Air Traffic Control Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), Safety and Technical Training Service Unit, Safety Directorate, Safety Intelligence & Response Group (AJI-1300).

This group is responsible for reacting to significant events in the National Airspace System (NAS) by disseminating timely, accurate, and unbiased information about the events.

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-J/GS-14 level.

This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.14, FG/GS-J SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: - Experience separating and controlling air traffic in a terminal or en route air traffic facility to conduct the initial investigation of complex aircraft accidents, near mid-air collision reports, major service disruptions, and incidents which receive significant media interest.

- Experience preparing analytical reports concerning aviation incidents or events to compile and report results of investigations to senior ATO leadership.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To meet the minimum requirements for this position, applicants must possess: Experience in a military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrates 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.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

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 have this type of experience later 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.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.

* Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA. **All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

** Major Duties:

As an Air Traffic Control Specialist, he/she applies knowledge of the NAS to perform complex, specialized air traffic control assignments involving the direction and investigation of significant aviation events.

He/she serves as a senior project manager or team leader for large, challenging activities to direct national on-site-safety investigations, assess air traffic services and operations, and report findings and recommended actions.

These investigations are highly complex and are critical to the safe and efficient operation of the NAS.

The reports and recommendations generated by the investigations affect all ATO operational units and the safety of the flying public.

He/she applies full performance level experience separating and controlling air traffic in a terminal or en route air traffic facility to conduct the initial investigation of highly complex aircraft accidents, near mid-air collision reports, major service disruptions, and incidents which receive significant media interest.

He/she applies expert technical knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations to assist ATO facility personnel in the compilation and review of audio and radar data as well as other pertinent documentation to determine causal factors, impacts and findings regarding high visibility incidents.

He/she applies this knowledge to identify and resolve highly complex problems related to accident/incident causality that often cross-organizational boundaries between lines of business and government agencies and that affect the accomplishment of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) objectives.

He/she applies experience preparing analytical reports concerning aviation incidents or events to compile and report results of investigations to senior ATO leadership as well as other FAA senior leadership.

Analyzes results of investigations and recommends courses of action.

Ensures that information is adequately compiled and reported expeditiously along with advice to guide the actions of senior leadership.

As a collateral duty, he/she also supports the Joint Air Traffic Operations Command (JATOC) located at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center by serving on rotating 24/7 shifts as an Air Traffic Safety Investigator (ATSI).

In this capacity investigates safety incidents.

Also coordinates and directs the initial Safety response for significant incidents and communicates with the ATO Watch Officer (AWO) for sensitive information flowing to and from ATO senior leadership.

He/she coordinates the response of the ATO during national level on-site investigations by ATO Safety, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding events within the NAS.

Often represents the FAA at the national level as the agency focal point for major projects or programs.

He/she interacts with senior executives within other FAA lines of business during on-site investigations of events.

External contacts include representatives from the aviation industry, labor organizations and other external stakeholders.

Recommends organizational positions on major program and issues to agency management. Serves as a focal point for safety investigations and accident reporting.

Utilizes extensive experience and expert technical knowledge of air traffic operations to determine causal factors of the event and compliance with FAA regulations.

Prepares and reviews reports or policies for internal and external distribution.

Although broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, he/she is almost always required to develop new and innovative approaches.

He/she often recommends new policies and develops procedures and approaches.

As a recognized expert in the FAA, he/she works independently and exercises broad discretion to ensure that work is integrated with ATO objectives and policies.