment and training during peacetime and wartime operations.
  • Research, document, process and maintain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certificates of Authorization (COA), or host nation equivalent, to support UAS training, testing, and contingency operations within the National Airspace System (NAS) or host nation equivalent.
  • Develops UAS guidance, training materials, and concepts of employment and operations.
  • Prepares and delivers oral presentations such as briefings, training sessions, consultations, and strategy sessions with other staff service functions and activities to secure cooperation, resolve controversial matters, and convey information relative to proposed changes in assignments.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • Travel and Expenses WILL NOT be paid
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Air Operations Airspace Management experience (e.g., combat airspace manager) is critical to the successful completion of the work. Special Operations Forces combat airspace management experience highly desired.
  • Qualified SUAS operator experience (Raven B pilot certification) highly desired for the successful completion of the work.
  • Must obtain and maintain a Top Secret / SCI clearance.
  • Air Force Special Operations experience highly desired for the successful completion of the work.
  • May travel by military or commercial air to conferences, meetings, or other functions away from the duty site.
  • May be required to work overtime.
  • This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Air Traffic Control Series, 2152.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes experience in a military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the level of work of the specialization for which application is made. This experience must have provided knowledge of appropriate air traffic control laws, rules, and regulations. Examples of specialized experience include 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; ability to act decisively under stressful situations and to maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure; skill to coordinate plans and actions with pilots and other controllers; and judgment to select and take the safest and most effective course of action from among several available choices.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in­-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Detailed, comprehensive knowledge of AFSOC unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations. RQ-l I Raven B pilot certification desired. Comprehensive knowledge of FAA, OSD, Air Force, USSOCOM, and AFSOC UAS/airspace management regulations, instructions, and guidance. Comprehensive knowledge of Air Force and USSOCOM owned and leased UAS including capabilities and limitations. Knowledge of FAA COA process and procedures for obtaining a COA for UAS operations.

2. Detailed, comprehensive knowledge of AFSOC Special Tactics' Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures. SOF combat airspace operational experience and/or Combat Control Team experience highly desired. Knowledge of the application of Air Force and USSOCOM unmanned aircraft expertise as it applies to assigned programs; and assigned weapons systems. Comprehensive knowledge of Theater Air Ground System, Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) and functionality, and Special Operations Forces airspace management roles and responsibilities. Knowledge of Air Force, USSOCOM, and HQ AFSOC program goals and objectives; the sequence and timing of key operational events and milestones; methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions related to actual events.

3. Comprehensive knowledge of Special Operations Command, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), FAA, USAF, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied services military organizations, UAS in use, and operational doctrine. Close coordination with these agencies is constantly required and knowledge is not limited to the air traffic control career field alone. Knowledge of the relationship of the various command entities involved in overall program planning and execution of military operations and evaluations.

4. Comprehensive knowledge of Theater Battle Management Core System's Airspace Management Deconfliction tools to include knowledge of Air Force Research Lab's Battlespace Management initiative called Joint Airspace Management and Deconfliction (JASMAD); Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Heterogeneous Urban RSTA (reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and acquisition) Team (HURT) software; and USSOCOM's Joint Manned Unmanned System Teaming (JMUST) initiatives.

5. Knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to participate in the assessment and improvement of command level UAS plans and programs in areas such as national airspace system, air traffic control operations, airspace and frequency management, range management, and combat control.

6. Skill in designing and conducting comprehensive studies, and preparing solutions to resolve substantive problems and issues of effectiveness and efficiency of work operations in a major command program. Ability to plan, organize, and lead others in studies or projects and to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations, where proposals involve substantial resources, and require extensive changes in established concepts and procedures. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to negotiate complex issues; and to maintain good working relationships.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected at the full performance level and placed at the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

If you are unable to apply online, view the following link for information regarding Alternate Application. The Vacancy ID is 11780591.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and restriction from the workplace.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements.
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

Applicants who meet the requirements for and apply as a non-competitive eligible that meet minimal qualifications and other requirements of this position, will be given consideration as a non-competitive candidate and will be referred unless blocked by an individual with priority/preference. Noncompetitive applicants do not need to respond to the assessment questions with the A through E responses indicating level of experience/training.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

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