Aviation Technical Systems Specialist

Serves as an Aviation Technical Systems Specialist, he/she applies experience and advanced technical knowledge of NAS equipment, procedures, and safety interventions including their interrelatedness and functions, in order to design, develop, modify, or evaluate the NAS. As a contributing specialist, he/she participates on inter-disciplinary technical teams to assist in the design, development, modification, or evaluation of the NAS. Applies multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary scientific principles, qualitative methods, and modeling to study and analyze complex NAS systems and programs to assist in proposing an alternative course of action in the acquisition, management, and deployment of major aviation related systems or programs.

The Specialist participates as a technical team member and is responsible for supporting the oversight and analysis of all facets of the automation systems related to Air Traffic Control (ATC) activities within the facility.

This position supports multiple, varying, and complex assignments under the direction of a Field Manager, project manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. The Specialist provides support to a project team leader for large work activities. Typical duties include (1) performing required research to identify, analyze, and resolve operational automation discrepancies; (2) ensuring the adequacy of automation support based on knowledge of air traffic control procedures and a general knowledge of facility traffic flows; (3) developing, maintaining, testing, and modifying adaptation databases to ensure that maximum effectiveness is achieved and that data is processed in a precise and timely manner; (4) coordinating with staff at local and other air traffic facilities regarding automation decisions and activities that could impact NAS operations.

The Specialist resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention, which could cause an operational impact to current and future NAS systems. Works continuously with second level engineering personnel and appropriate levels of management to provide information and data with respect to national system planning, configuration management, and technological considerations and adaptations that have a major impact on air traffic and NAS systems.

The Specialist participates on special and projects or teams to evaluate the effectiveness of automation and aviation services. Performs technical analysis, documentation, and related tasks in direct support of the air traffic operations. Provides technical assistance to operational personnel for the resolution of aviation system malfunctions.

Considers the objectives of the major subdivision and/or line of business when developing, integrating, and implementing solutions to diverse, complex problems. Contacts are internal and external. The Specialist communicates with Technical Operations, Air Traffic representatives, and the National Adaptation Team to analyze software and adaptation requirements and to support second level engineering activities.

May coordinate air traffic software adaptation changes and requirements with multiple air traffic control facilities, military base operations, airlines and international air traffic control organizations. Communicates results to all levels internally and externally. Contributes to the preparation of reports or technical documents.

The Specialist works at a field site with direction and guidance provided by the Second Level Engineering Field Manager. The Specialist works in a team environment and works with a team lead or manager to support the decisions related to the maintenance of adaptation and software systems critical to the safe operation of the NAS.

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

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.

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.

As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, 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, 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. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the KSAs 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.

Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) of 2.49% is authorized and is subject to change without notice.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.

Only supplemental documentation, e.g. transcripts or veteran's documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded or emailed to [email protected] on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.

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/.