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Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Air Traffic Organization, System Operations Services, System Operations Security, Special Operations

Summary

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization. Conducts National Special Security Event, very important person (VIP), law enforcement, and classified operations planning and coordination. The specialist serves as the FAA Senior Representative to the Commander, Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS). The EADS is an Air Combat Command unit permanently assigned to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/03/2026 to 04/09/2026
Salary
$131,438 - $203,661 per year

The salary listed above includes a 17.06% locality payment for the Rest of the U.S. area.

Pay scale & grade
FV K
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Rome, NY
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
AWA-AJR-26-8614CM-97460
Control number
863692300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees within ATO

Duties

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The Air Traffic Control Specialist serves as the FAA Senior Representative to the Commander, Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) located at the Griffiss International Airport, Rome, and New York. Facilitates FAA’s contributions to, especially in terms of Airspace and Air Traffic Management related services, national defense, homeland defense and Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) efforts while advocating the FAA’s interest in sustaining the safety, security and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS). The Specialist performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments.

Applies experience and expert technical knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations as well as expert technical knowledge of air traffic management. Identifies, tracks, analyzes, reports and resolves military and federal law enforcement operational system problems and provides resolution on other specified problems to the appropriate military, FAA service areas, headquarters or service units. Conceives, plans, and directs studies involving complex issues and unique problems. Works with customers at high organization levels both inside and outside the FAA to resolve complex issues to ensure the integrity of the NAS. Works with the Department of Defense, federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, concerning classified movements and support of aircraft in support of special operations and with the United States Secret Service concerning the movement and security of the President of the United States and special security events identified by Presidential Decision Directive 62.

Develops and implements procedures for military traffic flow management programs. Develops, coordinates, monitors and implements operational programs and procedures for executing sensitive/classified requirements. Coordinates the air traffic role in national defense joint operational planning for both classified and unclassified emergency war plans and training to include counter-drug and counterterrorist contingencies. Provides oversight of agreements between FAA, the military and other federal agencies to ensure operational consistency and compatibility.

Serves as a senior advisor on the staff of the Commander. Recommends organizational positions on major programs and issues to agency management. Prepares and reviews reports or policies for internal and external distribution. Advises the Commander of the availability and utilization of FAA facilities and equipment as well as current air traffic control procedures to effectively accomplish the mission in the areas of peacetime training, tactical operations, security incidents, threats of war and actual wartime operations. Also advises the Commander on cooperation with the FAA for defense support to civil authorities’ related matters. In the course of the performance of duties, it is essential that the specialist maintain a close working relationship with the appropriate military personnel.

Contacts are internal and external. Represent the FAA at the national level in meetings as the national focal point on major projects/programs with commercial and general aviation representatives. Conducts outreach to aviation organizations within their area of responsibility to identify and resolve highly complex problems that often cross organizational boundaries and affect the accomplishment of agency objectives. Recommends organizational positions on major programs and issues to agency management. Prepares and reviews reports or policies for internal and external distribution. The Air Traffic Control Specialist is located at the air defense sector and other related military commands. As a recognized expert for FAA, the 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.

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

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, 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 STATEMENT:

1. Experience in a civilian air traffic facility that provided higher level inter-facility and/or inter-departmental program or project/program actions in direct support of homeland defense and national security mission exercises.

AND

2. Experience demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of and collaboration with Air Defense Liaison Officers (ADLOs), ensuring procedural alignment and effective FAA–DoD integration.

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Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

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

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

**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.

NOTES:

This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about Core Compensation is available at: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits.

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.

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

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.

Federal Aviation Administration

At the FAA, the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning. Exciting new opportunities are emerging in aviation and aerospace. Significant investments are advancing the research and development of autonomous vehicles, environmentally friendly electric aircraft, high-speed and long-endurance solar-powered aircraft, and new types of space vehicles. Success with these new technologies and vehicle types will introduce new ways to transport people and goods expanding aviation's footprint in transportation. People are our strength. We are a diverse workforce of over 44,000 located nationwide and spanning over 120 occupations to include air traffic control specialists, aviation safety inspectors, engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals. Join us in our mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Agency contact information

Christine McNeil
Phone
1 (202) 267-3722
Fax
1 (202) 267-7032
Email
christine.mcneil@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
HQ Employment Services Branch
800 Independence Ave, SW, Room 523
AHF-110
Washington, DC 20591
US

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