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Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO, System Operations Services, System Operations Security, Tactical Operations Security, AJR-2400

Summary

Serves as an Air Traffic Security Coordinator in the Domestic Events Network located at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center or the National Capital Region Coordination Center. The ATSC is responsible for collaboration and coordination with air traffic facilities on the planning and operational execution of Air Traffic Management security measures and related efforts to protect the nation while mitigating safety and efficiency impacts on the National Airspace System (NAS).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/04/2026 to 03/13/2026
Salary
$150,392 to - $228,000 per year

The salary list includes the locality rate of 33.94% for the Washington DC Metropolitan Area.

Pay scale & grade
FV K
Locations
many vacancies in the following locations:
Herndon, VA
Warrenton, VA
Telework eligible
No
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
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
AWA-AJR-26-4448CM-97274
Control number
859699600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees FAA-Wide

Duties

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The Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) in this position performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments. The Specialist serves as the Air Traffic Security Coordinator (ATSC) and is responsible for planning and coordinating with counterparts in the Federal, state, local, military, public, and private organizations, exchanging information on real-time aviation security-related issues/risks. Coordinates intelligence reporting and its nexus to the operational aspects of the National Airspace System (NAS). Maintains close liaison with homeland security/national defense partners.

Applies experience and expert technical knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations, as well as technical knowledge of the aviation security and military operations related to national security and operational events and issues. The ATCS is a recognized expert on air traffic control procedures and requirements. Uses the knowledge to identify and resolve highly complex problems that often cross organizational boundaries and affect the accomplishment of agency objectives. Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, but almost always require the development of new and innovative approaches. Often recommends new policies and develops procedures and approaches.

Implements and integrates national security measures on a tactical dynamic basis in cooperation with North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other inter-agency security partners. Monitors the NAS to detect and direct tactical security measures for potential threats, including suspicious flights, to include timely coordination to minimize impacts to the NAS. When required, directs tactical security-related actions in the NAS.

The ATCS maintains active awareness of airspace security initiatives for the President, Vice President, or other public figures designated by the White House. It provides real-time coordination of the President of the United States (POTUS), Vice President of the United States (VPOTUS), First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS), or USSS-supported VIP movements, and real-time monitoring and airspace access for related Temporary Flight Restrictions.

Contacts are internal and external. Coordinates and implements agency Continuity of Operations (COOP)/Continuity of Government (COG) initiatives upon activation. Serves as the final authority regarding NAS operations involving COOP/COG activities; as such, provides tactical coordination of classified operations in the NAS. Often represents theFAA at the national level as the agency's focal point for major projects or programs. Recommends organizational positions on major programs and issues to agency management. Prepares and reviews reports or policies for internal and external distribution.

Provides advice and technical guidance on interdiction issues and law enforcement air operations in order to ensure compliance with air traffic control plans, policies and procedures. Provides guidance on operational capabilities and limitations of the FAA. Addresses air traffic control procedures to effectively accomplish the global mission, both in peacetime training and actual tactical operations incident to war or threats of war. Provides expert guidance on aviation
security and air traffic control techniques, procedures and processes as well as developing complex reports and presentations on operational issues. Agency managers accept work products as technically authoritative, though work is reviewed for success in achieving desired results, effectiveness, and consonance with agency goals and objectives. Accepts assignments to multiple locations as needed to address national security, contingency operations, and staffing shortages.

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.
  • 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.
  • Position is eligible for true time and one half.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-J, FG/GS-14 level. This experience 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 with air traffic management, providing real time monitoring and airspace access.

--Experience detecting and directing security measures for potential threats, suspicious flights, and timely coordination to minimize impact to services.

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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.

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.

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

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who does not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. *

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



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.

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.

This is a Level 4 (Special Sensitive; Secret/TS/SCI) position requires favorable adjudication of a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) background investigation prior to appointment unless a waiver is obtained.

This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation Plan. Additional information about core
compensation is available on the website: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits

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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