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Airway Transportation Systems Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO, Technical Operations, Houston District, Houston ARTCC AUTO SSC (WCT13-ZHU)

Summary

The Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (ATSS) at this level is recognized as the subject matter 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

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/13/2026 to 03/05/2026
Salary
$104,424 to - $161,842 per year

Salary includes 35.00% locality pay for Houston, TX.

Pay scale & grade
FV I
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Houston, TX
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
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
ASW-ATO-26-BRO042-97092
Control number
857489300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees

Duties

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Serves as an ATSS (Automation) responsible for performing a variety of functions directly related to the operation of the NAS.

Performs work of broad scope and complexity with a high degree of independence. Has broad automated systems and networking responsibilities providing complete services to air traffic customers over a large geographic area.

The work performed at this level requires technical expertise on complex systems and/or emerging technology, systems interrelationships and management of the NAS. Provides the highest organizational level of technical support associated with analyzing, designing, developing, installing, repairing, fabricating, maintaining, modifying, or evaluating the most complex systems for which the FAA is responsible.

As a principal technical specialist or team leader for major projects and/or program areas, resolves unique technical problems without managerial intervention, providing coordination and suggesting solutions. Recognized for a high level of technical expertise on legacy and newly developed systems within a large facility or multiple facilities over a large geographical area.

Plans, coordinates, and performs work with a high degree of independence, keeping the supervisor advised of only the most critical issues. Carries out work in accordance with overall plans and objectives of the organization, resolving problems as they arise and making adjustments as necessary to deal with unanticipated situations and organizational needs.

This work includes responsibility for evaluating diagnostic data from multiple systems that are integrated to support a network of services or service products. Evaluation of this data is used for correcting deficiencies on Contractor Acceptance Inspection/Joint Acceptance Inspection, and timely resolution of equipment, systems or services with the NAS.

Monitors other employees time as a project or team leader. Identifies requirements (staffing funds, materials, and equipment) to accomplish projects and tracks the use of project resources. Provides training, mentoring, guidance
and advice to FAA employees, contractors and other organizations as needed. Supervisor rarely reviews completed work.

Acts in a security and administration role for automation system. Conducts day to day monitoring and management of system and user activity that affect information security, performs the day to day hands on operational and security duties, performs security administration performance checks, reviews/manages user accounts, files, and directories, reviews and analyze audit logs, installs and reconfigures approved software and adaptations, performs user account management, and follows all agency policy and guidance on the automation systems.

Responsibilities include integration, restoration, testing and evaluation of new advanced services or service components, hardware/software systems and processes. Applies comprehensive technical knowledge to protect the integrity of all components and systems to provide NAS service delivery. Review and evaluates all automation tickets. Works with air traffic and other stakeholders to eliminate erroneous tickets before forwarding to Field Automation Support Team. Contacts are both internal and external. Often represents the organization as the primary technical point of contact on projects, programs, and other work activities to coordinate and implement plans or to obtain information and resolve problems. Meets and consults with representatives of external organizations such as DoD, airport management, contractors, utility companies and foreign governments to resolve problems of mutual concern and to elicit cooperation and action favorable to FAA needs.

Responsibilities include integration, restoration, testing and evaluation of new advanced services or service components, hardware/software systems and processes. Applies comprehensive technical knowledge to protect the integrity of all components and systems to provide NAS service delivery.

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.
  • A valid state driver's license is required
  • Supervisor Endorsement
  • SF-50 submitted must be current.
  • SF-52 will not be accepted.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility that demonstrates an extensive knowledge of and experience in technology system interrelationships, and management of civilian or military automated aviation, navigation and electronics systems. Generally, experience at the next lower level, pay band FV-H/level III or FG/GS-12 equivalent, meets the minimum qualifications for this position as long as the experience supports the demonstrated abilities.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on these factors and 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.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR:

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the following has been determined to be a selective factor for this position. This means possession of this criterion is part of the minimum qualifications and is essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Applicants who do not possess this criterion are ineligible for further consideration.

Qualified candidates must meet the following Selective Placement Factor as determined by responses to the “Other Factors”:

AUTOMATION: ATSS must possess expert knowledge, skill or ability to perform the operation with the installation, maintenance, modification, repair, troubleshooting, flight check and certification of AUTOMATION systems and computer related services such as: Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, Automated Radar Terminal System, Direct Access Radar Channel, En Route

- Automation Modernization, Oceanic Display and Planning System, etc. This discipline is heavily engaged in operations and maintenance of industrial computer systems in the corporate environment, industrial systems to include both hardware and software applications. In addition, this position maintains other electrical/mechanical equipment/systems necessary to ensure reliability of facilities on and off airports with the network of the NAS.

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

Demonstrated Abilities:
You MUST provide a NARRATIVE statement for each Demonstrated Ability and Quality Ranking Factor. 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.

Eligible candidates will be ranked based on DEMONSTRATED ABILITIES and QUALITY RANKING FACTORS, if applicable. For your assistance in responding to each of the demonstrated abilities "things to consider"/instructions have been provided for each demonstrated ability at: https://employees.faa.gov/org/staffoffices/ahr/program_policies/policy_guidance/hr_policies/media/AppendixVPromotionCriteria.pdf

Failure to respond on-line to the demonstrative abilities will prevent you from receiving further consideration.

Supervisor Endorsement: A supervisory statement endorsing the applicant for this announcement is required by the closing date of this announcement. The endorsement must include the announcement number. Please upload your document(s) with your application by the closing date of the announcement. A Supervisor's Endorsement can be a memorandum or regionally generated form, and must include the announcement number. Candidates who are not endorsed by their supervisor will not be considered.

NOTE: For ingrade/downgrade candidates, a supervisor's endorsement is not required. To obtain the supervisory endorsement form or memo, please contact your manager.

NOTE: 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 closing date of announcement.

Education

Education may not 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 the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (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 KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, 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 announcement may also be used to fill other positions in the Houston District.

This position is Temporary NTE 2 years. It can be extended, terminated early, or made permanent without further competition.

Security Requirement: Moderate Risk (5). This position requires completion and favorable adjudication of a background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. Subject to a 5 year period reinvestigation.

Interviews: Some, all or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

Core Compensation Position: This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation Plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: https://employees.faa.gov/employee_services/pay_perf/pay/core_comp_plan/

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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