Duties
The Air Traffic Control Specialist is an authority on airspace management principles, and uses technical experience to participate in the development of policy and draft amendments (e.g., notices of proposed rulemaking and final rules) for 14 CFR parts 65, 71, 73, 77, 91, 93, 99, 101, 103, 105, and 189 airspace actions for publication in the Federal Register. Process non-rulemaking special use airspace (SUA) proposals and prepare National Flight Data Digest (NFDD) inputs for approved non-rulemaking SUA proposals.
Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations to evaluate, interpret, and communicate complex regulatory and procedural matters. Utilizes analytical data to advise senior management on agency rulemaking initiatives, airspace proposals, boundary certifications, and other national airspace actions. Provides informed recommendations on regulatory matters, including Title 14 CFR Part 71 (Class B, C, D, and E airspace; air traffic services (ATS) routes), Part 73 (restricted and prohibited areas), as well as non-rulemaking actions such as military operations areas, temporary flight restrictions, and national security zones. Offers technical insight to inform decisions on inter-agency actions involving the Department of State, Department of Defense, and other external stakeholders.
Leads rulemaking projects or participates in strategic assessments of proposed and existing airspace structures, applying operational experience and regulatory knowledge to determine impact on National Airspace System (NAS) efficiency, safety, and capacity. Develops rules, policy, and standards for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace; reviews and analyzes the potential effect of proposed changes in airspace allocation and recommends national policy for establishing airspace. Develops recommendations to support redesign initiatives and facilitate national airspace modernization efforts.
Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities within established schedules. Establishes and maintains internal control systems for rulemaking workflow, including document tracking, stakeholder engagement records, and data repositories for historical airspace actions. Uses these tools to inform future rulemaking priorities and increase transparency across organizational units.
Analyzes stakeholder proposals for airspace modification or creation, including submissions from DoD, private sector, and state agencies. Evaluates technical feasibility, environmental considerations, and regulatory compliance, and prepares formal response packages or guidance for inclusion in national rulemaking deliberations, Congressional inquiries and proposed legislation.
Serves as technical liaison between the Office of Rulemaking and operational field facilities, translating procedural intent into functional application. Coordinates the integration of airspace rule changes with facility operations teams to ensure alignment with staffing, equipment, and procedural readiness.
Contacts are internal and external to the agency. Often represents the organization as a senior point of contact on projects and programs. The work is carried out independently and requires initiative in planning, executing, and managing assigned responsibilities.
Develops and presents policy briefings to senior FAA executives and external agency leadership, articulating the operational impact of proposed changes in airspace classification, air traffic services routing, and special use airspace designations. Uses data visualization tools and operational metrics to support recommendations. Reviews international airspace proposals and participates in bilateral or multilateral negotiations, collaborating with agencies such as ICAO, DoD, and DHS to harmonize domestic policy with international airspace management standards and security protocols.
Required Documents
Only supplemental documentation (e.g., transcript, certifications, SF-50, and/or veterans’ documentation) will be accepted in combination with your online application. These documents must be uploaded or faxed to 202-267-7032 or 1-866-291-3009 on or before the closing date of the announcement. All submitted documents must reference the announcement number.
(1) resume with complete work history; and
(2) a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).ALL applicants MUST submit the following:
For guidance on how to create a federal resume, visit http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/resume-guide.pdf.
Failure to submit all required documents by the closing date will result in a finding of ineligible. We are not responsible for incomplete, illegible or missing documents.
Please DO NOT email your application documents. We cannot accept documents received via the email system. Documents sent via email will NOT receive consideration.
All Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit either a DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 Copy or equivalent), or a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions. If you are claiming 10 point preference, you must also submit a completed SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference, and supporting documents outlined on the SF-15. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran.
If you are claiming 10 point preference but fail to submit the supporting documents outlined on the SF-15, you will be tentatively assessed as a 5 point preference eligible provided your DD Form 214 reflects that you have the service required to qualify for preference. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran.
Veterans currently on active duty claiming veterans' preference: You will be granted tentative preference if you submit a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions and your application shows that you have the required service. Prior to being appointed, you must provide to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office a DD Form 214 documenting discharge/release and showing that the service was honorable or general. If you are on terminal leave, you must provide documentation certifying authorized terminal leave.
If you want consideration for one or more of the Special Hiring Authorities, documentation that must be submitted at time of application can be found at
Direct Hiring Authorities | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov).
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
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.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.
We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
- Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
- Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
- Employer's name and address
- Supervisor name and phone number
- Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
- Salary (optional)
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. Please see this guide,
Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.
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.