Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal)

Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command • March AFB, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The primary purpose of this position is to provide air traffic control (ATC) services to military and civilian aircraft operating in a terminal radar environment using instrument flight rules (IFR), visual flight rules (VFR), and special VFR (SVFR); to provide terminal non-radar approach control services in allocated airspace in the event of radar outages; and, to provide VFR and SVFR ATC services to aircraft operating in the vicinity of March Air Reserve Base (MARB) or within the Controlled Movement Area (CMA) of the airfield providing for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Must have previously obtained and possessed a valid FAA/ATC Specialist (ATCS) certification and/or valid Control Tower Operator (CTO) certification or certificate of scores.
• Must be able to obtain and possess current and valid FAA/ATC Specialist (ATCS) certification and maintain same.
• Must be able to obtain and possess valid Control Tower Operator (CTO) certification or certificate of scores and maintain/obtain currency of the same.
• May be required to work an uncommon tour of duty, i.e., Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, etc.
• May be required to work rotating shifts and overtime.
• Work demands may not allow for regularly scheduled breaks or meal periods. Supervisors may authorize an on-the-job lunch period of 20 minutes or less spent at or near their workstations.
• May be required to respond to short notice recall supporting unscheduled emergency air traffic and/or contingencies/exercises to support the mission.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• The incumbent of this position must have the ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time while controlling aircraft in a dimly lit IFR room or a Control Tower facility.
• The incumbent of this position may be required to climb up to 20 flights of stairs (120 feet) to reach the Control Tower Cab.
• The position may require the employee to work under adverse environmental conditions.
• The incumbent must accomplish local limited weather observer certification requirements administered by base weather flight.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
• The employee is subject to random drug testing. As a mandatory requirement for employment in the TDP, the incumbent is to refrain from use of illegal drugs and, if requested, must submit to urinalysis testing. The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied is identified as a TDP.
• The incumbent must have the ability to meet and maintain on a continuing basis the physical, mental, and medical standards for ATC duties as specified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualification standard for GS-2152.
• Must meet and maintain applicable FAA medical standards necessary to perform ATC duties.
• This position has been locally, or command designated as Mission Essential (ME) position performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF) which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions, IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs.
• Mission Essential personnel may be required to report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or delayed reporting and remain on duty during phased or early release
• This position is designated as a Key Staff Position (Code A) for screening the incumbent from the Ready Reserves.
• In the event of a war, a war-related emergency, or human-caused or natural disaster, the incumbent of this position must perform duties to support assigned USAF missions.
• The incumbent must be removed from military status if alternatives for filling the position during an emergency are not available and may be required to take part in readiness exercises on a 7-day, 24-hour basis.
• Must complete all training requirements within facility prescribed time limits to obtain and maintain full facility certification in all ATC facilities.
• Thereafter, recurring training is required to maintain proficiency on the most current air traffic control requirements. This proficiency may be in the form of examinations which may be written, verbal, or require operational demonstration in live or simulated air traffic environments.
• Full facility certification includes ATCS rating in GCA; CTO rating in Tower; completion of the Watch Supervisor (WS) Qualification Training Package (QTP), within the period of time proscribed by the Air Traffic Manager, to perform CIC duties; and, completion of the Trainer QTP, within 45 days, to perform OJT instructor duties.
• In order to qualify, you must meet the SPECIALIZED experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Air Traffic Control Series, GS-2152.
• Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-10, or equivalent in other pay systems.
• Examples of specialized experience include 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.
• Examples of specialized experience include 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.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-10 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.
• NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
• Knowledge of the functional/operational limitations of all ATC equipment, as well as radar systems, weather indicators, approach lighting, airfield lighting, NAVAIDS, remote status indicators (RSI), arrest systems, radios, landlines, recording equipment, ATC simulation systems, and any other equipment pertaining to ATC services.
• Knowledge of both radar and non-radar procedures for control and separation of aircraft utilizing vector, speed control, time parameters, reporting points, vertical and lateral separation techniques.
• Knowledge of weather phenomena and localized effects.
• Ability to operate weather system displays; acquiring numerous data for different airports and areas for timely dissemination to aircrews and other ATC agencies.
• Knowledge of the relationship and coordination required between ATC and non-ATC agencies, and other components of the National Airspace System.
• General knowledge of military organization, including familiarity with component major command, DoD and FAA hierarchy and internal structure, operational methods, rank, customs and protocol is needed.
