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Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Air Traffic Organization. Safety and Technical Training Service Unit, Safety Directorate, AJI-1000

Summary

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization, Safety and Technical Training, Safety Directorate, in either the Central, Eastern, or Western Service Area Safety Group. These Groups are responsible for monitoring safety reports and analyzing data and risk indicators to identify root causes of hazards and safety issues.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 06/05/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 5, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Announcement number
AWA-AJI-26-3917TY-98831
Control number
870589400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to permanent FAA employees

Duties

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As an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) in one of three Safety Service Area Air Traffic Quality Assurance Teams, the Specialist applies comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control staff programs, air traffic procedures, and quality assurance, to provide regional-level expertise to evaluate facility operations and events for risk and to aggregate information necessary to create safety trend data. Performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments. This work contributes directly to the accomplishment of air traffic and other FAA objectives and the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations.

Participates as an SME for Barrier Analysis Review (BAR). As a technical authority on air traffic operations and procedures, the ATCS applies comprehensive knowledge of and experience with facility operations and controller compliance with air traffic separation procedures to engage facility management about risks in their operations and processes. Identifies opportunities for mitigation. Participates in BAR to analyze and identify what operational and procedural barriers are effective. Assists in identifying those barriers which need strengthening.

Contacts are internal and external to the FAA. Often represents AJI as a senior point of contact on aviation quality assurance initiatives and technical evaluations of both Federal and non-Federal facilities and equipment. Contacts include facility managers, system users, and facility quality control groups (QCG). 

As an authority in air traffic quality assurance programs, the ATCS works independently, although the work is subject to review by program officials and representatives for quality of results, compatibility with regional and national goals, conformance with established policies, and consonance with program objectives. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities within established schedules. The Team Manager, typically reviews work through status reports and at completion. 

Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for completing work objectives, but allow considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. Draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems.

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.
  • Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.
  • Dependent on duty location, selectee(s) will be assigned to either: AJI-1C10; AJI-1E10; or AJI-1W10

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 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 with air traffic separation procedures to engage facility management about risks in operations and processes.
  • Experience analyzing safety data, identifying safety hazards, and recommending actions to mitigate hazards.

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. **

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

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.

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:

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 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.

2) 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.

3) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm3)

4) This position is not covered by PL 92-267 for early retirement purposes, and is therefore, not eligible for "good time" credit.

5) Position is ineligible for true time and one half.

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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