Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department of the Navy
Naval Air Systems Command

Summary

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
11/10/2025 to 02/09/2026
Salary
$71,244 to - $159,716 per year
Pay scale & grade
DS 3 - 5
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
China Lake, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses (i.e. PCS) or relocation incentives as described in 5 USC 5753 may be authorized in accordance with applicable travel regulations.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
5
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DE-12830296-26-HLM
Control number
849698300

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

U.S. CITIZENS

Duties

Help
  • You will provide the aircraft precision vectors or recommending changes in heading, speed and/or altitude to help ensure the successful execution of the test plan.
  • You will advise aircrews of flight restrictions, down radar systems, and real time changes of test resources.
  • You will use a computer monitoring system equipped with overlays or video mappings, which depict runways, navigational aids, airspace boundaries, topographic features and other data pertinent to the control situation.
  • You will identify drone targets, determine aircraft speeds, and initiate procedures to avoid endangering personnel and property.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You will be required to successfully complete a pre-appointment physical examination.
  • You will 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.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a current Military Radar Unit (MRU) Controller certification.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a current Test Controller (TC) certification.
  • Air traffic control specialists must possess the facility ratings required at the facility where the position is located. You will be required to maintain a valid Air Traffic Control Specialist and/or Control Tower Operator Certificate.
  • Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test. You will be subject to random testing.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.

Qualifications

For DS-3:
Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the DS-2 grade level or (GS 5-8) pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Directing aircraft with considerations for Restricted and Special Use Airspace; 2) Utilizing laws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing the movement of air traffic and air traffic control operations.

For DS-4:
Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the DS-3 grade level or (GS-9/10) pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Demonstrating knowledge of Restricted and Special Use Airspace; 2) Advising pilots of traffic patterns, weather/airfield conditions, and/or giving clearance for military or civilian air traffic.

For DS-5:
Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the DS-4 grade level or (GS-11/12) pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Advising pilots of traffic patterns, weather/airfield conditions, and/or giving clearance for military or civilian air traffic; 2) Demonstrating knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing the movement of air traffic and Air Traffic Control operations.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2100/air-traffic-control-series-2152/

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.

Several vacancies may be filled.

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf.

Veteran's preference does not apply when selecting individuals under this specific hiring authority. However, if you claim veteran's preference, you will be required to submit supporting documentation with your application as described in the Required Documents section below.

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.

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages. Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience.

As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation.

If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.

If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible/not qualified.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All qualification requirements must be met before being considered for any vacancies.

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.