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Instructional Systems Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Safety & Tech. Trng, Tech.Trng. Dir., Air Traffic Tech Trng Grp., AT Instruc. Design Team, AJI-2430

Summary

This position is located in the Safety and Technical Training Service Unit, Technical Training Directorate, Air Traffic Technical Training Group (AJI-2400). This group is responsible for the administration and oversight of Air Traffic Technical Training, including the identification of policies and requirements for air traffic technical training in support of the National Airspace System (NAS).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/05/2026 to 05/14/2026
Salary
$95,489 - $148,037 per year

The salary listed above does not include locality. Locality will be determined based on the duty location of the selectee.

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Locations
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Washington, DC
Oklahoma City, OK
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
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
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
AWA-AJI-26-7111TY-98454
Control number
867779400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to permanent FAA employees.

Duties

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As a recognized expert in instructional system design, the Instructional Systems Specialist (ISS) applies expert knowledge of learning theory and the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of instructional design to provide leadership for highly complex activities involving the instructional design standards and structure across the technical training curriculum for the Air Traffic Organization under the minimal direction of the Team Manager.

As a principal specialist, the ISS uses experience leading/conducting technical training courses for a highly complex technical workforce to define and direct challenging projects, programs, and activities. Applies instructional design principles, practices, techniques, and tools to consult on technical training programs at Air Traffic Control facilities. Analyzes technical occupations or performs job task analysis to develop instructional methods, techniques, and competencies for the ATC and ATSS workforce. Designs, develops and maintains technical training material to improve instructional effectiveness.

The ISS uses new Instructional System Design Methods and technologies such as experiential learning (gaming/simulation); blended learning (e.g. Blackboard) to develop and/or maintain training material and curricula and to analyze and study technical training programs. Uses learning content management system software technology to revise existing instructional courses, and develops new training courses. Conducts studies, evaluates and recommends program improvements that impact a wide range of training activities. Develops innovative and effective methods to improve training programs and to ensure consistent high quality technical training to the FAA technical workforce. Develops technical training material and curriculum to prepare reports and recommendations on the use of
new and/or improved teaching techniques. Analyzes and validates instructional content as required.

Researches and analyzes new technologies to evaluate their impact on FAA’s short and long term training development. Incorporates existing and new emerging learning technologies to delivery training strategies. Ensures all training programs leverage appropriate adult learning principles. Applies project management principles to monitor and oversee the work of contract instructional designers tasked with developing ATC/ATSS training materials. Manages the overall training project list for training being developed by both contract and internal resources.

Contacts are internal and external and include representatives from all ATO service units, labor organizations, the military and aviation industry. The ISS often represents the Service Unit as a principal point of contact to provide advice and guidance on instructional design standard development. Consults with subject matter experts to design and develop training materials. Often represents AJI on training committees and in meetings to discuss and implement technical training for the operational workforce. Develops briefings that convey strategic vision and/or organizational policies and new initiatives to internal and external audiences.

Although broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, the ISS is often required to develop new approaches that take into consideration FAA policies, Government-wide rules and regulations, and external concerns. The ISS may create new solutions and policy interpretations as situations require. Has broad discretion to ensure the alignment of organizational goals and policies and the requirements of the project or other work activities. The Team Manager reviews work only at completion for success in achieving planned results. Has broad discretion to ensure the alignment of organizational goals and policies and the requirements of the projects and/or other work activities.

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

Qualifications

Qualifications
Candidates must have one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (FV-I or FG/GS-13) that 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 perform the duties of the position successfully. 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 analyzing and validating instructional content for technical occupations to prepare reports and recommendations on the use of new or improved teaching techniques.
  • Experience in applying project management principles to lead and monitor the work of contract instructional designers tasked with developing training materials.

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.**


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; or (3) alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of the announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required before appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax them to the fax number provided in the announcement (please include the announcement number on each page).

Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation.

Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Degree that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. The course work must have included study in at least four of the following five areas:

  1. Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material.
  2. Instructional design practices: Study of the principles and techniques used in designing training programs, developing design strategy and models, and applying design methods to the improvement of instructional effectiveness.
  3. Educational evaluation: Study of the techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of instructional/educational programs, including developing written and performance tests and survey instruments, and determining reliability and validity of evaluation instruments.
  4. Instructional product development: Study of the techniques appropriate for developing training materials, including identifying learner characteristics, specifying objectives, applying training strategy, validating training materials, and evaluating training.
  5. Computers in education and training: Study of the application of computers in education and training, including selecting appropriate computer software.

If you are a current or former Federal employee, and you currently hold or previously held a position classified in the 1750 occupational series, you are not required to submit a college transcript provided you upload a copy of the SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, verifying your classification in the 1750 occupational series.

Applicants, who are not currently in the 1750 occupational series in the Federal Government and fail to provide a copy of an unofficial or official transcript will not receive further consideration for this vacancy. Upon selection, if not currently employed in the 1750 occupational series, you will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment. If you do not have an official transcript (original, with the raised seal), you should contact your school immediately to request it.

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

NOTES:

1) 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.

2) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: htm://jobs.faa.gov/F AACoreComgensation.htm.

3) This Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

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

Tiwanda Yarborough
Phone
1 (202) 267-4609
Fax
1 (202) 267-8330
Email
tiwanda.yarborough@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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