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Airway Transportation Systems Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO, WSA, Los Angeles District, Los Angeles ARTCC SOC (WWV21-ZLA)

Summary

The Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (ATSS) at this level is recognized as the subject matter expert in their field. All duties of an ATSS are tied to maintaining safe and efficient operating capacity of the vast and complex network of electronics systems required for the world's largest air traffic control and navigation system.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/05/2025 to 12/26/2025
Salary
$104,516 to - $161,984 per year

Salary includes locality rate of 36.47%.

Pay scale & grade
FV I
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Palmdale, CA
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
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.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Fixed Rate PCS - Permanent Change of Station (Current Federal Employee) - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, a fixed relocation payment of $27,000 will be paid. Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
No
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes - This is a bargaining unit position, represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (http://www.passnational.org).
Announcement number
AWP-ATO-26-BAR5801-96503
Control number
851665400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees within ATO (ATO-Wide).

Duties

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ATSS personnel install, evaluate, maintain, modify and certify facilities, services and equipment that support the National Airspace System (NAS). They are also responsible for various duties that contribute to providing reliable and safe FAA services to the flying public.

Serves as an ATSS (NAS Area Specialist), in a Service Operations Center (SOC). Performs a variety of functions directly relating to the operations of the NAS. Focus is on the availability and reliability of the services and products provided to users of the NAS.

Recognized as the principal technical specialist on legacy and newly developed systems within a large facility or multiple facilities over a large geographical area. Responsible for the planning, directing, coordinating, monitoring, and maintenance activities associated with the management of assigned NAS systems/facilities.

Performs work of broad scope and complexity with a high degree of independence. Applies broad experience and comprehensive technical knowledge to maintain and protect the integrity and safety of all components and systems for the NAS service delivery. Provides the highest organization level of technical support associated with analyzing, installing, repairing, fabricating, maintaining, modifying, or evaluating the most complex systems for which the FAA is responsible.

Plans, coordinates and performs work with a high degree of independence, keeping the supervisor advised only of the most critical issues. Resolves unique technical problems without managerial intervention, providing coordination and suggested solutions.

Rapidly analyzes and seeks resolution to problems as they arise, and makes adjustments as necessary to deal with system outages and network performance deterioration. Initiates action for the timely repair or restoration of services and systems, taking into account the availability of back-up systems, possible reconfigurations to minimize service interruptions, and the relative criticality of particular functions to the safe and efficient operation of the NAS. Incumbent is responsible for timely upward reporting of NAS information that could have an impact to operations for purposes of Situation Awareness (i.e. NOTAM, SAL Paging function). Incumbent-in-charge is expected to be management's representative during non-administrative hours.

Integrate Operational Risk Management (ORM) into restoration, schedule maintenance activities, and all planned projects, ensuring that all customers and users of services are included and involved in ORM implementation and planning.

Contacts are both internal and external. Often represents the organization as the primary point of contact on projects, programs, and other work activities to coordinate and implement plans or obtain information and resolve problems.

The Operations area serves as a principal organizational element of the Technical Operations Organizational to plan, direct, coordinate, monitor, and accomplish activities associated with real-time management of assigned NAS systems/facilities at the service integrity level. Reports to the Service Operations Center Manager.

Receives general program assignments from a supervisor or higher level manager. Assignments are stated in terms of priorities, overall objectives, and boundaries. Completed assignments are considered technically authoritative and are reviewed only for general compliance with organizational objectives. Identifies resources needed to perform assignments. Organizes and assigns resources needed to accomplish large work activities within established schedules. Work is reviewed for compliance with established policies and sound technical judgement.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Incumbent must possess a valid driver's license.

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.
  • A valid state driver's license is required

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility that demonstrates an extensive knowledge of and experience in technology system interrelationships, and management of civilian or military automated aviation, navigation and electronics systems. Generally, experience at the next lower level, pay band FV-H/level III or FG/GS-12 equivalent, meets the minimum qualifications for this position as long as the experience supports the demonstrated abilities.

In addition to your resume, in the space provided under each Demonstrated Ability, you MUST provide a NARRATIVE justification on how you meet this ability. The justification should be clear and concise, providing a description of your education, training, and experience that would describe the degree to which you possess each Demonstrated Ability listed below. Eligible candidates may be ranked based on demonstrated abilities.

For assistance in responding to each of the Demonstrated Abilities "things to consider"/instructions have been provided for each of the demonstrated abilities at:

https://employees.faa.gov/org/staffoffices/ahr/program_policies/policy_guidance/hr_policies/media/AppendixVPromotionCriteria.pdf

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Supervisor Endorsement: A supervisory statement endorsing the applicant for this announcement is required by the closing date of this announcement. The endorsement must include the announcement number. Please upload your document(s) with your application by the closing date of the announcement. A Supervisor's Endorsement can be a memorandum or regionally generated form, and must include the announcement number. Candidates who are not endorsed by their supervisor will not be considered.

Education

Education may not 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 the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, 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, 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.

Narratives for Demonstrated Abilities are Mandatory. Failure to submit demonstrated abilities statements will prevent you from receiving further consideration. Answer all questions to the best of your ability. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you possess this type of experience at a later stage 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.

Current FAA employee: You MUST submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2). Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in non-consideration for this position.

Interviews: If one applicant is interviewed, all applicants must be interviewed.

Security Requirements: Moderate Risk (5): This position requires completion & favorable adjudication of a National Agency Check with Inquiry (NACI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

Failure to submit all required documents by the closing date of the announcement will result in in loss of consideration.

Equal or lower pay band/level applications will be accepted.

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.

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