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Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO, Sys Ops Services, Sys Ops Security, UAS Ops Security, UAS Detection & Mitigation Team, AJR-2620
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), System Operations Services (AJR),
Operations-Headquarters Directorate (AJR-2). System Operations Security (AJR-2) leads the Air
Traffic Organization's (ATO) operations-centric efforts in the national defense, homeland security,
law enforcement, disaster response, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations, and other
significant incident management arenas.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/05/2025 to 08/14/2025
Salary
$126,632 to - $196,317 per year

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

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Warrenton, VA
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time-to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
AWA-AJR-25-1314CM-95905
Control number
842419600

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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This position is an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) within an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations Security team. Maintains and advances specialized programs in the areas of planning, detection, mitigation, and integration. This includes developing strategies, overseeing implementation, and ensuring continuous improvement to effectively support mission objectives.

Applies experience and expert technical knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations as well as expert technical knowledge of unmanned aircraft. The work consists of technically complex, and sensitive staff work involving unclassified, controlled unclassified, and classified deliverables related to policy, plans, and procedures. Applies complex legislation, regulations, and procedures pertaining to aviation security matters. Performs operational and technical analysis of air traffic management related to unmanned aircraft systems and operations.

Performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments, pertaining to the development and implementation of airspace management mechanisms to ensure that the integration of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS) supports national defense and other security-related needs. Develops and implements mechanisms to discourage the illicit illumination of aircraft, especial civil operators, by lasers. Facilitates the deployment and use of Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) in the NAS by developing and implementing ATM related measures to mitigate potential safety and efficiency impacts.

Coordinates with spectrum engineering, Air Traffic Control (ATC), aviation operators, and the Department of Defense (DOD) and other inter-agency partners to sustain national defense test and training activities in the NAS involving potential electromagnetic interference (e.g., OPS interference, Identification-Friend or Foe (IFF), and tactical data distribution) activities while effectively mitigating safety and efficiency concerns.

Contacts are internal and external. Often represents the organization as a senior point of contact on projects and programs. Coordinates with ATC, the Department of State (DOS), Department of Defense (DoD), and other inter-agency stakeholders to plan and carry out the safe and compliant Conduct-Of Open Skies Treaty missions. As an authority on ATC provides input to Open Skies Treaty discussions with foreign signatory States. This work supports programs for Special Interest Flights (SIF) and other sensitive air traffic activity. Attends and participates in inter-agency meetings involving sensitive missions critical matters as it relates to the Counter UAS mission and the threats they pose to the NAS and critical facilities.

Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for completing work objectives but allow considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. Draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems. Most work is performed independently, though work is subject to review by program officials and representatives of external entities for quality of results and compatibility with regional and national goals, conformance with established policies, and consonance with program objectives. Work is typically reviewed through status reports and at completion. Plans own use of time and resources to accomplish objectives. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities within established schedules.

Carries duties related to the System Operations Security mission as assigned, including participating in the directorate's response efforts addressing natural disasters and other crises.

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.

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-I, FG/GS-13 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 participating in response efforts addressing natural disasters and other crises.

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.

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.

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.

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 Ability (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 position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation Plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the website: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits.

This is a Level 4 (Special Sensitive; TS/SCI) position requires favorable adjudication of Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

Management may choose to interview all, some, or none of the referred candidates.

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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