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AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
U.S. Air Forces, Europe

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/27/2026 to 03/06/2026
Salary
$103,225 to - $134,195 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Ramstein, Germany
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9N-AFPC-12899535-172576-LEB
Control number
859366100

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as an Air Traffic Control Specialist and Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) Program Manager; performing staff level work on behalf of an agency Major Command (MAJCOM).

  • Serves as a MAJCOM point of contact for assigned Air Traffic Control (ATC) program operations, and provides support to FAA, DOD, and MAJCOM/COCOM operations
  • Makes aeronautical information decisions on behalf of HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA on a thorough knowledge of aviation and air traffic control regulations, air navigation procedures, the effect of aeronautical information, and instrument procedure design and needs of the command
  • Represents HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA with a variety of countries, installations and functional area organizations
  • Provides program oversight, conducts analysis, and performs staff assistance visits to conduct annual instrument procedures and air traffic control reviews for assigned command bases to ensure adherence to host nation sources and waiver requirements

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • Gaining unit may pay for PCS expenses
  • May occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station and travel on military and/or commercial aircraft
  • Employee must obtain and maintain an appropriate security clearance as a condition of employment
  • The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or other holidays; overtime be required
  • Incumbent is required to obtain and maintain a valid U.S Forces Certificate of License (AE Form 190) as well as an International driver’s license
  • This is a Mission-Essential position performing a Mission-Critical-Function which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions
  • May be required to present ATC/CTO certifications upon request

Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (cont'd)

  • This position is designated by the Air Force as a Test Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. As a mandatory requirement for employment in this TDP the incumbent is (a) to refrain from the use of illegal drugs and (b) if requested to submit to urinalyses testing. The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied as a TDP.
In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR), Air Traffic Control Series, 2152

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrated 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; in-depth knowledge of Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control operations, policies, concepts, principles and methodologies applicable to worldwide air operations under peacetime and wartime conditions; in-depth knowledge of air traffic control methods and procedures to serve as a MAJCOM expert in air traffic control and related automated systems to develop policies and procedures to resolve complex, unusual, and/or sensitive problems; and knowledge of military command structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships and program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key operational events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions as related to actual events.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  • In-depth knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations and procedures governing the movement of air traffic including Terminal Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower and radar procedures; and related areas such as airspace management, airfield management, weather phenomena and localized effects.
  • In-depth knowledge of the functional/operational limitations of all ATC equipment, as well as approach lighting, airfield lighting, weather instructions, navigational aids (NAVAIDS), remote status indicators, arresting systems, landlines, and any other equipment pertaining to ATC services.
  • Ability to apply a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of command level plans and programs for conducting major operations such as mission and flight operations, military exercise, special operations and related administrative programs such as PPBS, acquisition, and workforce development and training.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and lead others in studies or projects and to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations, where proposals involve substantial resources, and require extensive changes in established concepts and procedures.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relationships.
MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: The maximum age for original entry into an identified ATC position is 36 years. An individual shall NOT be appointed or assigned to an ATC position if that appointment cannot be completed prior to the last day of the month in which the individual reaches his/her 36th birthday. Applicants over the age limit must meet re-entry or age waiver requirements in accordance with DoDI 1400.25-V331 dated 26 Jan 15, Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Manual, Subchapter 331, Civilian Air Traffic Controllers. Any individual who has reached the mandatory separation age (56) is NOT eligible for employment/reemployment as an ATC (5 U.S.C. 3323(a) (reference (b)).

NOTE: ATCs have a mandatory separation age of 56. This position is covered as an Air Traffic Controller under 5 USC 2109. This position is subject to the special retirement provisions for Air Traffic Controllers under CSRS and FERS (5 USC 3382, Involuntary Separation for Retirement; 5 USC 8335(a) and 8425(a), Mandatory Separation; 5 USC 8336(e), Immediate Retirement; 5 USC 8339(3) and 8415(d), Computation of annuity, and 8412(e).

RE-ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: ATC Specialist in receipt of a refund, of retirement contributions for the years of service covered under special retirement, will not receive service credit towards the 20 years required to retire under special retirement coverage, unless the redeposit is paid in full prior to date of retirement.

REQUIREMENTS: Air traffic control specialists in all specializations must possess or obtain, within uniformly applicable time limits, the facility ratings required for full performance at the facility where the position is located. Applicants must possess or obtain a valid Air Traffic Control Specialist Certificate and/or Control Tower Operator Certificate, if appropriate. These certificates require demonstrating knowledge of basic meteorology, basic air navigation, standard air traffic control and communications procedures, the types and uses of air navigation aids, and regulations governing air traffic.

Medical Requirements: In general, air traffic control specialist applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of these positions without risk to themselves or others. The provision of sufficient information about physical capacity for employment requires that before appointment, applicants undergo appropriate pre-employment physical/medical evaluations.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Important Overseas Information: Applicants interested in applying for overseas locations please click here to review important information regarding the exceptional family member program.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

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.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements.
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: When job announcements indicate PCS costs are authorized, overseas allowances may be authorized in accordance with Department of State Standardized Regulation (DSSR) and any applicable Federal Overseas Regulations.

Selectees who physically reside permanently in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during the entire recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) and selected for employment in the foreign area are eligible to receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, Post Allowance, Home Leave, etc. (subject to approval).

Selectees who physically reside outside the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during any step of the recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) will have foreign area benefits eligibility be determined on a case by case basis.

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