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Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO, Deputy Chief Operating Officer - Operations, Joint Air Traffic Operations Command (JATOC)

Summary

As the ATO's centralized command and control element, JATOC helps the ATO effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from any incident that impacts the National Airspace System (NAS). During an incident, experts from all ATO operational Service Units gather details and provide a single source of integrated information and reliable communications to ATO leadership to make critical, informed, and responsible decisions.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/22/2026 to 05/01/2026
Salary
$150,392 - $228,000 per year

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

Pay scale & grade
FV K
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Vint Hill Farms Military Installation, VA
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required - The job does not require any 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
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
AWA-AJO-26-5549CM-98298
Control number
865988000

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) applies experience and expert knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations, as well as FAA programs, regulations, and missions. As the Joint Air Traffic Operations Command Specialist (JATOC) collaborates with a highly technical workforce that provides air traffic services. Uses knowledge in identifying and resolving highly complex problems that often cross organizational boundaries and affect the accomplishment of agency objectives. Performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments, such as providing situational awareness and intelligence by interacting with various support organizations to ensure operational interests. Works with management in implementing program initiatives and projects involving the evaluation of proposed program changes to national air traffic policies, procedures, and equipment. The work contributes directly to the accomplishment of air traffic and other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) objectives, and the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations in the National Airspace System (NAS).

The JATOC specialist advocates to the FAA Air Traffic Control facility management and staff on real-time operational issues. Maintains real-time awareness on NAS status (OIS, Weather products, TMI, Planning TELCONS, etc.). Collaborates with all other JATOC team members to develop timely, clear, and concise information for effective management of real-time events. Works with ATC facility personnel on complex decision-making in analyzing and resolving real-time ATC operational issues. Provides guidance to ATO personnel for the formulation of messaging related to event notifications and event management. Serves as a consultant on issues immediately affecting facility operations and provides rapid responses to all operationally related inquiries and real-time issues.

Provides support to facilities and leadership within AJO, as well as JATOC Elements. Collaborates with subject matter experts to develop solutions to problems and manage events affecting facilities and airspace. Engages in discussions intended to produce decisions/actions affecting facility operations. Provides a review of Staffing Trigger information prior to submission for implementation of traffic management initiatives. Coordinates communication efforts and maintains connections between resources to ensure seamless connectivity among various service units. This promotes situational awareness and enhances information sharing across the organization.

Applies expert knowledge of staff programs (e.g., procedures, traffic management, quality assurance, training, automation) to carry out regional or national programs. Coordinates, monitors, and tracks air traffic management activities and programs. Facilitates collaboration with ATO service unit personnel to align incident management goals and provide necessary support. Acts as an active participant during Emergency Notification System (ENS) calls to inform and provide status to ATO/FAA leadership of significant events in the NAS. Assists management with incident management activities during all-hazards events, including natural and human-caused events, as well as planned events. Participates in all JATOC exercises and drills conducted to ensure national preparedness in the event of a significant incident in the NAS.

As a recognized expert in the FAA, is often called to represent the FAA 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. Represents air traffic operational interests effectively with other organizations. Collaborates with union officials and representatives to achieve 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.
  • In accordance with HRPM EMP 1.29/1.29a, this position MAY be a Career Enhancement Program/Career Progression (CE/CP) 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. CE/CP selectees will be required to certify eligibility. Pay retention is not guaranteed.
  • This position is not covered by PL 92-267 for early retirement purposes, and is therefore, not eligible for "good time" credit. Position is ineligible 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 coordinating, monitoring, and tracking air traffic management activities and programs.

--Experience participating in exercises and drills conducted to ensure national preparedness in case of a natural or human-caused events.

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.

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. 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.

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.


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.

This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional informationabout 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 Abilities (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 Level 2 (Non-Critical Sensitive; Secret) position requires favorable adjudication of an Access National Agency Check and Inquiries (ANACI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

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) 267-3722
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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