Air Traffic Assistant (Flight Data Communications Specialist) Job in Fort Worth, TX

Vacancy No. ASW-ATO-26-CN190-98637 Department Federal Aviation Administration
Salary $59,596.00 to $89,398.00 Grade F to F
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/12/2026 Close Date 6/1/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Fort Worth, TX


Summary

Position is an Air Traffic Assistant/Flight Data Communications Specialist (FDCS) at an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and is responsible for providing flight data processing and communications service for the National Airspace System (NAS).

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees.

Duties

Performs a combination of routine, multiple, and varying specialized flight data assignments and provides support to complex air traffic control facilities under the general direction of a manager and/or team leader. Acts as an individual contributor in assigned area of expertise on broad work activities and/or may be individually responsible for projects. Applies experience and detailed knowledge of air traffic control, flight data procedures and operations. Contributes directly to the success of regional or national programs of the integrated National Airspace System (NAS), as well as research and development efforts.

Relays instrument flight rules (IFR) departure clearances including clearance and control information, for satellite, uncontrolled airports and temporary military/civilian airports and special events operations. Relays cancellation of flight plans for satellite or uncontrolled airports to approach controls and ARTCCs. Supports large scale military exercises and military alert responsibilities by entering flight plans, notification procedures, and airspace configuration commands into the NAS. Responsible for the coordination and approval of airspace requests from military units. Tracks all requests and approvals. Disseminates data to the appropriate air traffic sectors within the operational computer systems. Processes and monitors the input of proposed and active flight plans for ARTCC, terminal facilities, flight service stations, general aviation, and air carrier operations. 

At the request of Air Traffic Operations Manager in Charge (OMIC), assists with search and rescue efforts including pilot contact information, Information Requests (INREQs, and Alerts Notices (ALNOTs). Provides manual flight plan processing and coordination during Canadian Automated Air Traffic System (CAATS)/ERAM equipment failures. Recognizes incorrect flight plan entries into the NAS and enters corrections as required. Amends proposed flight plans when requested by the flight crew, dispatch operations, Leidos Flight Service, or other air traffic facilities. Monitors ERAM for duplicate flight plans and takes appropriate action.

Responsible for ensuring the information in controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) is current. This includes updating the Blocked List by either adding or deleting aircraft from both the history or query lists. Monitors flights crossing international control boundaries and corrects information to allow processing of flight plan information to and from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) partners. Utilizes Traffic Situation Display (TSD)/Departure List Program to aid in processing departure information. Receives, acknowledges and/or transmits ICAO alert messages which include the following: Uncertainty phase (INCERFA), Alert phase (ALERFA) and Distress message (DISTRESFA). Assigns a Departure Transition Area (DTA) to a flight plan when advised by Air Traffic that the flight plan is missing a DTA, the aircraft does not have over water equipment, or the aircraft filed a flight plan from departure airport to destination airport. 

Responsible for filing Flight Restrictive Zones (FRZ) flight plans and Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) flight plans in and out of national defense airspace in the Washington D.C. area. Configures airspace for all appropriate air traffic facilities when they open and close, or when a situation arises that requires the airspace to be reconfigured. Serves as the focal point for weather dissemination which includes receiving and analyzing Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMETs), Air Mission Meteorological Information (AIRMETs), Center Weather Advisories (CWAs), Routine/Urgent Pilot Reports (PIREPs) and distributes the data to operations and NAS users. Monitors and updates Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) and Surface Weather Observation Stations (AWOS) information in ERAM and AIS-R. Coordinates outages with technicians. 

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • Security Requirements: Non-Critical Sensitive (2). This position requires completion and favorable adjudication of a background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. Subject to a 5-year period reinvestigation.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (FV-E or FG/GS-5/6). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is described as knowledge of and skill in the use of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control procedures. Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in work such as:

1. Civilian or military aircraft operations work, such as flight instructor, instrument rated pilot, flight engineer, or air transport pilot;

2. FAA Certified Dispatcher for an air carrier;

3. Flight Information Expediter involved in determining flight times of airplanes and transmitting information to flight operations and command centers;

4. Civilian or Military Air Traffic Controller;

5. Flight Data Processor;

OR

Successful completion of an FAA or Military Air Traffic Control Training Program;

OR

Possession of an FAA Control Tower Operator certificate.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

 

Education

Not Applicable.

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

Incomplete Applications: Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Your application/resume MUST have your official title, grade and series on your work history.

Salary will be set in accordance with the NAGE (SEIU) Consolidated Bargaining Contact.

INTERVIEWS: If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Required Documents

If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your on-line application, e.g. transcripts, SF-50, or veterans' documentation, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS. Supplemental documentation can also be faxed to (817) 222-5852 on or before the closing date of this announcement. Please include your name and the vacancy announcement number on each of your faxed pages. We cannot guarantee timely receipt or assume responsibility for the quality or legibility of any faxed documents. Regardless of the method of delivery, all supporting documentation MUST be received in the servicing Human Resources Office prior to the closing date of announcement.

Applicants will be considered ineligible if the SF-50 is not received due to incomplete application package on or before the closing date of this announcement.



If you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.

If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

As reminder, if you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. Note that your most recent SF-50 may not contain Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24.

Form SF-50 sent via email will NOT be considered. It may be uploaded to your on-line application or submitted by mail/fax.

For guidance on how to create a Federal resume, visit http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/resume-guide.pdf


Applicants may be required to complete one or multiple assessments as part of the evaluation process. This assessment aims to evaluate the competencies and qualifications essential for the position.

You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.

RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES. IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
  • Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week.
  • Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA.

Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.

You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies.

Agency contact information

Cory Nelson
Phone
1 (817) 222-4421
Fax
1 (817) 222-5852
Email
cory.nelson@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
ASW Regional Human Resources Division
10101 Hillwood Parkway
AHF-S410
Fort Worth, TX 76177
US

Next steps

Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.

Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.

Federal Aviation Administration

At the FAA, the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning. Exciting new opportunities are emerging in aviation and aerospace. Significant investments are advancing the research and development of autonomous vehicles, environmentally friendly electric aircraft, high-speed and long-endurance solar-powered aircraft, and new types of space vehicles. Success with these new technologies and vehicle types will introduce new ways to transport people and goods expanding aviation's footprint in transportation. People are our strength. We are a diverse workforce of over 44,000 located nationwide and spanning over 120 occupations to include air traffic control specialists, aviation safety inspectors, engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals. Join us in our mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Agency contact information

Cory Nelson
Phone
1 (817) 222-4421
Fax
1 (817) 222-5852
Email
cory.nelson@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
ASW Regional Human Resources Division
10101 Hillwood Parkway
AHF-S410
Fort Worth, TX 76177
US

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