Federal
Air Traffic Control Specialist (CPC)
Federal Aviation Administration ยท Department of Transportation
About This Position
Serves as a Certified Professional Controller (CPC) in an ATC-12 level Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.
Qualifications
Specialized Experience: Must have been facility rated or area certified in an ATO terminal/en route facility. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Major Duties
Provides radar control to aircraft arriving or departing the primary airport and adjacent airports, and to aircraft transiting the facility's airspace. Operates radar and communication equipment to apply radar separation standards and vectoring procedures. Detects and adjusts malfunctions and interferences in the equipment. Issues speed, altitude, and directional instructions to pilots to keep aircraft properly separated. Provides air traffic advisory services to pilots including clearances to operate aircraft, weather and field conditions, and safety and traffic alerts. Provides training to developmental air traffic controllers and other employees in the facility. Performs the technical functions associated with training, briefings, quality assurance, and the technical functions of staff support specialists. Provides watch supervision for the continuous operation of a facility or area where a supervisor is not available. Works under direct supervision at the outset of each new assignment. When certified on the required position(s) of operation, the CPC independently performs the described duties under general supervision.
Conditions of Employment
We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.
How You Will Be Evaluated
IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.
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. 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. 1. Applicants must submit an FAA Form 3330-43-1. (see Required Documents for additional information) 2. Interviews will be conducted IAW applicable Collective Bargaining Unit Agreement and/or Agency Policy. 3. In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding C90/N90 Return Rights and Priority Release, employees who do not achieve full certification, other than those that have an approved hardship with an available vacancy, will be transferred back to their prior facility and will not be processed in accordance with EMP 1.14a. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
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. We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes. 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. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.
Required Documents
Applicants must apply online in order to receive consideration. Hard copy applications cannot be accepted. In addition to uploading a resume and completing the online application, applicants must complete and submit FAA Form 3330-43-1, Rating of Air Traffic Experience for AT Movement. Applicant signature is no longer required. The FAA 3330-43-1 form no longer requires Applicant or Rating Official signature. All supplemental documents (FAA Form 3330-43-1, SF-50) must be uploaded by the closing date of the announcement in order to receive consideration. Applicants will be considered ineligible if the form and SF-50 are not received by the closing date of this announcement. If you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy. If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/. Forms: FAA-3330-43-1 : Rating of Air Traffic Experience For AT Movement
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Air Traffic Control Specialist (CPC) position at Federal Aviation Administration?
The salary range for this position is $170,395 - $225,700/yr. This is a AT-LH position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Air Traffic Control Specialist (CPC) job located?
This position is located in Elgin, Illinois. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Specialized Experience: Must have been facility rated or area certified in an ATO terminal/en route facility. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Sep 29, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does AT-LH mean?
AT-LH refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.