AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY
Air Force Materiel Command
FreshPosted Mar 18
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Posted: March 18, 2026 (0 days ago)
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AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST (TERMINAL)
Commander, Navy Installations Command
Department of the Navy
Location
El Centro, California
Salary
$87,061 - $113,185
per year
Type
Closes
March 25, 2026More Navy jobs →
GS-10 Pay Grade
Base salary range: $56,527 - $73,486
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-9. Advanced degree or significant experience.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
Job Description
Summary
This job involves managing air traffic at a naval air facility, ensuring safe takeoffs, landings, and movements of aircraft while using specialized equipment and simulators for training.
It requires staying calm under pressure, making quick decisions, and coordinating with teams to handle changing flight patterns.
Ideal candidates are experienced air traffic controllers with strong knowledge of aviation rules and the ability to communicate clearly in high-stress situations.
Key Requirements
- At least one year of specialized experience at GS-10 level or equivalent in air traffic control
- Ability to make rapid, precise judgments and remain calm under stressful conditions
- Expert knowledge of current air traffic control procedures, standards, and equipment
- Broad understanding of air navigation aids, instrument approach procedures, aviation weather, and National Airspace System
- Proficiency in conveying air traffic instructions clearly in English, even in emergencies
- Required ATCS Credential (must be submitted with application)
- Experience operating air traffic control simulators like ATCoach or IPARTS
Full Job Description
You will serve as a Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal) in the Air Operations Department of NAVAL AIR FACILITY EL CENTRO.
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-10 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Able to make rapid precise judgment, remain calm under conditions that are often very stressful; 2) Coordinate many different operations and adjust rapidly to changes, patterns, and tempo of the controlled activity; 3) Extensive experience in and expert knowledge of current Air Traffic Control procedures and standards used; 4) Broad knowledge of air navigation aids, noise abatement procedures, Air Traffic Control equipment, instrument approach procedures, aviation weather, National Airspace System, aircraft flight characteristics, airspace boundaries, airport facilities and operations; and 5) ability to convey air traffic instructions in English clearly and calmly, even under stressful or emergency situations.
An ATCS Credential is required. This must be submitted with your application.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management web site: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2100/air-traffic-control-series-2152.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).
Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Major Duties:
- You will evaluate the operational readiness of air traffic control (ATC) equipment to verify compliance with air traffic control safety regulations.
- You will operate an air traffic control simulator (e.g., ATCoach, IPARTS) for student controller training scenarios.
- You will advise arriving and departing aircraft of favored or designated runway and general location of known air traffic in the airport area.
- You will coordinate between radar approach and control tower to establish the arrival and departure sequence of aircraft traffic.
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