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Posted: February 24, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Air Traffic Control Specialist

Federal Aviation Administration

Department of Transportation

Fresh

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Salary

$127,898 - $198,281

per year

Closes

March 10, 2026More DOT jobs →

GS-13 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.

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

Job Description

Summary

This job involves managing and improving air traffic control systems across the U.S. and international airspace to keep flights safe and efficient.

The specialist works with teams to develop procedures, review technologies, and ensure consistent standards for air traffic operations.

It's a great fit for experienced air traffic controllers who enjoy collaborating on complex technical projects and have a strong background in aviation rules and automation.

Key Requirements

  • At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I/FG/GS-13 level as an air traffic controller in military or civilian facilities
  • Comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control laws, rules, regulations, and operating procedures
  • Experience interpreting separation standards, equipment technologies, and systems like ERAM
  • Ability to collaborate with internal and external organizations, including service centers and teams
  • Expertise in air traffic automation systems and NAS requirements for procedure development and integration
  • Skills in monitoring standardization of procedures, conducting assessments of en route and terminal systems
  • Demonstrated ability to provide input on new system development and operational test experience

Full Job Description

Air Traffic Services provides safe, secure, and efficient management for the National Airspace System (NAS) and international airspace assigned to U.S. control.

AJT controls more than 5 million square miles of airspace in the U.S. and more than 24 million square miles over oceans. To view the complete qualification standard, applicants should reference- U.S.

Office of Personnel Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Air Traffic Control Series, 2152: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2100/air-traffic-control-series-2152/ To qualify for this position at the J-band you must demonstrate in your application that you have experience as an airtraffic controller in a military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the level of work of the specialization for which application is made.

This experience must have provided a comprehensive knowledge of appropriate air traffic control laws, rules and regulations.

Creditable experience must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the full range of duties of the position for which application is being made.

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I / FG/GS-13.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is: Experience interpreting air traffic control operating procedures, separation standards, equipment technologies, and systems, such as ERAM automation system.

Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Interview Policy: If the selecting official decides to interview any employee on the selection list for a vacancy, then all who remain under consideration for the position at that point in the process must be interviewed.

If the selection list is shortened to a best qualified list through a comparative process, then the best qualified list shall be considered to be the selection list.

Pay Retention: In accordance with HRPM. EMP 1.29/1.29A, this position may be Career Enhancement Assignment/Career Progression. The selectee( s) may be eligible for pay retention.

Career Diversity is not enhanced when an employee is assigned to a staff or supervisory position in which they previously held on a permanent basis.

CEP/CP selectees will be required to certify eligibility. Major Duties:

The Air Traffic Control Specialist performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments. Collaborates with support organizations to ensure AJT operational awareness.

He/she will interface with officials from all levels including Service Area and Service Center personnel, teams of people from internal and external organizations to accomplish assigned tasks and objectives.

As an authority on air traffic automation systems, he/she possesses knowledge of NAS requirements to provide input, as needed, to support organizations.

He/she will be involved in the development of procedures and requirements, integration of technology, and air traffic control separation and operational standards for the control of air traffic throughout the NAS to ensure the safe, orderly and expeditious movement along air routes and at airports.

Monitors the standardization of air traffic control procedures and standards throughout the NAS.

Conducts assessment and reviews of EnRoute and/or terminal automation systems to provide a complete synopsis to superiors, peers, field facilities and customers.

Applies operational test experience and expert technical knowledge, to participate in the development of new systems.

Ensure timely and quality support services of products provided to AJT and redirects correspondence and tasks to appropriate support organizations, when needed.

Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations as well as FAA programs, regulations, and missions.

Must also apply comprehensive knowledge of staff programs (e.g., procedures, traffic management, quality assurance, training, automation) to carry out regional or national programs.

Interprets and implements air traffic control operating procedures, separation standards, equipment technologies, and systems, such as ERAM automation system.

Acts as principal technical specialist verifying/developing automation requirements.

Participates in the development of national standards, instructions, policies, and procedures to effectively implement automation requirements in the terminal environment.

Provides technical analysis of proposed operational changes, problems and issues that impact the operational environment.

The employee is responsible for managing complex programs and activities, and ensures consistency and operational standardization across the operations.

Uses expertise in air traffic management to provide advice to the Director and other senior staff members regarding the assessment/analysis of proposed policies and programs related to the development, acquisition, and deployment of Enroute and Terminal automation.

Applies acquisition management system protocols for integration of new automation systems into the NAS.

Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations as well as FAA programs, regulations, and missions, in order to provide policy guidance consistent with established operational goals and objectives.

Possesses an understanding of FAA acquisition management policy to assists with systems analysis and strategic planning to operational concepts, reduce risk, and/or define requirements before a decision is made to proceed in the acquisition management process.

Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for completing work objectives, but allow considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches.

Draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems.

Contacts are internal and external, to include with NAS customers, other ATO organizations, and external lines of business on a day-to­day basis.

Represents air traffic operational interests effectively with other organizations.

As an authority in air traffic management, he/ she provides guidance to both internal and external organizations to address diverse, complex issues which often cross multiple projects/ programs.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/24/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/24/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: ACT-ATO-26-AJT1000-97338