Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Airway Transportation Systems Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO, Technical Operations, Oakland District, Oakland Operations Support Staff (WWU41)

Summary

Serves as an Airway Transportation Systems Specialists (ATSS). The ATSS at this level is recognized as the principal expert in their field. All duties of an ATSS are tied to maintaining safe and efficient operating capacity of the vast and complex network of electronics systems required for the world's largest air traffic control and navigation system.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/11/2026 to 03/03/2026
Salary
$95,489 to - $148,037 per year

The salary above does not include locality pay. The locality percentage will be determined by the duty location.

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Rancho Cordova, CA
Stockton, CA
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - The job may require up to 50% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 2 Years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
No
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes - This is a bargaining unit position, represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (http://www.passnational.org).
Announcement number
AWP-ATO-26-EL070-97201
Control number
857238600

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Open to Current Permanent FAA employees-within the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), Logistics Center (AML) and FAA Academy (AMA-400)

Duties

Help

The incumbent is recognized as the principal technical expert for development of workable solutions for any unanticipated situations adversely affecting operationally critical systems of the NAS. Serves as senior project manager or team leader for large, challenging and complex work activities. Represents the FAA as a senior technical authority for major Agency activities, emerging technologies and customer concerns.

Responsible for establishing and managing program goals and objectives and formulating project plans; develops, interprets, recommends changes, and has broad discretion to insure compliance with Organizational objectives and policies; identifies, procures, distributes, and tracks resources needed to accomplish large work activities.

Works with customers at high internal and external organization levels to the FAA to resolve complex issues to insure the integrity of the NAS. Coordinates with multiple air traffic entities to shut down and restore facilities, systems, and services to prevent activities from disrupting air traffic operations. Quickly resolves restoration problems with minimal impact to the NAS.

Performs work providing Agency-wide leadership for highly complex and challenging technical activities. This may be accomplished using innovative concepts and approaches for problems that have resisted earlier efforts at resolution.

Maintains authority to commit the necessary resources to accomplish the agency's mission. Develops innovative approaches to attain Organizational objectives and optimize the use of resources. Works independently, monitors and evaluates trend data on a nationwide basis to develop workable solutions for sustaining the NAS. Keeps abreast of changes in technology and the new systems coming on-line. Provides recommendations to senior level managers for enhancement of systems and air traffic operations. Formulates Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) for local use, dealing with Emergency and Safety situations at assigned facilities.

Incumbent has the authoritative responsibility for timely upward reporting of NAS information that could have an impact to operations for purposes of Situation Awareness (i.e. NOTAM, SAL Paging function). Understands the current state and dynamics of local operations and being able to anticipate future changes and developments. Integrates Operational Risk Management (ORM) into restoration, schedule maintenance activities, and all planned projects, ensuring that all customers and users of services are included and involved in ORM implementation and planning.

The incumbent is management's representative during non-administrative hours; formulates and recommends organizational positions on major Agency activities to senior managers. Technical decisions are considered authoritative in his/her area of expertise and are considered a technical expert within the FAA for an assigned system or specialty area.

Work directly supports the objectives of the agency and the safe and continual operation of the NAS. Contacts are both internal and external. Formulates and recommends organizational positions on major agency activities to senior managers. Represents the FAA as a senior technical authority for major projects and programs.

Works independently. Has broad discretion to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and policies. Develops innovative approaches to attain organizational objectives and optimize the use of resources. Identifies and justifies the resources needed to accomplish large work activities. Provides expert guidance and instruction to address diverse, complex issues that often cross multiple projects, programs, or functional areas. Develops plans, techniques, and policies to address current or anticipated problems and issues. Work is typically reviewed for success in achieving desired results.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Help

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.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license.
  • This is a temporary position not to exceed two-years; it may be terminated sooner or extended.
  • Supervisor's Endorsement is required for promotion.
  • An endorsement is not required if ingrade or downgrade.
  • This position may not be made permanent.

Qualifications

Candidates must show experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility that is appropriate to the position. Experience that demonstrates an extensive knowledge of, and experience in, technology system interrelationships within the National Airspace System (NAS), management of civilian or military automated aviation, navigation, or other electronics systems. Generally, experience at the next lower level of I/Level IV or equivalent, meets the minimum qualifications for this position as long as the experience provides the demonstrated abilities identified below.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements may be further evaluated on the Demonstrated Abilities listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

You MUST provide a NARRATIVE statement for each Demonstrated Ability. The narratives should be clear and concise, providing a description of your education, training and experience that would describe the degree to which you possess each Demonstrated Ability. Candidates must show experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility appropriate to the position.

Failure to submit demonstrated abilities statements will prevent you from receiving further consideration.

Notice: 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 at a later stage in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during that application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience with this position.

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.

SUPERVISORY ENDORSEMENT. If your selection for this position would be considered a promotion then a supervisory statement endorsing your candidacy (Career Level IV to Career Level V) is required by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the supervisory endorsement will remove the applicant from further consideration.

Supervisory Endorsement is not required for ingrade/downgrade candidates.

Security Requirement: Moderate risk (5), this position requires completion and favorable adjudication of a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

Interviews: All or none of the applicants will be interviewed.

This position is a temporary assignment NTE 2 years. Position may be extended or terminated sooner.

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.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.