SUPERVISORY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST (TERMINAL)

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: This position is included under the provisions of Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) and may have both a maximum entry age and a mandatory retirement date. For more information follow this link:

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Duties

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• Serves as Supervisor, Air Traffic Control Branch, which consists of ground controlled approach (radar) and an air traffic control tower.
• Evaluates effectiveness of operating procedures and develops improved practices and procedures to increase efficiency of operations.
• Performs as a scheduled controller at both the terminal tower and radar approach controller positions.
• Issues instructions and clearances to aircraft operating in the tower's area of responsibility.
• Supervises civilian and military air traffic control specialists to provide uninterrupted air traffic control services during scheduled operating hours.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment.
• One-year supervisory probationary period may be required.
• Must comply with Drug Testing Program requirements.
• Applicants must be able to meet and maintain personal physical fitness/medical qualification standards in accordance with AR 40-501 and AR 40-8 pertaining air traffic control.
• Incumbent is subject to periodic (e.g. annual) medical examinations following appointment to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position.
• An applicant not currently occupying a GS-2152 "covered" position is required to successfully complete a pre-employment Class IV flight physical prior to being placed into this position.
• As required by staffing, workload, and mission requirements, incumbent may be required to work during other than normal duty hours which may include working nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Incumbent must possess and then continue to maintain the following ATC Certification: FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist Certificate (FAA Form 7220-1) and/or
  Control Tower Operator's Certificate issued by an agency of the Federal government.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience GS-12: One year of specialized experience which includes issuing instructions to establish and maintain aircraft separation; providing instructions based on aircrafts position, speed, and altitude in respect to terrain clearance, control towers traffic density, priorities, emergencies, weather and wind, lost communication and lost radar procedures, how approach will terminate, and airfield conditions. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement above, applicants must also be a graduate of a DoD component or FAA approved formal Air Traffic Controller school and possess Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) and/or Control Tower Operator (CTO) certification.

This position has been identified by Department of Army as an Air Traffic Controller as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2109(1)(A) and (1)(B) who is actively engaged in the separation and control of air traffic; or in providing preflight, inflight, or airport advisory service aircraft operators; or is the immediate or second-level supervisor of any employee described above. As described under 5 U.S.C. 8401(35)(B), this also includes the immediate supervisor of the person described in 5 U.S.C. 2109(1)(B). As such, this position is covered under special retirement coverage. The individual hired is subject to Special Retirement provisions to include additional contributions to the retirement fund, mandatory separation/retirement at age 56 with 20 years of approved special retirement service, options for early retirement at any age after 25 years of approved special retirement provisions service, or at age 50 with 20 years of approved special retirement provisions service.

Department of Defense (DoD), in accordance with 5 USC 3307, has determined an individual must be appointed to their first/original appointment into a DoD position that has been identified and approved for special retirement coverage as an Air Traffic Controller no later than the last day of the month in which they become 36. Preference eligible veterans over the age of 36, may apply regardless of the age restriction. If selected, a waiver of the age restriction will be requested by the hiring official for approval by the Department of Army.

An individual who is past the maximum entry age (36) who previously served in an approved Department of Defense Air Traffic Controller position may be reinstated to a covered position provided they meet the applicable qualification requirements AND will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered service as an Air Traffic Controller by the last day of the month in which they become 56.

Department of Army may approve an exception to the maximum entry age (36) for original entry into a covered Air Traffic controller position. However, any individual who has reached the mandatory separation age (56) is not eligible for employment or reemployment as an Air Traffic Controller.

You must provide sufficient documentation to determine proof of age. This documentation should be attached under Proof of Age as identified in the Required Documents section.

For reentry into a covered position, you must also provide sufficient documentation (SF-50s) to show length of service in a previously covered Air Traffic Controller position.

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position may require a 1 year trial period.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is an Aviation Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit for more information.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
• Position may be filled as a Term Appointment not to exceed (NTE) 3 years. Term appointments may be extended beyond of six (6) years, up to eight (8) years. With DoD approval, Term appointments may be extended beyond eight (8) years. As a Term employee, you are eligible for coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program, and the Federal Employees Retirement System, Thrift Savings Plan and annual/sick leave.
• Applicants must comply with the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) requirements as outlined in the DoD Instruction 1315.19. For more information on EFMP, please visit the following link:
• Position may become permanent without further competition.
• This appointment does not confer eligibility to be non-competitively converted to career-conditional or career appointment.
• Since Alaska is considered an overseas location, statutory return rights are applicable in many circumstances.
• Further certification from this announcement may take place up to 90 days beyond the closing date of this announcement.
• Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.