Air Traffic Control Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Safety Service Unit (AJI), Safety Directorate, Safety Services Group, HQ QA Team (AJI-1540). The Group is responsible for monitoring safety reports and analyzing data and risk indicators to identify root causes of hazards and safety issues. The Group takes risk-based decisions and coordinates safety-related activities to influence air traffic, technical operations service areas, and field-based safety mitigations.

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Duties

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As an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS), this position applies experience gained in a terminal or en route air traffic control facility to evaluate facility operations and individual events for risk. The ATCS combines information necessary to create safety trend data and performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments to assess compliance and potential risk in the National Airspace System (NAS). Applies comprehensive knowledge of air traffic staff programs, such as procedures, traffic management, and quality assurance to furnish national-level expertise to identify and analyze data used to identify system-wide safety events. Identifies the areas of highest potential risk, as well as effective and ineffective barriers to safety and associated mitigation strategies. This work directly contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations and is critical to maintaining the safety of the NAS and the flying public.

The ATCS applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations as well as FAA programs, regulations, and missions to assess compliance efforts and safety risks. Utilizes knowledge of and experience with NAS Services Performance Tools, such as the Comprehensive Electronic Data Analysis and Reporting (CEDAR) system, the FALCON replay tool, and the Aviation Risk Identification and Assessment (ARIA), to collect and analyze safety data. Identifies safety hazards and recommends actions that directly lead to corrective action through mitigation. Interprets safety management, quality control, and operational regulations and policies to evaluate current policies and procedures to recommend changes based on data analysis; and to review and analyze aviation safety data. Identifies effective and ineffective barriers to safety and associated mitigation strategies. Audits air traffic operations and analyzes safety data to identify areas of highest potential risk. The ATCS reviews FAA Search and Rescue support actions.

Contacts are internal and external to the Federal Aviation Administration. The ATCS often represents AJI as a senior point of contact for quality assurance initiatives and technical evaluations of both Federal and non-Federal facilities and equipment. Contacts include facility managers, system users, quality control groups (QCG), and other entities within the safety arena.

As an authority in quality assurance programs, the ATCS works independently, although the work is subject to review by program officials and representatives for quality of results, compatibility with regional and national goals, conformance with established policies, and consonance with program objectives. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities with established schedules. Although broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for completing work objectives, the ATCS is allowed considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches and draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems.

Although most work is performed independently, the Team Manager reviews work typically through status reports and at completion. Work contributes directly to the accomplishment of air traffic and other FAA objectives and the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
• Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
• Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

Qualifications

Candidates must have one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (FV-I or FG/GS-13) that is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position successfully. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as:

• Experience interpreting safety management, quality control, and operational regulations and policies to evaluate current policies and procedures and recommend changes.
• Experience using performance tools to assist with risk mitigation efforts.
• Experience analyzing safety data, identifying safety hazards, and recommending actions to mitigate hazards.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. *

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

**All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. **

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; or (3) alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

Experience in a military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the level of work of the specialization for which application is made. This experience must have provided a comprehensive knowledge of appropriate air traffic control laws, rules, and regulations.

In accordance with HRPM EMP 1.29/1.29a, this position MAY be Career Enhancement Program/Career Progression assignment. The selectee(s) may be eligible for pay retention. Career Diversity is not enhanced when an employee is assigned to a staff or supervisory position in which they previously held on a permanent basis. CEP/CP selectees will be required to certify eligibility. Pay retention is not guaranteed.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

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Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.

Position may be subject to a background investigation.

A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies.

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

NOTES:

1) As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.

2) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website:

3) This Level 2 (Non-Critical Sensitive; Secret) position requires favorable adjudication of an Access National Agency Check and Inquiries (ANACI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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.