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Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal)

Department of the Army
United States Army Installation Management Command

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for positions in Support of Aircraft Operations to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: This position is with the Garrison, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobility and Security, Airfield Division for the Air Field at Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/27/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 27, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$86,123 - $111,966 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - 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
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
MCFU 26 12996920 DHA
Control number
875590200

Duties

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  • Control air traffic under both visual and instrument flight rules coupled with ground control approach radar.
  • As a flight data specialist, receive, post, and relay flight data to the local controller and ground control/clearance delivery.
  • As a Ground Controller, perform ground control/clearance delivery duties, assuring effective movement of aircraft on all areas of the airport.
  • As a GCA controller, establish contact with and control aircraft to touchdown at the airfield after coordinated release from approach control.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment drug test screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and drug testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
  • Selectee is required to successfully complete a pre-employment Army Flight physical prior to being placed into this position. Incumbent is subject to periodic (e.g. annual) flight medical examinations after appointment.
  • Must possess and maintain Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) certification.
  • A secret clearance is required throughout this appointment.
  • This position requires that the applicant must have actively controlled traffic in an Air Traffic Control Tower facility within the last 36 months, and is required to upload a copy of the FAA CTO certificate for that facility with the application
  • This position has been designated Mission Essential.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 10% of the time.
  • This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations. Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis.
  • In accordance with AR 690-11, this position has been designated as "Key" and shall not be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization as doing so would seriously impair the capability of the organization to function effectively.
  • Due to the nature of this position, employees are required to work both planned and unscheduled overtime.
  • The employee must obtain and maintain Cyber work roles (except Data, AI, and/or Software Engineering) at proficiency level: 1) within 9 months, 2) within 12 months, 3) 20hours of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) per work role code.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: Have one year of specialized experience which includes the following. 1) Assist with issuing control instructions or advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to assure proper separation of aircraft or to expedite safe and efficient movement; 2) provide research or information to coordinate plans and actions with pilots or other controllers; and 3) use systems such as Airspace Information Center (AIC) to perform controller duties under instruction. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-10).

Additional Information and requirements:

This position has been identified by Department of Army as an Air Traffic Controller as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2109(1)(A) and (1)(B) who is actively engaged in the separation and control of air traffic; or in providing preflight, inflight, or airport advisory service aircraft operators; or is the immediate or second-level supervisor of any employee described above. As described under 5 U.S.C. 8401(35)(B), this also includes the immediate supervisor of the person described in 5 U.S.C. 2109(1)(B). As such, this position is covered under special retirement coverage. The individual hired is subject to Special Retirement provisions to include additional contributions to the retirement fund, mandatory separation/retirement at age 56 with 20 years of approved special retirement service, options for early retirement at any age after 25 years of approved special retirement provisions service, or at age 50 with 20 years of approved special retirement provisions service.

Department of Defense (DoD), in accordance with 5 USC 3307, has determined an individual must be appointed to their first/original appointment into a DoD position that has been identified and approved for special retirement coverage as an Air Traffic Controller no later than the last day of the month in which they become 36. Preference eligible veterans over the age of 36, may apply regardless of the age restriction. If selected, a waiver of the age restriction will be requested by the hiring official for approval by the Department of Army. An individual who is past the maximum entry age (36) who previously served in an approved Department of Defense Air Traffic Controller position may be reinstated to a covered position provided they meet the applicable qualification requirements AND will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered service as an Air Traffic Controller by the last day of the month in which they become 56.

Department of Army may approve an exception to the maximum entry age (36) for original entry into a covered Air Traffic controller position. However, any individual who has reached the mandatory separation age (56) is not eligible for employment or reemployment as an Air Traffic Controller.


Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) 64- Aviation Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Student loan repayment may be authorized.
  • Eligible participants may receive a subsidy for mass transportation commuting expenses.
  • Credit for prior non-federal work experience and certain military service may be used to decide the amount of leave you may get.
  • Recruitment or relocation incentive may be given.

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 announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

United States Army Installation Management Command

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Email
USARMY.APG.CHRA-NE.MBX.APPLICANTHELP@ARMY.MIL
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
FU-W12KAA US ARMY IMCOM-USAG JBLM
DO NOT MAIL
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433
US

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