Skip to main content
U.S. flag
 

Supervisory Aviation Technical Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Safety Service Unit, Safety Directorate, Western Service Area Safety Group, AJI-1W00

Summary

This position is located in the Safety Service Unit, Safety Directorate, Western Service Area Safety Group (AJI-1W00). This Group monitors safety reports and analyzes data and risk indicators to identify root causes of hazards and safety issues in the Western Service Area. The Group takes risk-based decisions and coordinates safety-related activities to influence air traffic, technical operations service areas, and field-based safety mitigations.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 06/08/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 8, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$176,459 - $228,000 per year

The salary listed above includes a 31.57% locality payment for the Seattle, WA metropolitan area

Pay scale & grade
FV L
Promotion potential
NA
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
50% or less - The job may require up to 50% travel.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Announcement number
AWA-AJI-26-8971TY-98660
Control number
871059700

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Open to FAA permanent employees.

Duties

Help

The Supervisory Aviation Technical Systems Specialist oversees and directs the Western Service Area Safety Group. This Group is a multi-level organization consisting of subordinate team managers and a staff of highly technical National Airspace System (NAS) experts responsible for collecting and evaluating safety data to identify areas of highest risk and to recommend safety mitigations. Applies detailed knowledge of NAS operations, systems, and equipment to identify and analyze data and risk indicators and to monitor trends to improve runway safety by decreasing the number and severity of runway incursions and other surface incidents. Provides guidance to subordinate managers in identifying the root causes of hazards and safety issues, such as loss of separation, equipment malfunction, and runway incursions, and for preventing and resolving problems without the intervention of higher-level management except where ATO or FAA-wide interests are at stake. Uses knowledge of the barrier analysis process to direct subordinate staff and managers in the evaluation of events and incidents such as operational errors and deviations, pilot deviations, near mid-air collisions, and loss of connectivity. Reviews analytical data collected by the team to identify system-wide safety trends. This work is a critical area of safety oversight and directly impacts the safe and efficient operation of the National Airspace System (NAS). 

Applies a thorough understanding of the principles of management and strategic planning to integrate the work of multiple projects to accomplish objectives. Applies experience and detailed knowledge of management and human resource policies and principles to exercise the full range of supervisory responsibilities including assignment of work, selections, promotions, disciplinary actions; in addition to the strategic planning; communicating the organization's vision and objectives; setting priorities; assigning tasks and responsibilities; monitoring and evaluating performance of organizational units, managers, and employees; coaching and developing staff and organizational capabilities; approving leave; and taking or approving corrective/disciplinary actions as appropriate. Uses coaching skills to improve staff performance and workplace productivity.

The Manager applies knowledge of air traffic and technical operations processes, orders and directives to oversee data collection and evaluation to provide facilities with a comprehensive picture of systemic facility performance. Reviews facility data to identify and understand potential facility problems/issues and to recommend mitigations. Identifies areas of highest risk, understands potential facility problems/issues, and monitors mitigation efforts. Develops and approves solutions to current and anticipated problems which cross organizational lines and disciplines. Takes risk-based decisions and coordinates safety-related activities to influence air traffic, technical operations service areas, and field-based safety mitigations. Works with the Regional Administrator as well as air traffic and technical operations facilities to establish local safety councils and to create local safety orders. Reviews and either creates or modifies existing facility orders as appropriate. Applies knowledge of the National Runway Safety Program/Plan (NSRP) to direct the development, evaluation and deployment of new technology and systems designed to automatically alert pilots, air traffic controllers and individuals driving or working in the vicinity of taxiways and runways to potentially significant incidents and incursions. 

Requirements

Help

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.

Qualifications

Candidates must have one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (FV-K or FG/GS-15) 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 implementing air traffic and technical operations processes, orders, and directives. 
  • Experience directing the development, evaluation, and deployment of new technology and systems.

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 Leadership & Management Dimensions and/or Technical Requirements 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 the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each Leadership and Management Dimension and Technical Requirement.

In lieu of providing a narrative response in the text box listed below each Leadership and Management Dimension and/or Technical Requirement, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your 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) Unless previously completed, the incumbent must satisfactorily complete a 1-year probationary period to remain in this supervisory or managerial position.

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

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Federal Aviation Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.faa.gov/jobs

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.