Federal

Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (Program Manager)

Federal Aviation Administration ยท Department of Transportation
๐Ÿ“ Rancho Cordova, California FV-J $95,489 - $148,037/yr
Posted: Feb 11, 2026 Deadline: Mar 3, 2026 (Closes in 16 days days left)

About This Position

Serves as an Airway Transportation Systems Specialists (ATSS). The ATSS at this level is recognized as the principal expert in their field. All duties of an ATSS are tied to maintaining safe and efficient operating capacity of the vast and complex network of electronics systems required for the world's largest air traffic control and navigation system.

Qualifications

Candidates must show experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility that is appropriate to the position. Experience that demonstrates an extensive knowledge of, and experience in, technology system interrelationships within the National Airspace System (NAS), management of civilian or military automated aviation, navigation, or other electronics systems. Generally, experience at the next lower level of I/Level IV or equivalent, meets the minimum qualifications for this position as long as the experience provides the demonstrated abilities identified below. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements may be further evaluated on the Demonstrated Abilities listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration. You MUST provide a NARRATIVE statement for each Demonstrated Ability. The narratives should be clear and concise, providing a description of your education, training and experience that would describe the degree to which you possess each Demonstrated Ability. Candidates must show experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility appropriate to the position. Failure to submit demonstrated abilities statements will prevent you from receiving further consideration. Notice: 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 at a later stage in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during that application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Major Duties

The incumbent is recognized as the principal technical expert for development of workable solutions for any unanticipated situations adversely affecting operationally critical systems of the NAS. Serves as senior project manager or team leader for large, challenging and complex work activities. Represents the FAA as a senior technical authority for major Agency activities, emerging technologies and customer concerns. Responsible for establishing and managing program goals and objectives and formulating project plans; develops, interprets, recommends changes, and has broad discretion to insure compliance with Organizational objectives and policies; identifies, procures, distributes, and tracks resources needed to accomplish large work activities. Works with customers at high internal and external organization levels to the FAA to resolve complex issues to insure the integrity of the NAS. Coordinates with multiple air traffic entities to shut down and restore facilities, systems, and services to prevent activities from disrupting air traffic operations. Quickly resolves restoration problems with minimal impact to the NAS. Performs work providing Agency-wide leadership for highly complex and challenging technical activities. This may be accomplished using innovative concepts and approaches for problems that have resisted earlier efforts at resolution. Maintains authority to commit the necessary resources to accomplish the agency's mission. Develops innovative approaches to attain Organizational objectives and optimize the use of resources. Works independently, monitors and evaluates trend data on a nationwide basis to develop workable solutions for sustaining the NAS. Keeps abreast of changes in technology and the new systems coming on-line. Provides recommendations to senior level managers for enhancement of systems and air traffic operations. Formulates Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) for local use, dealing with Emergency and Safety situations at assigned facilities. Incumbent has the authoritative responsibility for timely upward reporting of NAS information that could have an impact to operations for purposes of Situation Awareness (i.e. NOTAM, SAL Paging function). Understands the current state and dynamics of local operations and being able to anticipate future changes and developments. Integrates Operational Risk Management (ORM) into restoration, schedule maintenance activities, and all planned projects, ensuring that all customers and users of services are included and involved in ORM implementation and planning. The incumbent is management's representative during non-administrative hours; formulates and recommends organizational positions on major Agency activities to senior managers. Technical decisions are considered authoritative in his/her area of expertise and are considered a technical expert within the FAA for an assigned system or specialty area. Work directly supports the objectives of the agency and the safe and continual operation of the NAS. Contacts are both internal and external. Formulates and recommends organizational positions on major agency activities to senior managers. Represents the FAA as a senior technical authority for major projects and programs. Works independently. Has broad discretion to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and policies. Develops innovative approaches to attain organizational objectives and optimize the use of resources. Identifies and justifies the resources needed to accomplish large work activities. Provides expert guidance and instruction to address diverse, complex issues that often cross multiple projects, programs, or functional areas. Develops plans, techniques, and policies to address current or anticipated problems and issues. Work is typically reviewed for success in achieving desired results. Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience with this position.

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. SUPERVISORY ENDORSEMENT. If your selection for this position would be considered a promotion then a supervisory statement endorsing your candidacy (Career Level IV to Career Level V) is required by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the supervisory endorsement will remove the applicant from further consideration. Supervisory Endorsement is not required for ingrade/downgrade candidates. Security Requirement: Moderate risk (5), this position requires completion and favorable adjudication of a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. Interviews: All or none of the applicants will be interviewed. This position is a temporary assignment NTE 2 years. Position may be extended or terminated sooner. 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

Current or Former Federal employee (including a current FAA employee): You MUST submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2). Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in non-consideration for this position. SUPERVISORY ENDORSEMENT: If your selection for this position would be considered a PROMOTION, then a supervisory statement endorsing your candidacy is REQUIRED by the closing date of this announcement. The endorsement must include the vacancy announcement number. To obtain the Supervisory Endorsement, please contact your manager. NOTE: A supervisory endorsement is not required for ingrade/downgrade candidates. Applicants must apply on-line to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted. If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your on-line application, e.g., SF-50 or Supervisory Endorsement, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS. 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 Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (Program Manager) position at Federal Aviation Administration?
The salary range for this position is $95,489 - $148,037/yr. This is a FV-J position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (Program Manager) job located?
This position is located in Rancho Cordova, California. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Candidates must show experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility that is appropriate to the position. Experience that demonstrates an extensive knowledge of, and experience in, technology system interrelationships within the National Airspace System (NAS), management of civilian or military automated aviation, navigation, or other e...
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 Mar 3, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does FV-J mean?
FV-J 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.