Air Traffic Control Specialist (Launch and Reentry Operations Specialist)
Department: Department of Transportation
Location(s): Vint Hill Farms Military Installation, Virginia
Salary Range: $127898 - $198281 Per Year
Job Summary: This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization, System Operations Service, NAS Operations, Space Operations Group (AJR-1800). This Group leads the operational integration of commercial space operators into the National Airspace System (NAS). The Group is also responsible for providing real-time support to launch and reentry activities, hazard area analysis, NAS impact analysis, foreign airspace and post operations analysis.
Major Duties:
- Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) serves as a senior point of contact for international coordination related to U.S.-based space operations that impact foreign airspace. Ensures the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) operational oversight of space activities includes perspectives, needs, and procedural alignment with foreign Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and Flight Information Regions (FIRs). Supports licensing and safety activities by ensuring proper coordination of hazardous airspace and facilitating the timely issuance of required Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs), including coordination with international partners for operations affecting airspace beyond the U.S. FIR. Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations, global airspace management practices, and international aviation regulations, as well as FAA programs, regulations, and missions; and comprehensive knowledge of staff program to carry out regional or national programs. Evaluates National Airspace System (NAS) operational needs or impacts and participates in the development of innovative solutions to address them. Performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments, working directly with space operators to identify and mitigate impacts of hazardous airspace that extends beyond U.S. FIR boundaries. Facilitates timely issuance and accuracy of international NOTAMs in coordination with foreign FIRs and ANSPs. Uses air traffic management systems and data-analysis tools to support real-time operational decision-making and strategic planning for launch and reentry integration within the National Airspace System. Provides timely updates and technical recommendations to FAA leadership on international space operations, including impacts to the NAS and the status of required coordination activities. Leads inter-departmental teams to develop and implement risk mitigation strategies, ensuring safety and efficiency during space launch and reentry operations. Participates in weekly international operational dialogues to discuss planned launches, potential impacts on foreign airspace, and coordination needs. Support the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) and Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Service Units by ensuring coordination requirements for launch and reentry operational needs are fulfilled. Conducts routine virtual coordination with international partners and may travel periodically to participate in meetings, workshops, and operational briefings. Maintains current knowledge of global airspace management practices and international aviation regulations applicable to space launch and reentry operations to ensure effective integration and coordination within the National Airspace System. Acts as an authority on airspace management to provide support to the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) and ATO service units by ensuring all operational coordination requirements for launch and reentry activities are identified, validated, and fulfilled to maintain the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System. Contacts are internal and external. Often represents the organization as a senior point of contact on projects, and programs. Plans own use of time and resources to accomplish objectives. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities within established schedules. Broad policies and objectives, provide general guidance for completing work objectives but allow considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. Draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems. Reports to the Space Operations Manager, who typically reviews the work through status reports and at project completion. Work contributes directly to the accomplishment of air traffic and other FAA objectives and the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations.
Qualifications: ALL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED. Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13 in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience may include but not limited to: Experience using air traffic management systems and data-analysis tools to provide data that support decision-making for integrating space launch and reentry activities into the National Airspace System (NAS).
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: 2026-04-30