Air Traffic Control Specialist

Air Traffic Control Specialist

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Vint Hill Farms Military Installation, Virginia

Salary Range: $150392 - $228000 Per Year

Job Summary: As the ATO's centralized command and control element, JATOC helps the ATO effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from any incident that impacts the National Airspace System (NAS). During an incident, experts from all ATO operational Service Units gather details and provide a single source of integrated information and reliable communications to ATO leadership to make critical, informed, and responsible decisions.

Major Duties:

• The Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) applies experience and expert knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations, as well as FAA programs, regulations, and missions. As the Joint Air Traffic Operations Command Specialist (JATOC) collaborates with a highly technical workforce that provides air traffic services. Uses knowledge in identifying and resolving highly complex problems that often cross organizational boundaries and affect the accomplishment of agency objectives. Performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments, such as providing situational awareness and intelligence by interacting with various support organizations to ensure operational interests. Works with management in implementing program initiatives and projects involving the evaluation of proposed program changes to national air traffic policies, procedures, and equipment. The work contributes directly to the accomplishment of air traffic and other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) objectives, and the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). The JATOC specialist advocates to the FAA Air Traffic Control facility management and staff on real-time operational issues. Maintains real-time awareness on NAS status (OIS, Weather products, TMI, Planning TELCONS, etc.). Collaborates with all other JATOC team members to develop timely, clear, and concise information for effective management of real-time events. Works with ATC facility personnel on complex decision-making in analyzing and resolving real-time ATC operational issues. Provides guidance to ATO personnel for the formulation of messaging related to event notifications and event management. Serves as a consultant on issues immediately affecting facility operations and provides rapid responses to all operationally related inquiries and real-time issues. Provides support to facilities and leadership within AJO, as well as JATOC Elements. Collaborates with subject matter experts to develop solutions to problems and manage events affecting facilities and airspace. Engages in discussions intended to produce decisions/actions affecting facility operations. Provides a review of Staffing Trigger information prior to submission for implementation of traffic management initiatives. Coordinates communication efforts and maintains connections between resources to ensure seamless connectivity among various service units. This promotes situational awareness and enhances information sharing across the organization. Applies expert knowledge of staff programs (e.g., procedures, traffic management, quality assurance, training, automation) to carry out regional or national programs. Coordinates, monitors, and tracks air traffic management activities and programs. Facilitates collaboration with ATO service unit personnel to align incident management goals and provide necessary support. Acts as an active participant during Emergency Notification System (ENS) calls to inform and provide status to ATO/FAA leadership of significant events in the NAS. Assists management with incident management activities during all-hazards events, including natural and human-caused events, as well as planned events. Participates in all JATOC exercises and drills conducted to ensure national preparedness in the event of a significant incident in the NAS. As a recognized expert in the FAA, is often called to represent the FAA at the national level as the agency's focal point for major projects or programs. Recommends organizational positions on major programs and issues to agency management. Prepares and reviews reports or policies for internal and external distribution. Represents air traffic operational interests effectively with other organizations. Collaborates with union officials and representatives to achieve objectives.

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-J, FG/GS-14 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and 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 coordinating, monitoring, and tracking air traffic management activities and programs. --Experience participating in exercises and drills conducted to ensure national preparedness in case of a natural or human-caused events. 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. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration. Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. 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 THIS POSITION, 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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

How to Apply: Applicants may be required to complete one or multiple assessments as part of the evaluation process. This assessment aims to evaluate the competencies and qualifications essential for the position. You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register. RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES. IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week. Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA. Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible. You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-01