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Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO, System Operations Services, System Operations Security, System Operations Support Center (SOSC)

Summary

Leads the Air Traffic Organization's operations-centric efforts in the national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, disaster response, and other significant incident management arenas. During a national-scale security event, the SOSC is on immediate recall in order to provide support to national defense and homeland security. SOSC is staffed 24/7/365 and is on-call after hours in support of System Operations Security under the direction of the Tactical Operations Manager, AJR-24.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 06/26/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 26, 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
$127,898 - $198,281 per year

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

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Promotion potential
NA
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
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.
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
Top Secret
Announcement number
AWA-AJR-26-0429CM-97433
Control number
873324200

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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This Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) serves as the Air Traffic Security Specialist (ATSS) within the System Operations Support Center (SOSC), exercising independent operational authority in support of the National Airspace System (NAS), the Domestic Events Network (DEN), and the Joint Air Traffic Crisis Action Team (JACAT). Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures, national defense protocols, and aviation security operations to ensure the NAS maintains a safe, orderly, and efficient flow of domestic, military, and international air traffic. Provides real-time operational support and decision-making during emerging security events, airspace anomalies, and national defense-related activities impacting NAS operations.

Receives, validates, writes, and publishes United States Secret Service (USSS) requests for Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and associated NOTAMs supporting all movements for the President of the United States (POTUS), Vice President of the United States (VPOTUS), and First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) travel. Coordinates with the White House Military Office (WHMO)to receive, prepare, and transmit highly sensitive executive travel itineraries, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and secure dissemination to operational stakeholders. Ensures all executive movement TFRs meet regulatory, security, and operational requirements and are integrated seamlessly into NAS operations.

Participates in the development, review, and publication of national security event TFRs (14 CFR 99.7), ensuring compliance with federal security directives and operational feasibility. Conducts quality control reviews of all TFRs issued nationwide, identifying errors, inconsistencies, or operational risks, and coordinating corrections with originating authorities. Serves as the reviewing authority for national law enforcement TFRs (14 CFR 91.137(a)(1)), coordinating final approval with designated officials and ensuring timely issuance.

Transmits electronic alerts for highly sensitive TFR/NOTAM activity to AJR-2 leadership to maintain strategic situational awareness. Maintains, updates graphics, and data to ensure accurate visualization of all active TFRs across the United States. Monitors national airspace activity for indicators of emerging threats, anomalies, or unauthorized operations requiring escalation.

Possesses comprehensive knowledge of Special Flight Rules Areas (SFRAs), Flight Restricted Zones (FRZs), National Security Areas, Prohibited Areas, and Restricted Use Airspace to determine permissible operations and waiver requirements. Reviews, analyzes, and authorizes prohibited and restricted airspace access requests submitted through the Airspace Access Program (AAP). Receives, evaluates, and approves Special Interest Flight (SIF) routing requests for entry, departure, or overflight of U.S. territorial airspace, ensuring compliance with national security protocols. Identifies and escalates suspicious or unusual SIF activity to AJR-24 management and provides operational guidance to DEN Air Traffic Security Coordinators (ATSCs) during non-standard events.

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. The work is typically reviewed through status reports and at completion. Work contributes directly to the accomplishment of air traffic and other FAA objectives and the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations. Plans own use of time and resources to accomplish objectives. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities within established schedules.

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.
  • Position is eligible 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-I, FG/GS-13 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled, 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 control procedures, airspace classifications, and aviation security protocols to support real-time operational decisions affecting the safe and efficient flow of domestic, military, or international air traffic.

--Experience interpreting, developing, or implementing airspace security procedures to support security measures, executive travel, or special events.

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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.

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 THISPOSITION, 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 does not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. 

**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.

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.

This is a Level 4 (Special Sensitive; Secret/TS/SCI) position requires favorable adjudication of a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) background investigation prior to appointment unless a waiver is obtained.

This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation Plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the website: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits

Management may choose to interview all, some, or none of the referred candidates.

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) 267-7032
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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