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AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Education and Training Command

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 06/18/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 18, 2026
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$103,225 - $134,195 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Promotion potential
12
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
9P-AFPC-12983200-335394-LEB
Control number
872786100

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as Command headquarters level Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) Manager and senior program analyst planning, organizing, and determining necessary policies, regulations, directives, programs, doctrine, and procedures for the establishment and maintenance of assigned major Command (MAJCOM) programs involving Air Force TERPS, as related to Air Traffic Control (ATC), Airfield Operations, and Airspace Management.

DUTIES:

  • Creates, organizes, and directs activities of the TERPS program, to include making decisions and recommendations significantly changing, interpreting and developing important policies and guidance in regards to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Defense, and Air Force TERPS programs.
  • Independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work associated with the National Airspace System (NAS), DoD and Air Force flight operations
  • Incumbent must use judgment and ingenuity to interpret the intent of Federal, DoD and Air Force policy to develop applications specific to Command airfield and flight operations
  • The work requires origination of new techniques to establish or develop new criteria for Command and subordinate wing-level TERPS programs
  • Develops and approves instrument approach and departure procedures for the Command, and implements guidance that directly impacts International, Federal, DoD, and Air Force flight standards subject matter experts

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • Applicant must have held a valid FAA ATC Specialist certificate and/or Control Tower Operator certificate.
  • Applicant must have extensive knowledge and experience in Air Traffic Control, to include operations in the National Airspace System (NAS)
  • Must obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance at minimum
  • This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
  • Previous experience with non-DOD developed Terminal Instrument Procedures is preferred.
  • Applicant should have experience with Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems (ATCALS) Siting and Obstacle Evaluation criteria
  • The incumbent is required to represent AETC at appropriate national and international forums
  • Duties will occasionally require travel away from normal duty station for an extended period of time and may require travel on military or commercial aircraft
  • Applicant must have a high degree of written and oral communication skills to be able to defend abstract concepts in joint services and international forums
  • Applicant will be required to respond to short notice recall, supporting unscheduled contingencies and work assignments as assigned by the Branch Chief
  • Five years of Terminal Instrument Procedures development experience is desired
  • At least 1 year of Terminal Instrument Procedures development experience at MAJCOM is desired

Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (Cont'd)

  • Applicant must complete all training requirements to maintain proficiency for instrument procedure design duties. Must have completed Air Force Terminal Instrument Procedures course or Air Force Automated Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) course, or equivalent.
In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR), Air Traffic Control Series, 2152.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrated 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; creates, organizes, and directs activities of the TERPS program for HQ AETC and makes decisions and recommendations significantly changing, interpreting and developing important policies and programs regarding ICAO, FAA, DoD, and Air Force TERPS policy; applies theories and new developments for FAA-certified air traffic control and airfield operations; analyzes, develops, and evaluates public policy as it pertains to the National Airspace System (NAS); assignment requires extensive knowledge and skills in applying analytic geometry and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the development/revision of instrument procedures.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  • Knowledge of concepts and principles contained in Air Force instructions, FAA handbooks, regulations and orders, and other publications pertaining to flight information publication requirements; and of approach procedure flyability, ATC policies and procedures, flight inspection requirements, geography, electronic data processing and navigational aids characteristics in order to certify instrument flight procedures.
  • Practical experience in applying civil engineering rules and regulations relating to airport actual and imaginary surfaces, airfield waivers and airfield construction; and with the use and function of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Aeronautical Information Publication Library.
  • Knowledge and practical experience in applying Air Traffic Control procedures, laws, rules, and regulations, USAF Airfield Management, FAA Orders/Advisory Circulars rules and regulations pertaining to development/revisions of instrument procedures and air traffic operations. The ability and experience to apply qualitative and quantitative techniques to international, national, joint DoD, and Air Force instrument procedure design concepts and air traffic control policies.
  • Current and relevant experience in TERPS development/revision at Unit, MAJCOM, USAF, Service Headquarters or equivalent DoD/Federal level. The ability and experience to staff procedures for coordination and obtain acceptance of proposals from Service Headquarters, MAJCOMs and applicable Field Operating Agencies (FOAs).
  • Expert level user of Air Force TERPS Global Procedure Designer automation software. Apply knowledge and skills in analytic geometry and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of development/revision of instrument procedures and operational/performance characteristics of aircraft, navigational aids, ATC RADAR, and weather.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and disseminate information clearly and concisely through written reports, memos, and procedures as well as presentations/briefings. Effective and knowledgeable communicator, both oral and in writing, pertaining to development and acceptance of proposals to HQ AFFSA, FAA, MAJCOMs, AFRES, ANG, other DoD/Federal agencies. Ability to represent AETC at multi-agency decision making meetings.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

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.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING:
Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

Air Education and Training Command

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win...Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

  • AF DCIPS Interchange
  • AF Internal Employee
  • EO 13473 Appointment of Certain Military Spouses
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Employee
  • Military Spouse Preference
  • PPP DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians
  • PPP DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • PPP Mil Res (MR) and Nat Guard (NG) Pref Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Phone
1-800-525-0102
Email
DO.NOT.EMAIL@CALL.ONLY
Address
JBSA Randolph AFB
550 D Street East
JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150
US

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