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Director, System Operations Security

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Air Traffic Organization

Summary

The Air Traffic Organization comprises 35,000 controllers, technicians, engineers, and support personnel whose daily efforts ensure that aircraft are safe, separated, and on time. System Operations Services leads the FAA in a broad range of operational services, including all national air traffic flow management initiatives, policy and concept development for airport surface flow management programs, all national flight service functions, and operational oversight of National Airspace security.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 07/13/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 13, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted according to agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Fully-Paid PCS - Permanent Change of Station - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, full relocation will be paid (actual expenses). Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Salary
$153,700 - $216,400 per year

Base salary is set within the range based on qualifications and experience. Applicable locality pay will be added for a total salary up to $228,000

Pay scale & grade
EV 02
Promotion potential
NA
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
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Senior Executive Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Announcement number
EXE-ATO-26-2-98858
Control number
875264600

Duties

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The Director, System Operations Security, is responsible for managing all programs related to air traffic national security and leads System Operations Services in protecting the United States and its interests from security threats involving the Air Domain. The Director leads, manages, and executes the Air Traffic Organization's (ATO) core functions in air domain security policy, classified operations, real-time operational security management of the National Airspace System, and the collection and analysis of security data.

Principal Responsibilities

  • Directs ATO's use of Air Traffic Management capabilities to deter, detect, respond to, defeat, mitigate, and recover from threats, such as hostile aircraft involving the Air Domain.
  • Manages sensitive and classified national defense, homeland security, and emergency operations-related missions involving the Air Domain.
  • Oversees emergency operations activities to ensure that essential air navigation services are sustained during major incidents. Implements necessary airspace restrictions.   
  • Establishes policies, plans, and procedures that enable effective national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, and emergency operations efforts.
  • Leads participation in internal and interagency development and implementation of Air Domain security and emergency operations policies, plans, standards, and procedures.
  • Manages the National Response Framework-related efforts, including crisis management support for the agency's leadership; coordination and execution of national emergency operations; development of interagency contingency plans; and deployment of personnel to key crisis management nodes.
  • Leads all counter UAS policy, intra and interagency coordination, and maintains operational oversight of counter UAS missions for the ATO.
  • Represents the FAA in meetings, committees, groups, and forums by serving as an authority on air transportation security matters.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • You will be required to serve a one-year FAA Executive System (FAAES) probationary period unless you have previously completed a probationary period in either the FAAES or the Senior Executive Service (SES).
  • You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you must clearly articulate and describe within your two (2) page resume evidence that you possess the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs) and Mandatory Technical Requirements (TRs) related to this position. Your resume should include examples of experience and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. Applicants who do not possess these criteria are ineligible for further consideration.

Please do not submit separate documents addressing the Technical Requirement (TR) and Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs), only your two (2) page resume will be accepted and considered.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS (TR):

  • TR #1: Demonstrated experience leading, overseeing, and providing strategic direction for an organization responsible for national security and emergency response to protect the United States and its interests from threats and hazards associated with Air Traffic Management.
  • TR #2: Demonstrated experience leading and managing the safe-handling, safe operation, or protection and control of classified or sensitive information in support of the safe and efficient operation of the National Airspace System. 

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DIMENSIONS (ELDs)

  • ELD 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This ELD requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
  • ELD 2: Driving Efficiency -This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
  • ELD 3: Merit and Competence - This ELD involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
  • ELD 4: Leading People - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization¿s vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
  • ELD 5: Achieving Results - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: Applicants who are current members of the FAA Executive System (FAAES), Career Senior Executive Service (SES), individuals certified through successful completion of an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or those with Career SES reinstatement eligibility are not required to address the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs). Such applicants must provide documentation verifying eligibility for a noncompetitive appointment to the FAAES (e.g., SF-50 or certification from OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB).

Education

An education requirement has not been established for this occupational series.

Preview job questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Veterans preference does not apply to the FAA Executive System.

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.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

PCS entitlements will be paid if the agency requires relocation.

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.



Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you possess the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs) and Mandatory Technical Requirements (TRs) listed above, your application package may be further evaluated by an Executive Rating Panel. Additionally, Hiring Managers may choose to interview highly qualified candidates via one or more interviews.

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

Executive Resources Division
Phone
1 (202) 267-7856
Fax
1 (202) 267-5748
Email
9-AHR-Executive-Recruitment@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
Executive Resources Division
800 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 523
AHR-200
Washington, DC 20591
US

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http://www.faa.gov/jobs

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