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Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO, System Operations Services, Operational Readiness, AJR-X200
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), System Operations Services, Operational Readiness Directorate (AJR-X). The mission of Operational Readiness is to build contingency into the culture of the Federal Aviation Administration; and the vision is to ensure that all air traffic control facilities in the National Airspace System (NAS) have viable operational contingency plans, that are exercised on a routine basis, allowing for facilities to be prepared for crisis response.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/16/2025 to 04/25/2025
Salary
$148,902 to - $225,700 per year

The salary listed includes the locality rate of 33.94% for the Washington DC Metropolitan Area.

Pay scale & grade
FV K
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Vint Hill Farms Military Installation, VA
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Fixed Rate PCS - Permanent Change of Station (Current Federal Employee) - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, a fixed relocation payment of $4,900 will be paid. Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
AWA-AJR-25-6015CM-94868
Control number
835309000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees - ATO-WIDE

Duties

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The Air Traffic Control Specialist performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments. Applies experience and expert technical knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations as well as technical knowledge of contingency plans and operations to support a safe continuity of air traffic services during a disruption. Possesses knowledge of the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) policies and guidance, and the necessary equipment required to support air traffic control operations. The Specialist is a recognized Operational Contingency expert in the FAA. Work is completed independently and exercises broad discretion to ensure that work is integrated with ATO objectives and policies.

Furnishes expertise at the national level in a major national program as a senior project manager or team leader for large, challenging activities. Leads and conducts complex, specialized air traffic control efforts, to include leading across ATO and agency efforts focused on policy development and/or reform to further support air traffic operational contingency planning requirements and implementation. Assess training, new requirements and lessons learned to improve and develop new procedures, policies and processes. Provides technical guidance on a wide range of highly complex issues associated with facility contingency planning and integration.

Utilizes experience in an FAA Air Traffic Control facility during operational contingency events, leads and facilitates work groups and discussions with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions to complex contingency-related areas requiring supporting policy, guidance, and process. Identifies, assesses, and analyzes significant air traffic processes and issues supporting or impacting the FAA strategic plans and goals pertaining to the continuity of air traffic services.

Analyzes FAA contingency policies within the ATO, to determine appropriateness of application and the impact on the National Airspace System (NAS). Analyzes and evaluates technical data to summarize assists in the development of conclusions for the preparation of reports or policies. Provides support in compiling technical requirements for the development of new capabilities to improve operational readiness. Analyzes, evaluates, organizes and presents conclusions developed from lessons learned gathered and recommends solutions.

Contacts are internal and external and include senior management, industry and stakeholders. Meets with stakeholders across the ATO, FAA, and industry to conduct operational contingency related technical exchange meetings. Often represents the FAA as a focal point at conferences or meetings related to Air Traffic Services Operational Contingency programs/projects. Recommends organizational positions on major programs and issues related to Operational Contingency to agency management. Prepares and reviews reports or policies for internal and external distribution.

Although broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, the Air Traffic Control Specialist is almost always required to develop new and innovative approaches. Often recommends new policies; and develops procedures and approaches.

Conceives, plans, and directs studies involving complex issues and unique problems. Agency managers accept work products as technically authoritative, though work is reviewed for success in achieving desired results, effectiveness, and consonance with agency goals and objectives. Uses knowledge of FAA policies and objectives to identify, define, and organize work for multiple work activities. Acquires and allocates resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules. Independently commits resources.

The work often affects major components of the aviation industry and other external organizations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • In accordance with HRPM EMP 1.29/1.29a, this position MAY be a Career Enhancement Program/Career Progression (CE/CP) assignment. The selectee(s) may be eligible for pay retention
  • Career Diversity is not enhanced when an employee is assigned to a staff or supervisory position in which they previously held on a permanent basis. CE/CP selectees will be required to certify eligibility. Pay retention is not guaranteed.
  • This position is not covered by PL 92-267 for early retirement purposes, and is therefore, not eligible for "good time" credit. Position is ineligible for true time and one half.
  • Some all or none will be interviewed

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-J FG/GS-14 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IS DEFINED AS:

Experience contributing to the development or implementation of operational contingency plans.

Experience in a military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrates 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 a comprehensive knowledge of appropriate air traffic control laws, rules, and regulations.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria¿AND¿who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.*

**All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.**

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Preview job questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
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. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

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 pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about Core Compensation is available at: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits.

As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.

This Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

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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