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Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO, Safety & Tech. Training, Policy & Performance Directorate, Safety Management Group, AJI-3100

Summary

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), Safety and Technical Training, Policy and Performance Directorate (AJI-3000). This Directorate analyzes leading indicators and root causes of incidents, establishes and maintains safety metrics for the ATO, and converts performance data into actionable information to enhance safety.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/28/2026 to 02/06/2026
Salary
$112,283 to - $173,980 per year

The salary listed above does not include locality. Locality will be determined based on the duty location of the selectee.

Pay scale & grade
FV K
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Washington, DC
Atlantic City, NJ
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
AWA-AJI-25-4158TY-96119
Control number
855556400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current permanent FAA employees.

Duties

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The Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments involving the complex assessment of safety risks to facilitate an acceptable level of safety risk in air traffic operations and systems in the National Airspace System (NAS). Serves as a senior project manager or team leader for large, challenging activities to evaluate proposed changes to NAS air traffic control operations and procedures. This work is critical to the operation of the NAS and the safety of the flying public.

The ATCS applies experience separating and controlling air traffic in a terminal or en route air traffic facility in analyzing and evaluating current risk, and to ensure that hazards are identified and unacceptable risk is mitigated before a change is made to NAS procedural and operational requirements. Applies experience and expert technical knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations, as well as expert technical knowledge of safety risk management, to develop and improve the Safety Management System (SMS). Facilitates SMS implementation by coordinating and assisting with cross-service unit communications, cooperation and integration. Applies Safety Risk Management (SRM) System criteria to develop, review and recommend approval of SRM documents according to the requirements of the ATO SMS. Facilitates SRM panels to conduct safety analysis of NAS changes by using experience participating in SRM panels.

The ATCS uses knowledge of Acquisition Management System (AMS) policies to develop safety strategies and plans for new acquisitions according to AMS and SMS policies and guidelines. Applies experience developing SRM documents to manage the peer review process to ensure that SRM documentation is approved in time to meet Joint Resource Council decisions related to AMS milestones. Uses knowledge of software development and programming processes to conduct safety assessments and to recommend approval of new or revised software.

Contacts are internal and external and include senior management, industry and stakeholders. The ATCS meets with program safety teams to conduct safety related technical exchange meetings across organization and lines of business. Often represents the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a focal point at conferences or meetings related to SRM. Recommends organizational positions on major programs and issues related to SRM and SMS 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 ATCS is almost always required to develop new and innovative approaches. The ATCS often recommends new policies and develops procedures and approaches. As a recognized SRM/SMS expert in the FAA, the ATCS works independently and exercises broad discretion to ensure that work is integrated with ATO objectives and policies. Although work is accepted as technically authoritative, the Team Manager reviews work for success in achieving desired results, effectiveness, and consonance with agency goals and objectives.

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.
  • Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.
  • Selectee(s) may be placed in any of the following team AJI-3110- AJI-3140, AJI-3150

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:

  • Experience analyzing and evaluating air traffic safety risks, identifying hazards, and mitigating risks.

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.

nswer 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.A

*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. **

To meet the minimum requirements for this position, applicants must possess:

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; or (3) alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

· In accordance with HRPM EMP 1.29/1.29a, this position MAY be a Career Enhancement Program/Career Progression 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. CEP/CP selectees will be required to certify eligibility. Pay retention is not guaranteed.

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.

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 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.

2) 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.

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.htm.

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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