• Knowledge of National Airspace Systems (NAS), its complex airway structures, satellite airport configurations, NAVAIDS, and Special Use Airspace (SUA) such as a Military Operations Area (MOA).
• Knowledge of MOA and other SUA and the application of procedures for control of military aircraft in and out of this airspace ensuring other military and general aviation aircraft are separated and traffic flows maintained.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations and procedures governing the movement of air traffic and ATC operations.
• Knowledge of the rules, regulations and procedures governing the conduct of ATC operations and the separation of aircraft in terminal radar approach control and Control Tower operations.
• Knowledge of standard administration and correspondence practices required to manage administrative functions such as publications, operating instructions, filing plans, etc. is required.
• Ability to make rapid and precise judgments in a real-time work situation, remain calm under conditions that are stressful, coordinate many different processes at once, and adjust rapidly to changes in the traffic pattern and tempo of work activity.
• Ability to control numerous aircraft operations from several satellite airports within airspace of jurisdiction; applying departure and arrival procedures, which must be rapidly assimilated and mentally updated with rapid changes occurring in the traffic system.
• Ability to conduct classroom instruction and on-the-job training (OJI).
• Proven capability to apply the procedures and standards for separation and control of IFR, VFR, and SVFR aircraft.
• Capability to communicate effectively (rapidly, clearly, and distinctly) verbally and in writing; to act decisively in emergency situations; and, to provide appropriate reporting procedures as required.
• Incumbent must utilize effective communication skills (oral and written) in dealing with a variety of individuals and groups to ensure timely coordination and accomplishment of assigned projects.
• Contact involves formal/informal meetings and public forums and telephone conversations with military and civilian government officials and military and civilian aviation officials in numerous public organizations.
• The maximum age for original entry into an identified ATC position is 36 years. An individual shall NOT be appointed or assigned to an ATC position if that appointment cannot be completed prior to the last day of the month in which the individual reaches his/her 36th birthday.
• Applicants over the age limit must meet re-entry or age waiver requirements in accordance with DoDI 1400.25-V331 dated 26 Jan 15, Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Manual, Subchapter 331, Civilian Air Traffic Controllers.
• Any individual who has reached the mandatory separation age (56) is NOT eligible for employment/reemployment as an ATC (5 U.S.C. 3323(a) (reference (b)).
• ATCs have a mandatory separation age of 56.
• This position is covered as an Air Traffic Controller under 5 USC 2109.
• This position is subject to the special retirement provisions for Air Traffic Controllers under CSRS and FERS (5 USC 3382, Involuntary Separation for Retirement; 5 USC 8335(a) and 8425(a), Mandatory Separation; 5 USC 8336(e), Immediate Retirement; 5 USC 8339(3) and 8415(d), Computation of annuity, and 8412(e).
• ATC Specialist in receipt of a refund, of retirement contributions for the years of service covered under special retirement, will not receive service credit towards the 20 years required to retire under special retirement coverage, unless the redeposit is paid in full prior to date of retirement.
• Air traffic control specialists in all specializations must possess or obtain, within uniformly applicable time limits, the facility ratings required for full performance at the facility where the position is located.
• Applicants must possess or obtain a valid Air Traffic Control Specialist Certificate and/or Control Tower Operator Certificate, if appropriate.
• These certificates require demonstrating knowledge of basic meteorology, basic air navigation, standard air traffic control and communications procedures, the types and uses of air navigation aids, and regulations governing air traffic.
• In general, air traffic control specialist applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of these positions without risk to themselves or others.
• The provision of sufficient information about physical capacity for employment requires that before appointment, applicants undergo appropriate pre-employment physical/medical evaluations.
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• At least 5 years of ATC terminal (Radar Approach Control, Ground Controlled Approach or Tower) controller experience is highly desired.
• At least 5 years of supervisory ATC experience (USAF Watch Supervisor, USN/USMC Watch Supervisor, USN/USMC Facility Watch Supervisor, USA Shift Leader, Controller-in-Charge, or other FAA equivalent) is highly desired.
• At least 10 years of ATC experience and experience in the ATC career field within the last 3 years is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Performs duties as Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) Radar Controller.
• Performs duty as Tower Controller.
• Performs and serves as Controller-in-Charge (CIC) when no official supervisory personnel are available.
• Performs on-the-job training (OJT) for developmental controllers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed