Supervisory Air Traffic Control Specialist (Operations Manager - MSS-3)

Supervisory Air Traffic Control Specialist (Operations Manager - MSS-3)

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Salary Range: $141907 - $180934 Per Year

Job Summary: Serves as a TEMPORARY Operations Manager in an ATC-8 level terminal facility, responsible for planning and directing the operations in the facility; or planning and directing multiple support activities for the facility such as training, quality assurance, traffic management, airspace and procedures, plans and programs, and other facility program areas.

Major Duties:

• Directs a highly technical workforce that provides either air traffic control services and/or tactical and strategic support. The work impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of the day-to day operations of the facility. Work typically impacts the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of aircraft as well as the efficient operation of segments of the aviation industry. Provides training, coaching and guidance to subordinates and facilitates team building throughout area(s) of responsibility. Integrates support resources with operational needs to maintain effective air traffic control service, and may work other than administrative shifts to meet this requirement. Using measures of organizational performance, continuously reviews work processes to assure that results meet the agency's mission and the customer's needs, adds value to facility services, and are efficiently achieved. Assigns and reviews work. Plans work and sets priorities and schedules. Approves leave; prepares schedules for completion of work; assigns work to subordinates based on priorities; evaluates work performance of subordinates ensuring equity of performance standards and ratings; gives advice on work and on administrative matters; Identifies and arranges for developmental and other training needs of subordinates. Makes decisions on work problems presented by subordinates; hears and resolves group grievances and serious employee complaints; effects disciplinary actions; recommends/approves selections and transfers; recommends/approves awards. Deals with labor representatives concerning workforce issues. Adjusts staffing levels and work procedures to accommodate resource decisions made at higher levels. Provides input to and contributes to the accomplishment of facility goals and objectives. Serves as a member of the management team to improve organizational performance and to meet strategic goals. Meets and has frequent contacts with both internal and external customers including subordinates, other peer management representatives, union representatives, administrative support staff within the facility, higher ranking managers and supervisors, members of the general public, and representatives of the aviation industry. The Operations Manager reports to the Air Traffic Manager. Performance is evaluated upon the effectiveness with which assigned program objectives are achieved.

Qualifications: Applicants must demonstrate they possess required specialized experience. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: 1. Must have held an FAA 2152 FV-J/FG-14 or above regional or headquarters positions for at least 1 year (52 weeks); OR 2. Must have been facility rated or area certified for at least 1 year (52 weeks) at an Air Traffic Services (ATS) facility. NOTE: An employee who has been facility rated or area certified for at least 1 year (52 weeks) in an ATS facility that is upgraded is considered to meet the qualification requirements of the upgraded position; OR 3. Must have held an MSS position for at least 1 year (52 weeks) in an ATS facility. In addition to the qualification requirements above, applicants must have held an MSS-2 position or above in an ATS facility OR a 2152 FG-14 position or above for at least 1 year (52 weeks) in order to qualify for this position. 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: 2026-05-04