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Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal)

Department of the Army
United States Army Installation Management Command
Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobility & Security (DPTMS) Airfield Division

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serve as an Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal) for the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security Airfield Division at Fort Knox, KY.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/06/2026 to 01/19/2026
Salary
$78,386 to - $101,897 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 10
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Knox, KY
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
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
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
MCFS-26-12859917-DHA
Control number
853537000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. The Category Rating, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

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  • Issue clearances and traffic information to aircraft arriving, departing or operating within the Godman Tower traffic area where the principal user category is military and general aviation aircraft.
  • Assure departing IFR end VFR flights operate in accordance with established operations rules and procedures, issues clearances, times, and instructions to IFR VFR and special VFR traffic.
  • In a non-approach control facility, primarily handles aircraft operating under visual flight rules (see and be seen).
  • Prepare flight progress strips; posts and relays FF departure and arrival reports; obtains clearance for instrument flights and enters on flight progress strips.
  • Reports arrival and departure of instrument flights; relays clearances, instructions, and advice to aircraft.
  • Independently perform the duties of an FAA certified Air Traffic Control Specialist through the full performance level of all control and operating positions and sectors.
  • Rely on radio contact with pilots and observation of aircraft movements in the tower's traffic area as the basis for issuing control instructions to pilots.
  • Provide assistance in emergency situations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment drug 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 requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations. Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis.
  • Must possess a valid FAA Air Traffic Safety Oversight (AOV) Tower Credential.
  • The incumbent of this position must be able to meet a Class IV Aviation flight physical.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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.

Specialized Experience: One year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which includes: 1) 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. 2) Directing and coordinating tower control of aircraft in assigned airspace and air traffic control duties in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, regulations and procedures governing the movement of air traffic. 3) Processing flight data plans.

This position requires a fully qualified Air Traffic Controller. Applicants must possess or obtain a valid Air Traffic Safety Oversight (AOV) Tower Credential.

This position requires that the incumbent possess and maintain the following or above listed FAA issued certification(s). NOTE: For each certification listed, you MUST submit a copy with your application package, or you will be rated in-eligible.

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.

For reentry into a covered position, you must also provide sufficient documentation (SF-50s) to show length of service in a previously covered Air Traffic Controller position.

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone -- no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) 64 Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.

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.

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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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