Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (Systems Specialist)
About This Position
The Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (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. ATSS personnel install, evaluate, maintain, modify and certify facilities, services and equipment that support the National Airspace System (NAS).
Qualifications
To qualify for this position at the I pay band, you 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, and management of civilian or military automated aviation, navigation, and electronics system. Specialized experience is defined as experience in the FV-2101 occupation or in a related occupation, which equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Generally, experience at the next lower level pay band H/Career Level III or FG/GS-12. Demonstrated Abilities: Applicants MUST provide narrative responses for each Demonstrated Ability listed within this announcement. Narrative responses 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.
Narrative responses are MANDATORY for each Demonstrated Ability and applicants must show possession of each. 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 possess 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 the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification. Failure to submit narrative responses for each "Demonstrated Ability" will prevent further consideration.
Supervisor's Endorsement: A Supervisor's Endorsement form or memorandum is required for a competitive promotion. Applicants applying for a promotion must include a supervisor's endorsement or memorandum which must include the vacancy announcement number and supervisor's or acting supervisor's signature.
In addition to the minimum qualifications, the following has been determined to be a selective placement factor (SPF) for this position. This means possession of this criterion is part of the minimum qualifications and is essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Applicants who do not possess the SPF are rated ineligible/not qualified and will not receive further consideration for this position.
Must possess expert knowledge, skill or ability to perform the operation associated with one or more of the following: Voice Switching and Communication System (VSCS) VSCS Training and Backup System (VTABS) Advanced Expertise on VSCS and VTAB systems operation, database maintenance, Air Traffic integration, and configuration management. A supervisor's endorsement is not required for reassignments (same as ingrades) or downgrades. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Major Duties
They are also responsible for various duties that contribute to providing reliable and safe FAA services to the flying public. Serves as an ATSS (Systems Specialist) at a Communications SSC. Incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of functions directly related to the operation of the NAS.
Performs work of broad scope and complexity with a high degree of independence. Has broad communication systems and networking responsibilities providing complete services to air traffic customers within a large facility or multiple facilities over a large geographic area. May need to complete multiple projects under short deadlines utilizing internal and external resources as needed.
The work performed at this level requires technical expertise on complex systems and/or emerging technology, systems interrelationships and management of the NAS. Provides the highest organizational level of technical support associated with analyzing, designing, developing, installing, repairing, fabricating, maintaining, modifying, or evaluating the most complex systems for which the FAA is responsible. As a principal technical specialist or technical expert within the organization for the assigned system or specialty area, resolves unique technical problems with minimal managerial intervention, providing coordination and suggesting solutions.
Recognized for a high level of technical expertise on legacy and newly developed systems within a large facility or multiple facilities over a large geographical area. Carries out work in accordance with overall plans and objectives of the organization, resolving problems as they arise and making adjustments as necessary to deal with unanticipated situations and organizational needs. This work includes responsibility for evaluating diagnostic data from multiple systems that are integrated to support a network of services or service products.
Evaluation of this data is used for correcting deficiencies on Contractor Acceptance Inspection/Joint Acceptance Inspection, and timely resolution of equipment, systems or services with the NAS. As the technical expert, responsibilities include integration, restoration, testing and evaluation of new advanced services or service components, hardware/software systems and processes. Applies comprehensive technical knowledge to protect the integrity of all components and systems to provide NAS service delivery.
Can be called upon to assist with repair and/or restore service or systems, providing guidance on the availability of back-up systems, recommending reconfiguration to minimize service interruptions to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the NAS. May have the responsibility to upward report the status of critical events. Established policies and procedures furnish guidance for most assignments, but considerable discretion is allowed to select the most appropriate approach or to develop new solutions.
Focuses on the overall NAS systems performance and causes of system degradation. Collaborates with system users, planner, engineers, and contractor personnel for the acceptance of new or modified systems and provide assistance for resolving problems with the installation or improvements. Contacts are both internal and external to the FAA.
Represents the organization as the primary technical point of contact on projects, programs, and other work activities to coordinate and implement plans or to obtain information and resolve problems. Contacts are to provide technical guidance and direction for multiple systems, advice for interpretations of orders, certification examiner, or serves as the Contractor's Office Technical Representative (COTR). Understands and utilizes proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal safety practices when engaged in all restoration and maintenance activities helping to set the example of safe work practices for others in the organization.
Other duties as assigned.
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.
Security Clearance: Moderate Risk (5).
This position requires completion and favorable adjudication of a background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. Interviews: All or none of the applicants may be interviewed IAW PASS contract. 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
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 and signed by your supervisor or acting supervisor. 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.
Supplemental documentation can also be faxed to (781)238-7283 on or before the closing date of this announcement. Please include your name and the vacancy announcement number on each of your faxed pages and redact all Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as social security number and date of birth. In Addition: 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/.