Department: Department of the Air Force
Location(s): Edwards AFB, California
Salary Range: $105988 - $137791 Per Year
Job Summary: Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST (Terminal/Flight Test), GS-2152-12 is to provide mission support (MRU) services and Test Mission support through the use of radar, air-to-ground communications and associated subsystems for all AFTC and participating aircraft operating within the Restricted Area R-2515.
Major Duties:
Qualifications: Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for General Schedule Positions, Air Traffic Control Series 2152. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have (or will have within 120 days of closing of this announcement) at least one (1) year of specialized experience at a level close to the work of this position that has given them the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform. Typically, we would find this experience in work within this field that is closely related. To be creditable, one year of the specialized experience must have been equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11), pay band or equivalent. Specialized experience is described as the ability to issue control instructions and advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to assure proper separation of aircraft and to expedite their safe and efficient movement; Ability to act decisively under stressful situations and to maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure; Skill to coordinate plans and actions with pilots and other controllers; and judgment to select and take the safest and most effective course of action from among several available choices. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. Due to the use of 120 day rosters, applicants within 120 days of completion of TIG requirements are encouraged to apply. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of Terminal Air Traffic Control Procedures, including Tower and Radar Procedures. 2. Knowledge of terminal radar surveillance, precision systems and weather phenomena used in performing Military Radar Unit coordination. 3. Knowledge of range procedures weapons testing and range safety procedures. 4. Ability to make rapid and precise judgments in a real-time work situation, remain calm under conditions that are stressful, coordinate many different processes at once, and adjust rapidly to changes in air traffic and tempo of work activity. 5. Ability to communicate effectively (rapidly, clearly, and distinctly) orally and in writing; to act decisively in emergency situations; and to provide appropriate reporting procedures as required. -5 USC 5546a- DIFFERENTIAL PAY FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (a) The Administrator of the FAA (hereafter in this section referred to as the "Administrator") and the Secretary of Defense (hereafter in this section referred to as the "Secretary") may pay premium pay at the rate of 5 per centum of the applicable rate of basic pay to (1) Any employee of the FAA or the DoD who is (2) Occupying a position in the air traffic controller series classified not lower than GS-9 and located in an air traffic control center or terminal or in a flight service station Premium pay statement: This position may be entitled to 5% premium pay as authorized by 5USC 5546a (a)(1) 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, DoD Civilian Personnel Manual, Subchapter 331, Civilian Air Traffic Controllers. Any individual who has reached the mandatory separation age (56) is NOT eligible for employment/reemployment as an ATC (5 U.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) RE-ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: ATC Specialists in receipt of a refund, of retirement contributions for the years of service covered under special retirement, will not receive service credit towards the 20 years required to retire under special retirement coverage, unless the redeposit is paid in full prior to date of retirement. REQUIREMENTS: ATC Specialists in all specializations must possess or obtain, within uniformly applicable time limits, the facility ratings required for full performance at the facility where the position is located. Applicants must possess or obtain a valid ATC Certificate and/or Control Tower Operator Certificate, if appropriate. MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: In general, ATC specialist applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of these positions without risk to themselves or others. The provision of sufficient information about physical capacity for employment requires that before appointment, applicants undergo appropriate pre-employment physical/medical evaluations. SPECIAL RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This position is covered as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) under 5 USC 2109. This position is subject to the special retirement provisions for ATCs under CSRS and FERS (5 USC 3382, Involuntary Separation for Retirement; 5 USC 8335(a) and 8425 (a), Mandatory Separation for Retirement; 5 USC 8336(e), Immediate Retirement; 5 USC 8339(3) and 8415(d), Computation of annuity, and 8412(e). This position differs greatly from other types of ATC positions in that is provides mission support services within a restricted area complex (R-2515) and associated special operation areas. Due to increased traffic volume, limited airspace afforded within R-2515, diversified flying activities, and the inherent dangers associated with AFFTC operations (live munitions drops, air-to-air gunnery, unusual flight maneuver tests, etc.); incumbents must provide service to all aircraft assigned to their area of responsibility, regardless of altitude or type of clearance. This requires more precise and rapid judgments in applying comprehensive knowledge of the operating characteristics of a wide variety of aircraft. Participating aircraft include those arriving & departing Edwards AFB, aircraft operating within special Use Areas within R-2515, plus any & all aircraft, which transit R-2515. The controllers in SPORT MRU are to ensure the safety & successful completion of all AFFTC aircraft mission under their command and control instructions within R-2515. Special Use Areas within R-2515 includes spin areas; high altitude & Black Mountain supersonic corridors, the Precision Impact Range Areas, the Alpha Corridor & the low level & terrain following routes. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
How to Apply: The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/26/2025 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12841467 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (Includes current Air Force employees): You are required to submit legible copy/copies of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1"). Additionally, if you are applying for a higher grade (GS) and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one year time-in-grade requirement so you will need to provide an SF-50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old). OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume. Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s). PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Application Deadline: 2025-12-26