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Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal)

Department of the Army
United States Army Installation Management Command
Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobility & Security (DPTMS) Airfield Division

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

This position is included under the provisions of Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) and may have both a maximum entry age and a mandatory retirement date. For more information follow this link: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol331.pdf

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/09/2026 to 03/16/2026
Salary
$89,313 to - $116,113 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Riley, KS
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
MCFU-26-12898000- DHAR
Control number
860367200

Duties

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  • Serves as an Air Traffic Control Specialist for a radar approach terminal and Air Traffic Control Tower.
  • Performs assigned duties with an unusually high degree of independence, relying on personal judgment, technical knowledge and application of appropriate air traffic control (ATC) procedures.
  • Responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic within assigned sector.
  • Controls air traffic using radar ensuring precise alignment of the surveillance scope, establishing and maintaining positive radar identification of aircraft.
  • Provides instructions and advisories to ensure an orderly flow of traffic operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • The duties of this position meet the criteria for compliance with Federal and Department of the Army Drug Free Workplace Programs
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11
  • This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations.
  • This position has been designated "Mission Essential"
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter.
  • Air traffic control specialists in all specializations must possess or obtain all facility ratings required for full performance at the facility where the position is located
  • Applicants must be able to meet and maintain personal physical fitness/medical qualification standards in accordance with AR 40-501 and AR 40-8 pertaining air traffic control.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: To qualify based on your experience, your resume must describe at least one year of specialized which includes: Operating certified tower display/control workstations to ensure proper control of air traffic; performing Radar Approach Control, Tower, and Airspace Information Center (AIC) Flight Following controller duties; disseminating weather watches, warnings, advisories, and other significant meteorological information to properly advise pilots; issuing Air Traffic Control clearances and instructions to provide the required separation and sequencing of all traffic in the terminal area. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-10).

Additional Qualifications Requirements: In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement above, applicants must also be a graduate of a DoD component or FAA approved formal Air Traffic Controller school and possess Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) and Control Tower Operator (CTO) certification. Please submit this certification with your application package. Failure to do so could result in an "ineligible" rating due to missing certification.

This position has been identified by Department of Army as an Air Traffic Controller as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2109(1)(A) and (1)(B) who is actively engaged in the separation and control of air traffic; or in providing preflight, inflight, or airport advisory service aircraft operators; or is the immediate or second-level supervisor of any employee described above. As described under 5 U.S.C. 8401(35)(B), this also includes the immediate supervisor of the person described in 5 U.S.C. 2109(1)(B). As such, this position is covered under special retirement coverage. The individual hired is subject to Special Retirement provisions to include additional contributions to the retirement fund, mandatory separation/retirement at age 56 with 20 years of approved special retirement service, options for early retirement at any age after 25 years of approved special retirement provisions service, or at age 50 with 20 years of approved special retirement provisions service.Department of Defense (DoD), in accordance with 5 USC 3307, has determined an individual must be appointed to their first/original appointment into a DoD position that has been identified and approved for special retirement coverage as an Air Traffic Controller no later than the last day of the month in which they become 36.Preference eligible veterans over the age of 36, may apply regardless of the age restriction. If selected, a waiver of the age restriction will be requested by the hiring official for approval by the Department of Army. An individual who is past the maximum entry age (36) who previously served in an approved Department of Defense Air Traffic Controller position may be reinstated to a covered position provided they meet the applicable qualification requirements AND will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered service as an Air Traffic Controller by the last day of the month in which they become 56.Department of Army may approve an exception to the maximum entry age (36) for original entry into a covered Air Traffic controller position. However, any individual who has reached the mandatory separation age (56) is not eligible for employment or reemployment as an Air Traffic Controller. In addition to providing the required eligibility documentation listed elsewhere in this job announcement, you must provide sufficient documentation to determine proof of age. This documentation should be attached under Proof of Age as identified in the Required Documents section. In addition to providing the required eligibility documentation listed elsewhere in this job announcement, you must provide sufficient documentation to determine proof of age. This documentation should be attached under Proof of Age as identified in the Required Documents section.

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone -- no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) Aviation Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized.
  • Student loan repayment may be authorized.
  • Salary negotiations for those candidates who are new to Federal service may be authorized.
  • Credit for prior non-Federal work experience and certain military service for determining annual leave accrual rate may be authorized..

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.
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Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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