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Supervisory Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Miss. Sup. Serv., Policy Directorate, Rules & Regulations Group, Unmanned Aircraft System, AJV-P22

Summary

As a supervisor/manager, the selectee for this position will be eligible to receive a Manager Performance Incentive (MPI) provided eligibility requirements noted in agency policy are met. The MPI is an annual lump-sum incentive payment that considers agency performance, the manager's individual performance, and available funding.

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), Mission Support Services (AJV) Policy Directorate (AJV-P).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/22/2026 to 02/02/2026
Salary
$148,902 to - $225,700 per year

The salary listed above includes a 33.94% locality payment for the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Pay scale & grade
FV K
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
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
Yes— - Fixed Rate PCS - Permanent Change of Station (Current Federal Employee) - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, a fixed relocation payment of $27,000 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
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Announcement number
AWA-AJV-26-6286TY-96839
Control number
854992800

Duties

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The Supervisory Air Traffic Control Specialist serves as Team Manager for the UAS Policy Team and reports to the Rules & Regulations Group Manager on all aspects of program responsibilities. Applies an advanced knowledge of the technical aspects of air traffic management/control to direct the team's work. As the Team Manager, he/she provides oversight for direction and guidance concerning airspace actions, environmental policy, and developing rules and policies to support the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) within the National Airspace System (NAS).

Directs the team in developing and analyzing current and future operational projects related to regulatory programs, airspace design, modeling, simulation, and tactical capacity to expand UAS access to the NAS. These could include designated UAS routes, allocated airspace volumes, and authorized areas of operation (where appropriate). Provides oversight of air traffic and unmanned aircraft regulatory activities that include a combination of new rulemaking and amendments to existing rules to support evolving concepts of operations and airworthiness certifications. He/she directs team in the performance of a variety of special and/or sensitive assignments, involving the research, analysis, development of written materials, and coordination of substantive program issues and activities. Senior management typically reviews individual and organizational performance periodically through organizational performance measures to determine success in achieving planned results.

He/she is primary responsibility for Waivers to Part 107 provisions affecting air traffic and operations in controlled airspace, UAS authorizations in controlled airspace under Part 107, process management and improvement for Part 107.41 requests, and Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Order JO 7200.23, Unmanned Aircraft Systems. He/she serves as ATO focal for all Part 107 waiver considerations and is the policy point of contact for ATO guidance affecting UAS. Contacts are primarily within the organizational unit, AJV and the ATO with subordinates, peers, and higher-level managers to discuss the status of projects/programs and to plan for the future.

He/she exercises formal supervisory responsibilities including planning, communicating the organization's vision and objectives, setting priorities, assignment of tasks and responsibilities, monitoring and evaluating performance; coaching and developing employee and organizational capabilities; approving leave; taking, recommending or approving corrective/disciplinary actions as appropriate. Has the authority, within guidelines, to make commitments for subordinate organizational units. He/she actively promotes, supports, and participates in the FAA's Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs.

He/she has discretion to ensure the alignment of projects/programs with the short-term objectives of Mission Support Services. The Group’s work directly affects the organizational unit and Mission Support Services Service. He/she resolves all but unique problems without intervention from higher-level manager. Regularly called upon to identify problem areas and to develop and recommend new policies and procedures for resolution.

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).
  • Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

Qualifications

Candidates must have one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (FV-J or FG/GS-14) that 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:

  • Demonstrated expertise in the technical aspects of air traffic control, particularly related to the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS).
  • Experience in UAS operations, including understanding waivers, authorizations, and compliance with specific regulations such as Part 107 provisions.
  • Experience of the National Airspace System, including the laws, rules, polices, and procedures governing the movement of air traffic to develop and implement new regulations dealing with a variety of emerging technologies.

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. *

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

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

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 Leadership & Management Dimensions and/or Technical Requirements listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; or (3) alphabetical, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

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

NOTES:

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

In lieu of providing a narrative response in the text box listed below each Leadership and Management Dimension and/or Technical Requirement, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your 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 2 (Non-Critical Sensitive; Secret) position requires favorable adjudication of an Access National Agency Check and Inquiries (ANACI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.2)

3) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm3)

4) This position is not covered by PL 92-267 for early retirement purposes, and is therefore, not eligible for "good time" credit.

5) Position is ineligible for true time and one half.

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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