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AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST (TERMINAL)

Department of the Air Force
Air Education and Training Command

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
03/26/2026 to 04/01/2026
Salary
$107,048 to - $139,166 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Sheppard AFB, TX
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
Other
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
9U-AFPC-12921509-225711-CBS
Control number
862572400

Duties

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SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of this position is: To provide air traffic control (ATC) services to military and civilian aircraft operating in a radar environment using instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) providing for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic. To provide non-radar approach control services in allocated airspace, in the event of radar outages.

DUTIES:

  1. Directs movement of aircraft in flight and on the ground as displayed on radar indicator or pilot reported.
  2. Operates communication and display equipment and provides emergency assistance to aircraft.
  3. Provides instruction and assistance to air traffic control personnel.
  4. Maintains certification requirements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
  • Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
  • 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.
  • Must possess current and valid FAA/ATC specialist certification and maintain the same.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate designated security clearance.
  • May be required to work an uncommon tour of duty, i.e., Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. May be required rotating shifts and overtime.
  • May be required to respond to short notice recall to support unscheduled emergency air traffic and/or contingencies/exercises to support the mission.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
  • Must complete all training requirements within facility prescribed time limits to obtain and maintain a full facility rating in facility of assignment.
  • The incumbent of this position must have the ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time while controlling aircraft in a dimly lit IFR room.
  • The incumbent must have the ability to meet and maintain on a continuing basis, the physical, mental, and medical standards for ATC duties as specified by the OPM qualification standard for GS-2152.
  • At least 5 years ATC radar controller experience is highly desired.
  • At least 10 years of ATC experience and experience in the ATC career field within the last 3 years is highly desired.
  • The position may require the employee to work under adverse environmental conditions.
  • The incumbent must accomplish local limited weather observer certification requirements administered by base weather flight.

Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (CONT):

  • 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) and 8412(e), Immediate Retirement; 5 USC 8339(e) and 8415(d), Computation of annuity.
  • IAW DoDI 3020-42 this position has been locally or command designated as Mission Essential (ME); needed to ensure the continued operation of mission essential functions of the activity. Mission Essential personnel may be required to report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or delayed reporting, and remain on duty during phased or early release.
  • This is a Key Position. Incumbents must be removed from their military recall status if alternatives for filling the position during an emergency are unavailable.
  • This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national Security and public safety.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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, 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 include- experience in a 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. Examples of specialized experience include issuing control instructions and advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to assure proper separation of aircraft and to expedite their safe and efficient movement. This specialization also requires: ability to act decisively under stressful situations and to maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure; skill to coordinate plans and actions with pilots and other controllers; and judgment to select and take the safest and most effective course of action from among several available choices.


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:
  1. Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations and procedures governing the movement of air traffic.
  2. Knowledge of Terminal Air Traffic Control (ATC) Procedures, including tower and radar procedures.
  3. 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.
  4. Knowledge of weather phenomena and localized effects.
  5. Ability to make rapid and precise judgments in a real-time work situation, remain calm under conditions that are stressful, coordinate many different processes at once, adjust rapidly to changes in the traffic pattern and tempo of work activity.
  6. Ability to communicate effectively (rapidly, clearly, and distinctly) orally and in writing; to act decisively in emergency situations; and to provide appropriate reporting procedures as required.
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

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.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

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.

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.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

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.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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