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Posted: February 7, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Airway Transportation Systems Specialist

Federal Aviation Administration

Department of Transportation

Fresh

Salary

$92,937 - $144,039

per year

Closes

February 27, 2026

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

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

Job Description

Summary

This job involves being an expert in maintaining and troubleshooting the electronic systems that keep air traffic control running smoothly across the country, with a focus on the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS).

You'll independently handle complex technical issues, install new equipment, and ensure everything operates safely without constant supervision.

It's a great fit for experienced technicians who enjoy solving tough problems in aviation technology and working in a high-stakes environment like Colorado Springs.

Key Requirements

  • Specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 or FV-H level in aviation, navigation, or electronics systems
  • Demonstrated expertise in technology system interrelationships and management of automated systems
  • Ability to independently evaluate, maintain, and resolve issues in National Airspace System (NAS) components
  • Proficiency in integrating, testing, and restoring hardware/software systems like STARS
  • Experience providing narrative justifications for demonstrated abilities in education, training, and hands-on work
  • For promotions: Signed supervisory endorsement required by closing date

Full Job Description

The Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (ATSS) at this level is recognized as the subject matter expert in their field.

All duties of an ATSS are tied to maintaining safe and efficient operating capacity of the vast and complex network of electronics systems required for the world's largest air traffic control and navigation system.

ATSS personnel install, evaluate, maintain, modify and certify facilities, services and equipment that support the National Airspace System (NAS).

To qualify for this position, candidate must show experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility that demonstrates an extensive amount of and experience in technology system interrelationships, and management of civilian or military automated aviation, navigation, and electronics systems.

Generally, experience at the next lower level (Pay Band H/Level III or equivalent), meets the minimum qualifications for this position as long as the experience supports the DEMONSTRATED ABILITIES identified below.

In addition to your resume, in the space provided under each Demonstrated Ability, you MUST provide a NARRATIVE justification on how you meet this ability.

The justification should be clear and concise, providing a description of your education, training, and experience that would describe the degree to which you possess each Demonstrated Ability listed below.

Eligible candidates may be ranked based on demonstrated abilities.

Specialized Experience for I-Band: In addition to the Demonstrated abilities qualified applicants must demonstrate specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (FV-H or FG/GS-12).

Specialized experience is experience which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or directly related to work of the position to be filled.

Supervisor Endorsement: If your selection for this position would be considered a PROMOTION, then a Supervisory Endorsement is REQUIRED by the closing date of this announcement.

The endorsement must be signed (wet/ink or digital signature), dated, and must include the vacancy announcement number. To obtain the Supervisory Endorsement form or memo, please contact your manager.

NOTE: For ingrade/downgrade candidates, a supervisor's endorsement is not required. Major Duties:

Serves as an ATSS who specializes in the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS). Performs a variety of functions directly related to the operation of the NAS.

Independently evaluates the functional status of assigned subsystems, systems and facilities.

Plans, coordinates, and resolves unique technical problems without managerial intervention, providing coordination and suggesting solutions, making adjustments as necessary to deal with system outages and performance deterioration.

Recognized as a principal technical specialist on legacy and newly developed systems within a large facility or multiple facilities over a large geographical area.

Performs work of broad scope and complexity with a high degree of independence.

Responsibilities include integration, restoration, testing and evaluation of new advanced services or service components, hardware/software systems and processes.

Applies comprehensive technical knowledge to protect the integrity of all components and systems to provide NAS service delivery. Initiates action to install, repair or restore systems and services.

As a principal specialist or team leader for major projects and/or program areas, resolves unique technical problems without managerial intervention, providing coordination and suggesting solutions.

Carries out work in accordance with overall plans and objectives of the organization, resolving problems as they arise and making adjustments as necessary to deal with unanticipated situations and organizational needs.

This work includes responsibility for evaluating diagnostic data from multiple systems that are integrated to support a network of services or service products.

Evaluation of this data is used for correcting deficiencies on Contractor Acceptance Inspection/Joint Acceptance Inspection, and timely resolution of equipment, systems or services with the NAS.

Acts in a security and administration role for STARS system.

Conducts day to day monitoring and management of system and user activity that affect STARS information security, performs the day to day hands on operational and security duties, performs security administration performance checks, reviews/manages user accounts, files, and directories, reviews and analyze audit logs, attends the STARS Systems Specialist course, installs and reconfigures approved software and adaptions, performs user account management, and follows all agency policy and guidance on the STARS systems.

Review and evaluates all automation tickets. Works with air traffic and other stakeholders to eliminate erroneous tickets before forwarding to OSF.

ATSS must possess expert knowledge, skill or ability to perform the operation with the installation, maintenance, modification, repair, troubleshooting, flight check and certification of Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS).

This discipline is heavily engaged in operations and maintenance of industrial computer systems in the corporate environment, industrial systems to include both hardware and software applications.

In addition, this position maintains other electrical/mechanical equipment/systems necessary to ensure reliability of facilities on and off airports with the network of the NAS.

Contacts are both internal and external.

Often represents the organization as the primary technical point of contact on projects, programs, and other work activities to coordinate and implement plans or to obtain information and resolve problems.

Meets and consults with representatives of external organizations such as DoD, airport management, contractors, utility companies and foreign governments to resolve problems of mutual concern and to elicit cooperation and action favorable to FAA needs.

Performs other duties as assigned. Incumbent must possess a valid driver's license.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/7/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/7/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: ANM-ATO-26-0453940-97183