Federal

Air Traffic Control Specialist

Federal Aviation Administration Β· Department of Transportation
πŸ“ Washington, District of Columbia FV-J $127,898 - $198,281/yr
Posted: Aug 22, 2026 Deadline: Sep 8, 2026 (Closes in 15 days)

About This Position

This position is located in the Standards and Procedures Group (AJV-P3) within the Policy Directorate (AJV-P), in Mission Support Services (AJV-0). The Standards and Procedures Group is responsible for providing operations support and policy/procedures development, implementation, and approval. They also serve as the primary point of contact for the service area/centers and field facilities for standards and procedures issues.

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 collaborating across organizations internal and external to the ATO to gather technical data and develop procedural guidance.

Experience preparing technical reports and/or issue papers pertaining to air traffic operations. Experience in applying risk-based decision-making principles in the development of new or revision to Air Traffic policy and procedures.

OR

Experience in applying the ATO SMS Manual in the development of new or revision to Air Traffic policy and procedures. Experience in conducting assessments of terminal and/or en route operations to provide a complete synopsis to superiors, peers, field offices/facilities and customers. 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.

Major Duties

He/she serves as the principal support to which all organizations, service areas and field facilities, including Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) come for guidance on matters involving en route standards and procedures. Applies knowledge of en route air traffic control automation, communication, navigation, and surveillance systems. He/she reviews, analyzes, and documents the development and implementation of new or revised procedures and separation standards, equipment, software and other operations-related activities.

Participates in workgroups for the development of changes to policies and procedures and develops reports. He/she represents Mission Support Services as a senior point of contact with internal and external organizations and agencies on ATC on projects, programs, research and acquisition. Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of en route air traffic control procedures and operations as well as FAA programs, regulations, and missions.

He/she evaluates National Airspace System (NAS) operational needs and supports the development of innovative solutions to address them. Performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments, including leading confirmation and prioritization activities; shortfall identification; development, analysis, evaluation, simulation and demonstrations of air traffic concepts of operation; and support the prioritization and validation of program requirements. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities within established schedules.

He/she collaborates with contacts that are internal and external to the Directorate. These include other directorates within Mission Support Services, including service center representatives, other directorates within the ATO, other lines of business within the FAA, national labor organizations and representatives of the aviation industry as well as other federal agencies. Contacts may also include, representatives of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and member states.

Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for completing work objectives, but allow considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. Draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems. He/she reports to the ATC Procedures En Route Team Manager, who typically review the work though status reports and at project completion.

Work contributes directly to the accomplishment of air traffic and other FAA objectives and the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations.

Conditions of Employment

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

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 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: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm 3) Multiple position may be filled. 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. 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.

Required Documents

Only supplemental documentation (e.g., transcript, certifications, SF-50, and/or veteransΒΏ documentation) will be accepted in combination with your online application. These documents must be uploaded or faxed to 202-267-7032 or 1-866-291-3009 on or before the closing date of the announcement. All submitted documents must reference the announcement number. (1) resume with complete work history; and (2) a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).ALL applicants MUST submit the following: For guidance on how to create a federal resume, visit http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/resume-guide.pdf.

Failure to submit all required documents by the closing date will result in a finding of ineligible. We are not responsible for incomplete, illegible or missing documents. Please DO NOT email your application documents.

We cannot accept documents received via the email system. Documents sent via email will NOT receive consideration. ALL applicants MUST submit the following: (1) resume with complete work history; and (2) a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).Β· 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/.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Air Traffic Control Specialist position at Federal Aviation Administration?
The salary range for this position is $127,898 - $198,281/yr. This is a FV-J position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Air Traffic Control Specialist job located?
This position is located in Washington, District of Columbia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Education cannot be substituted for experience.
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 8, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
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.