Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal)

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve in a PALACE Acquire (PAQ) centrally managed position in the Operations Career Field. This is a developmental position requiring the performance of assignments that are designed to further develop applicable analytical and evaluative skills and techniques.

Duties

• Assists certified controllers and learns to initiate and issue air traffic control instructions and clearances. Learns to observe, report, and disseminate airport advisories, weather information, and equipment status reports. Participates in training and developmental activities specific to a structured air traffic control training program to obtain position certification and carry-out routine assignments with more independence. Performs a variety of highly structure, entry-level air traffic control work designed to develop broader and more in-depth knowledge and skill to perform higher level assignments.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Experience And Education Requirements Applicants may meet minimum qualification requirements on the basis of experience, education, or, for GS-7 positions, one of the alternate provisions described below. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes: Issuing control instructions and advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to assure proper separation of aircraft and to expedite their safe and efficient movement, and assignments will become progressively more difficult in nature to provide visual flight rules (VFR) air traffic control services to aircraft operating in the vicinity of an airport or on the controlled movement area of the airfield, providing for the safe, orderly, and expeditious air traffic flow. Specialized experience (for GS-7 and above): Experience 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. For Terminal Position: Issuing control instructions and advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to assure proper separation of aircraft and to expedite their safe and efficient movement. This specialization also requires: Ability to act decisively under stressful situations and to maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure; Skill to coordinate plans and actions with pilots and other controllers; and Judgment to select and take the safest and most effective course of action from among several available choices. OR https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2100/air-traffic-control-series-2152/ ALTERNATE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-7 POSITIONS: Applicants who pass the written test qualify for GS-7 if they: Hold or have held and appropriate facility rating and have actively controlled air traffic in civilian or military air traffic control terminals or centers: Hold or have held an FAA certificate as a dispatcher for an air carrier; Hold or have held an instrument flight rating: Hold or have held an FAA certificate as a navigator or have been fully qualified as a Navigator/Bombardier in the Armed forces; Have 350 hours of flight time as a copilot or higher and hold or have held a private certificate or equivalent Armed Forces rating; Have served as a rated Aerospace Defense Command Intercept Director: or Meet the requirements for GS-5 and pass the written test with an appropriately higher score. Maximum Entry Age: Under the provision of 5 U.S.C.3307, a maximum entry age has been established for Terminal and Center positions. 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: 1. Knowledge of the fundamental laws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing the movement of air traffic, including terminal and tower operations. 2. Knowledge of basic air traffic control principles and concepts sufficient to perform entry-level developmental assignments. 3. Knowledge of the basic operational functions of ATC equipment, airfield systems, and weather phenomena affecting local air traffic. 4. Ability to analyze problems, gather pertinent data to identify significant factors, and make timely judgments in a dynamic work situation. 5. Ability to remain calm under stress, coordinate multiple tasks, and act decisively in emergency situations as directed. 6. Ability to plan and organize work and communicate clearly, rapidly, and effectively, both orally and in writing. 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.

Education

For GS-7 Positions: Superior academic achievement at the baccalaureate level or 1 full year of graduate study meets the requirements for GS-7. The Palace Acquire Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval. This is your opportunity to begin a successful civilian career with the United States Air Force. You must have completed a 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in one of the following: a) Class Standing - upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses in the college, university, or major subdivision; b) Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. c) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society (note: freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position). (If qualifying based on class standing or honor society membership, provide appropriate documentation). If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc., you cannot qualify based on GPA. IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

How to apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/16/2027. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13061432 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: : To receive further consideration, create or log in to https://afciviliancareers.com/recentgraduates/ and complete the HireVue information prompt. Please ensure to submit at the end of the process. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.