Air Traffic Control Specialist (National Traffic Management Specialist, Level 12)
Department: Department of Transportation
Location(s): Vint Hill Farms Military Installation, Virginia
Salary Range: $174405 - $225700 Per Year
Job Summary: Serves as a Traffic Management Specialist at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center and is responsible for ensuring that efficient and effective traffic management is maintained throughout the National Air Space (NAS). Effective application of Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) prevents situations that could result in nationwide air traffic bottlenecks and slowdowns that could potentially result in inefficient movement of traffic.
Major Duties:
- The incumbent plays an integral operational role in the separation and control of air traffic in the NAS. He/she is responsible for the safe, orderly and expeditious movement of air traffic in a designated geographical area of the NAS through the coordination of the activities of the traffic management units in en route centers, major terminals and TRACONS. He/she effectively applies TMI's to reduce nationwide air traffic bottlenecks and slowdowns. The incumbent identifies developing air traffic management problems; receives terminal and en route centers' requests for traffic restrictions; evaluates the impact of the proposed restrictions; either approves the requests received or creates and selects alternative traffic management initiatives in collaboration with the traffic management units in the various affected facilities. He/she coordinates with facilities and stakeholders throughout the NAS of the restrictions and situations. These activities take place in real time and the immediate term, in response to existing and developing short and long term constraints. The incumbent is responsible for the safe, efficient and equitable access for all users to the national air traffic control system. The work involves substantial analysis and expeditious movement of air traffic in situations involving system constraints. This process involves the consideration of the interaction and interdependence of a variety of environmental, geographical, and technological factors. Assignments are complicated by the criticality of and rapid nature with which decisions must be made and actions taken; the degree to which optional plans for the movement and control of aircraft are reduced; and the complexity of the control procedures required. Analyzes and monitors air traffic flow, airport/weather conditions and traffic forecasts throughout the NAS to ensure acceptable levels of traffic are provided, delays are mitigated, and developing air traffic management problems are identified. Using collaborative decision making, the Traffic Management Specialist coordinates adjustments to traffic management initiatives with system users and traffic management coordinators in the terminal and en route Traffic Management Units. He/she coordinates or imposes a number of short-term restrictions in various geographic areas throughout the day, in response to situations as they develop. Issues traffic flow restrictions to space hold and reroute aircraft to equitably distribute the flow of traffic throughout the NAS. Uses automation systems and applies computerized information to enhance aircraft movement throughout the system. Advises and updates users and FAA field facilities in a timely manner on all conditions affecting aircraft movements within the NAS. Manages traffic flows into International Airspace areas in concert with International States. He/she will provide on-the-job (OJT) training to other personnel as necessary; work under the administrative supervision of the National Traffic Management Officer who provides direction for assignments, in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.
Qualifications: Candidates must have been facility rated or area certified as a CPC/TMC/S at an ATO terminal/en route facility. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this 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. We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes. 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. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.
Application Deadline: 2026-01-05