Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal)

Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command • Westover Air Reserve Base, MA

1d

About The Position

The primary purpose of this position is to provide visual flight rules (VFR) air traffic control services to aircraft operating near an airport or on the airfield’s controlled movement area, supporting the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic. The specialist controls military and civilian aircraft in a control tower environment, observes and reports airport advisories, critical weather information, and equipment outages, provides instruction and assistance to air traffic control personnel, and maintains required certifications.

The position requires a valid air traffic controller certification and the ability to obtain and maintain the facility ratings required for full performance. The employee must meet continuing physical, mental, and medical standards for air traffic control duties, complete required training within local time limits, and obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. The incumbent must also complete local limited weather observer certification requirements.

This is a mission-essential, mission-critical position that must continue uninterrupted during an emergency. The role may involve rotating shifts, overtime, uncommon tours that include Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, short-notice recall for emergency traffic or contingencies, travel away from the normal duty station, and work under adverse environmental conditions. The position is subject to mandatory air traffic controller retirement and separation provisions. At least one year of specialized experience at the GS-09 level or equivalent is required; one year at GS-09 is also required for applicable federal time-in-grade eligibility. The announcement states that at least five years of tower-controller experience and at least ten years of ATC experience, including experience in the field within the last three years, are highly desired.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Possess a valid air traffic controller certification and maintain its currency; applicants must possess or obtain a valid Air Traffic Control Specialist Certificate and/or Control Tower Operator Certificate, if appropriate.
• Obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Meet continuing physical, mental, and medical standards for air traffic control duties, including appropriate pre-employment physical or medical evaluations.
• Complete all training requirements within locally prescribed time limits and obtain and maintain the required full facility rating.
• Meet the specialized experience requirement: at least one year at the next lower grade, GS-09, or equivalent, in a military or civilian air traffic facility, including relevant knowledge and skills for the specialization.
• For applicable merit-promotion applicants, meet the federal time-in-grade requirement of one year at GS-09 for consideration at GS-10.
• Demonstrate knowledge of air traffic laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and terminal/tower procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the operational limitations of ATC equipment and related airfield systems, including lighting, weather instructions, navigation aids, remote status indicators, arresting systems, and landlines.
• Demonstrate knowledge of weather phenomena and localized effects.
• Demonstrate the ability to make rapid, precise judgments; remain calm under stress; coordinate multiple processes; and adjust to changes in traffic patterns and workload.
• Communicate rapidly, clearly, and distinctly orally and in writing; act decisively in emergencies; and follow required reporting procedures.
• Meet applicable ATC age and re-entry requirements; original entry must be completed before the last day of the month in which the individual reaches age 36, subject to stated re-entry or waiver rules, and individuals who have reached mandatory separation age 56 are not eligible.
• Pass initial and periodic short-notice drug testing.
• Meet the stated Ready Reserve restriction for this position.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• At least five years of ATC tower-controller experience is highly desired; at least ten years of ATC experience and ATC career-field experience within the last three years are also highly desired.

Nice To Haves

• At least five years of air traffic control tower-controller experience.
• At least ten years of air traffic control experience and experience in the ATC career field within the last three years.

Responsibilities

• Control military and civilian aircraft under visual flight rules in a control tower environment.
• Observe and report airport advisories, critical weather information, and equipment outages.
• Provide instruction and assistance to air traffic control personnel.
• Maintain air traffic control certification and currency.
• Complete required training within locally prescribed time limits to obtain and maintain a full facility rating.
• Complete local limited weather observer certification requirements.
• Respond, when required, to short-notice recall supporting unscheduled emergency air traffic, contingencies, or exercises.

Benefits

• A federal employee benefits package is available; eligibility depends on the type of position held, including whether it is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.
• Disabled veteran leave may be available to eligible federal employees hired on or after November 5, 2016, who are veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.
• PCS expenses may be paid if authorized under applicable regulations; the unit may pay PCS expenses.
• A recruitment incentive or relocation incentive may be authorized.
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request.
• The position may be entitled to 5% premium pay as authorized by law.

What This Job Offers

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