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Posted: March 2, 2026 (0 days ago)

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AIR TRAFFIC ASSISTANT

Air Education and Training Command

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$62,629 - $81,423

per year

Closes

GS-7 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $41,966 - $54,557

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-6. Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement or 1 year graduate study.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves assisting with air traffic operations at an Air Force base in Texas, ensuring safe aircraft movements by monitoring flights, handling emergencies, and managing airfield activities.

It requires working with sensitive equipment like firearms for wildlife control and passing drug tests due to its critical role in national security.

A good fit would be someone with military or aviation experience, such as prior air traffic roles or flight training, who thrives in high-stakes, regulated environments.

Key Requirements

  • At least one year of specialized experience at GS-7 level or equivalent, such as in aircraft operations, air traffic control, or flight dispatching
  • Knowledge of DOD, FAA, and ICAO air traffic laws, procedures, routes, navigational aids, and emergency responses
  • Prior 5-skill level in Air Force Airfield Management or certification from Basic/Advanced Airport Safety and Operations Specialist school (highly desired)
  • Ability to handle firearms and non-lethal munitions for bird/wildlife responses; must qualify under Gun Control Act (no domestic violence convictions)
  • Pass initial and periodic drug testing as a Testing Designated Position
  • Successful completion of required Air Traffic Assistance training program (failure may lead to separation)
  • U.S. citizenship and inability to be in Ready Reserve per DoDD 1200.7

Full Job Description

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. Conditions of Employment cont.

Possess a prior 5-skill level in Air Force Airfield Management or possess a certification of completion from the Basic Airport Safety and Operations Specialist school (ASOS) or Advanced Airport Safety and Operations Specialist (ASOS) is highly desired.

Able to handle firearms and non-lethal munitions, while responding and collaborating during bird and wildlife responses.

Position requires access to firearms and employee must sign DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition.

Persons convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence may not occupy this position in accordance with the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended 30 Sep 96.

This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program.

Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing.

Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.

IAW AFMAN 44-198, Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program.

The duties of this position meet all requirements as a Factor 4 designation and shall not be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal Agency or office to function effectively.

This position must be removed from the Ready Reserve and CANNOT become a member of the Ready Reserve. (IAW: DoDD 1200.7, "Screening the Ready Reserve,").

All persons appointed to Air Traffic Assistance positions are required to complete successfully a training program to gain specific job knowledge.

Those failing to complete the program successfully may be separated, demoted, or reassigned.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Transportation Positions, Air Traffic Assistance Series 2154.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of applicable DOD, FAA, and ICAO air traffic system laws, rules, regulations, and procedures required for the safe conduct of flights within the NAS and overseas; knowledge of air traffic system routes, capabilities and limitations of navigational aids, terrain topography, terminal instrument procedures, airspace restrictions and management, and local air traffic system procedures; knowledge of aircraft flight characteristics configuration, which allows for appropriate response to in­ flight and ground emergencies.

Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in work such as: Civilian or military aircraft operations work, such as flight instructor, instrument rated pilot, flight engineer, or air transport pilot.

FAA certified dispatcher for an air carrier. Flight information expediter involved in determining flight times of airplanes and transmitting information to flight operations and command centers.

Civilian or military air traffic controller. Flight data processor. Training: Successful completion of an FAA or military air traffic control training program.

OR Certificate: Possession of an FAA Control Tower Operator certificate.

OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of 2 full years of education or training above the high school level in subjects such as aviation, flight mechanics, communications, data processing, electronics, or similar subjects in a college or university, or a technical or flying school.

OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Equivalent combination of experience and education/training as described above.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of industry, Department of Defense, and Air Force airfield management operations procedures and the established regulations, requirements, and techniques related to the airfield management program.

Practical knowledge of Air Force airfields, such as condition of runways, taxiways, aprons, operational status of airfield support facilities (airfield lighting, barriers, navigational aids, etc.) and fixed/mobile obstacles that are violations to airfield standards and safety issues that may restrict aircraft operations and issuance of NOTAMs.

Practical knowledge and understanding of airfield technical manuals, unified facilities criteria, aircraft geometric guides, Air Force instructions, and procedures to conduct airfield inspections.

Knowledge of aerial navigation and aviation techniques, flight operations, flight planning rules, practices, and procedures to develop/change flight plans worldwide.

Knowledge of flight operations, visual and instrument flight rules, Federal Aviation Regulations, the international airway routes and structure, oceanic routes, controlled and special use airspace, flight characteristics and systems of several types of aircraft (aircraft altitude/airspeed capabilities, aircraft systems malfunctions), knowledge of flight safety, knowledge of exercise and contingency operations.

Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with military and civilians of all ranks and ability to act decisively in emergency situations.

Ability to operate various general-purpose vehicles and communications devices such as radios, desktop computers, telephone systems, intercoms, etc., and knowledge of procedures for message and report preparation, and notification procedures.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as Air Traffic Assistant to assess, evaluate, manage, and perform the day-to-day airfield operations activities of the primary and auxiliary airfield, airfield management operations functions, aerodrome command and control, maintain situational awareness of airfield and aircraft operations, respond to airfield events, and keep the Airfield Manager and Airfield Staff informed of any risk conditions that may affect airfield safety or effectiveness, in accordance with DoD, USAF, and local standards.

Functions as the shift leader when designated by the Airfield Manager (or shift coordinator) and is expected to use available resources and make sound judgment and timely decisions.

Inspects and/or checks the airfield for air, facility, and ground safety hazards to include compliance with airfield criteria, aircraft foreign object damage, airfield usability, and bird aircraft strike hazards.

Evaluates day-to-day airfield operations to ensure safe, efficient, and effective use of airfield facilities, operations, and services.

Performs Aerodrome Command and Control; responds to aircraft emergencies, accidents, and incidents on the airfield; supports Airfield Management administrative processes, procedures, and programs during shift duties.\

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/2/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/3/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 9P-AFPC-12899780-153423-DLJ