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 Air Traffic Control Specialist for a Visual Flight Rule (VFR) tower and a Precision Approach Control Radar Approach.
• Control aircraft using radar, ensuring precise alignment of both search and precision radar screens.
• Issues instructions and clearances to aircraft operating in the tower's area of responsibility.
• As training supervisor, conducts all phases of tower and radar facility training under the direction of the facility chief.

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 is covered by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program.
• 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.
• Incumbent is subject to periodic (e.g. annual) medical examinations following appointment to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position.
• This position has been designated "Mission Essential".
• Must possess and maintain ATCS certification and a control tower operator's license.
• Must certify in both the Tower and the Ground Control Approach (GCA) within the time limits specified in AR 95-2.

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.

Specialized Experience GS-11: One year of specialized experience which includes directing the movement of aircraft in flight and on runways/taxiway; controlling take-off and landing of a variety of military and/or civilian aircraft utilizing the airfield; and establishing and maintaining radio and/or visual contact with the aircraft. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-10).

In addition I have Air Traffic Control (ATC) related experience in a military or civilian air traffic facility demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of appropriate air traffic control laws, rules, and regulations; issuing 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.

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 requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• 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 a(n) Aviation Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not 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.
• 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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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.