Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal) (Title 5) (Permanent)

Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal) (Title 5) (Permanent)

Department: Department of the Army

Location(s): Blackstone, Virginia

Salary Range: $79744 - $103673 Per Year

Job Summary: THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for a Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal) (Title 5) (Permanent), Position Description Number HTATC0011 and is part of the VA MTC, National Guard.

Major Duties:

• As an Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal) (Title 5), GS-2152-11, you will perform the below duties: Performs air traffic control duties in the control tower. Directs movement of aircraft in flight and on the ground by utilizing pilot and controller reports, visual observation, and/or tower displays, or a combination of methods and in close coordination with other controllers. under restrictive time and space limitations, formulates and issues ATC clearances and instructions to provide for the required separation and or sequencing of all IFR and VFR traffic within delegated airspace. Assigns arrival and departure runways to various types of aircraft and adjusts speed to accommodate multiple types and performance level of civilian and military aircraft to affect separation and expeditious traffic flow as prescribed by regulation. Provides assistance to both experienced professional and inexperienced student pilots within the airspace and ensures expeditious traffic flows are maintained. Provides mandatory additional services and assistance to aircraft to include those experiencing in-flight emergencies, hijacking and unlawful seizure, pilot disorientation, and to those aircraft otherwise experiencing distress during flight. Assist adjacent ATC facilities in locating and recovering aircraft that are disoriented and/or in distress. Participates in a host of Transportation Security Agency (TSA) and FAA mandated homeland security procedures and implements Federal and local guidance and direction for aircraft operations within terminal areas. Formulates/relays/issues air traffic clearances and instructions in facility of assignment for aircraft operating IFR and/or VFR in addition to VFR advisory information. Executes the standardized ATC training program in accordance with guidelines established by regulations of the Department of Army (DA), Department of Defense (DoD), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Incumbent is responsible for the utilization of training materials that ensure controller-trainees are adequately trained and tested with the goal of creating a cohesive ATC team that provides multi-level ATC services to the aviation customer. Incumbent ensures all newly assigned trainees receive training in accordance with applicable regulations. Incumbent executes controller qualification, proficiency, and remedial training. Completion of training results in newly assigned personnel receiving their Control Tower Operator (CTO) certifications within prescribed time limits or elimination actions that require documentation of performance deficiencies. Assigns study assignments and administers practical exams to trainees to ensure proficiency is maintained. Conducts proficiency training on changes to FAA, DOD and DA regulations and provides guidance on implementation. Administers DA Form 3479-1, Trainee/Controller Evaluation and makes entries in accordance with TC 3-04.81; provides on-the-job training instruction and guidance to trainee controllers involved in qualification training for their FAA CTO certificate. The incumbent instructs trainees in methods, techniques, regulatory requirements, and monitors trainee performance. Operates, trains, and provides preventative maintenance on a host of automated communications and display hardware and software systems that are integral and vital to the operation of the air traffic control facility. Maintains communications with aircraft and adjacent facilities to transmit and receive instructions and information relative to flight. Determines when backup or alternate communications are required and places same in operation as appropriate. Investigates possible equipment outages and issues appropriate advisories to aircraft. Ensures adjacent facilities and aircraft operators are advised of additional support requirements during equipment outages. Provides training on systems to ensure controllers understand and apply correct equipment system operations. Evaluates weather reports from automated (ASOS, AWADS, IDS, etc.) or other sources (i.e. Pilot Reports) and ensures weather information is accurate, specific, and timely. Modifies, corrects, or augments as appropriate for official weather reporting. Provides dissemination of weather warnings, Center Weather Advisories (CWA), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), or Meteorological Information (MET) watch advisories. Requests, records, and disseminates Pilot Reports (PIREPS) as mandated by FAA and NWS directives. Conducts and directs aircraft mishap and hazardous air traffic systems reporting. Serves as the focal point on the airfield for ground or airborne aircraft mishaps, system reports on hazardous air traffic activities, and ATC and pilot incident inquiries. Ensures accurate and timely reports to agencies or various local, state, and federal departments having oversight responsibility. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: NOTE: Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. NOTE: All job seekers will be required to limit their resumes to 2 pages in length when applying for job opportunity announcements (JOAs) MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: The maximum age for original entry into an identified ATC position is 36 years. An individual shall NOT be appointed or assigned to an ATC position if that appointment cannot be completed prior to the last day of the month in which the individual reaches his/her 36th birthday. Applicants over the age limit must meet re-entry or age waiver requirements in accordance with DoDI 1400.25-V331 dated 26 Jan 15, Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Manual, Subchapter331, Civilian Air Traffic Controllers. Any individual who has reached the mandatory separation age (56) is NOT eligible for employment/reemployment as an ATC (5U.S.C. 3323(a) (reference (b)). NOTE: ATCs have a mandatory separation age of 56. This position is covered as an Air Traffic Controller under 5 USC 2109. This position is subject to the special retirement provisions for Air Traffic Controllers under CSRS and FERS (5 USC 3382,Involuntary Separation for Retirement; 5 USC 8335(a) and 8425(a), Mandatory Separation; 5 USC 8336(e), Immediate Retirement; 5 USC 8339(3) and 8415(d),Computation of annuity, and 8412(e). WHO CAN APPLY: GROUP A - All On Board Federal National Guard Employees within Virginia National Guard. GROUP B - All current Federal Employees (from any agency), all federal re-employable eligible, and/or current Army M-Day and Air DSG within VANG. GROUP C - All U.S. Citizens. GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Applicant must have experience experience and/or knowledge on providing tower Air Traffic Control (ATC) services. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicant must have at least 12 months of specialized experience, education, or training equivalent to at least the GS-11 level, or equivalent pay band in other pay systems in the Federal government? This experience may also have been obtained in the private sector but must demonstrate that it is comparable to the GS grade indicated. This experience must include activities such as: Experience performing air traffic control duties in the control tower. Experience executing the standardized ATC training program in accordance with guidelines. Experience operating, training, and providing preventative maintenance on a host of automated communications and display hardware and software systems that are integral and vital to the operation of the air traffic control facility. Experience evaluating weather reports from automated (ASOS, AWADS, IDS, etc.) or other sources (i.e. Pilot Reports) and ensuring weather information is accurate, specific, and timely.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12860101 A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-17