Air Traffic Control Specialist at Department of Transportation

Top Secret

Duties

The Air Traffic Control Specialist is an authority on airspace management principles, and uses technical experience to participate in the development of policy and draft amendments (e.g., notices of proposed rulemaking and final rules) for 14 CFR parts 65, 71, 73, 77, 91, 93, 99, 101, 103, 105, and 189 airspace actions for publication in the Federal Register. Process non-rulemaking special use airspace (SUA) proposals and prepare National Flight Data Digest (NFDD) inputs for approved non-rulemaking SUA proposals. Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations to evaluate, interpret, and communicate complex regulatory and procedural matters. Utilizes analytical data to advise senior management on agency rulemaking initiatives, airspace proposals, boundary certifications, and other national airspace actions. Provides informed recommendations on regulatory matters, including Title 14 CFR Part 71 (Class B, C, D, and E airspace; air traffic services (ATS) routes), Part 73 (restricted and prohibited areas), as well as non-rulemaking actions such as military operations areas, temporary flight restrictions, and national security zones. Offers technical insight to inform decisions on inter-agency actions involving the Department of State, Department of Defense, and other external stakeholders. Leads rulemaking projects or participates in strategic assessments of proposed and existing airspace structures, applying operational experience and regulatory knowledge to determine impact on National Airspace System (NAS) efficiency, safety, and capacity. Develops rules, policy, and standards for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace; reviews and analyzes the potential effect of proposed changes in airspace allocation and recommends national policy for establishing airspace. Develops recommendations to support redesign initiatives and facilitate national airspace modernization efforts. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities within established schedules. Establishes and maintains internal control systems for rulemaking workflow, including document tracking, stakeholder engagement records, and data repositories for historical airspace actions. Uses these tools to inform future rulemaking priorities and increase transparency across organizational units. Analyzes stakeholder proposals for airspace modification or creation, including submissions from DoD, private sector, and state agencies. Evaluates technical feasibility, environmental considerations, and regulatory compliance, and prepares formal response packages or guidance for inclusion in national rulemaking deliberations, Congressional inquiries and proposed legislation. Serves as technical liaison between the Office of Rulemaking and operational field facilities, translating procedural intent into functional application. Coordinates the integration of airspace rule changes with facility operations teams to ensure alignment with staffing, equipment, and procedural readiness. Contacts are internal and external to the agency. Often represents the organization as a senior point of contact on projects and programs. The work is carried out independently and requires initiative in planning, executing, and managing assigned responsibilities. Develops and presents policy briefings to senior FAA executives and external agency leadership, articulating the operational impact of proposed changes in airspace classification, air traffic services routing, and special use airspace designations. Uses data visualization tools and operational metrics to support recommendations. Reviews international airspace proposals and participates in bilateral or multilateral negotiations, collaborating with agencies such as ICAO, DoD, and DHS to harmonize domestic policy with international airspace management standards and security protocols.

Requirements

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

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 successfully perform the duties of the position. 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 analyzing stakeholder proposals and evaluating the feasibility, environmental considerations, and regulatory compliance to support the preparation of formal response packages. 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.A *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. ** 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. 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. · AFSCME Interview Criteria: Article 42, Section 13 states: If the selecting official decides to interview any employee on the selection list for a vacancy, then all who remain under consideration for the position at that point in the process must be interviewed. If the selection list is shortened to a best qualified list through a comparative process, then the best qualified list shall be considered to be the selection list. If it is determined that interviews are required and telephone interviews are not utilized, travel expenses incidental to these interviews will be paid in accordance with the Agency's travel regulations and this Agreement.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Other 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. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements 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 Ability (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. 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.2) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm3) 4) This position is not covered by PL 92-267 for early retirement purposes, and is therefore, not eligible for "good time" credit. 5) Position is ineligible for true time and one half. 6) This announcement is also being advertised under VA #AWA-25-8209TY-96212. Please review both vacancy announcements before making application to determine your eligibility to apply. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA