Air Traffic Control Specialist - Trainee Job in FAA - Air Traffic Locations

Vacancy No. FAA-ATO-25-ALLSRCE-94224 Department Federal Aviation Administration
Salary $47,763.00 to $47,763.00 Grade 3 to 3
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/27/2025 Close Date 3/17/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
FAA - Air Traffic Locations


Summary

Air Traffic Control Trainee

As an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS), you are responsible for the safe and expeditious movement of air traffic throughout our nation's airspace. Developmental controllers receive rigorous training in controlling and separating live air traffic within designated airspace at and around an airport traffic Control Tower, a Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (TRACON) or an Air Route Traffic Control Facility (ARTCC). Do you have what it takes to be an ATCS?

Duties

  • Good news – no prior air traffic experience is required. If you apply and are selected, all of the employment conditions associated with this FG-3 position will apply, even if you have specialized experience that would have otherwise qualified you for a higher grade under an experienced vacancy announcement.
  • While attending academy training you will be on a temporary appointment subject to successful Academy completion. As an Academy student, you’ll receive basic and initial qualification air traffic control training at the FAA Academy, including familiarization with aircraft types, America’s air traffic control system and the aviation industry, as well as classroom instruction and workshop exercises that will help you learn the air traffic control system.
  • When you successfully graduate the Academy, you will have the option to select from a vast list of facilities with greatest staffing needs. The FAA has Air Traffic Control Facilities in every state and most U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam). This announcement is open to applicants willing to work at any FAA Air Traffic Control Facility. Declining to select a facility from the robust list of available facilities will result in termination of employment, as placement will be based upon the needs of the FAA.
  • Along with facility placement, successful Academy graduates are offered a permanent appointment with a salary ranging from $46,560 - $175,785 depending on your location (applicants with prior ATCS experience will have their salary set in accordance with the ATCS Collective Bargaining Agreement upon conversion).
  • You’ll receive pay increases as you successfully complete each progressive phase of ATCS training at your assigned facility. It is important to note that annual salary varies greatly by facility and complexity level. Generally, most controllers are making a six-figure salary within three years. The time to reach Certified Professional Controller (CPC) or full certification and pay is approximately 2-3 years depending on the facility size, level, and complexity. Last year, the average for Certified Professional Controllers was $158,000 per year. Failure to certify to CPC level will result in separation, demotion or reassignment.
  • Individuals who do not successfully complete training at the FAA Academy and all other necessary requirements will have their employment terminated.
  • Prior failure of FAA Academy training or prior declination of a permanent facility placement offer after completing Academy training may constitute a basis for non-selection and/or Veterans' Preference pass over.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • Passing Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) score required. Currently, FAA is selecting only candidates who score in the Well Qualified range.
  • Medical clearance, including medical exam and psychological screening required.
  • Security clearance, Access National Agency Check (ANACI), or higher prior to enter on duty required.
  • Irregular duty hours, a nonstandard work week, or tour of duty may be required.

Qualifications

Successful candidates must be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment.

To qualify, you must meet ONE of the following FIVE minimum qualifications for this position:

Additional Pool eligibilities are required based on specific Pool election. Please read this section carefully and contact Aviation Careers (aviation.careers@faa.gov) with any questions prior to the vacancy close date.

APPLICANT POOLS:

POOL 1 - ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants MUST meet one of the following criteria (1, 2, OR 3) listed below, and MUST provide supporting documentation, in the 'Required Documents' Section of this announcement in order to be eligible for consideration in Pool 1.

1. A graduate from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program, and who has received from the institution an official endorsement letter.

2. A Veteran eligible for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) pursuant to Section 4214 of Title 38. To determine if you meet VRA eligibility additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/veteran-job-seekers/vets/.

3. An eligible Veteran maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of their military experience and/or entitled to Veterans' Preference (must meet eligibility requirements in section 2108 of Title 5, United States Code).

POOL 2 - ELIGIBILITY:

Pool 2 applicants are all other U.S. Citizens who do not meet the requirements for Pool 1, OR Pool 1 eligibles who elect to be considered for Pool 2. If eligible for Pool 1, applicants may elect consideration for Pool 2; but not both.

Pool 2 applicants may not apply for Pool 1 unless they meet the eligibility requirements outlined for Pool 1.

AGE REQUIREMENTS: If experience was gained as a civilian ATCS with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Department of Defense (DOD), you must have been hired prior to age 31 and provide supporting documentation (copies of SF-50 personnel actions).A maximum age of 30 years is established for initial entry into air traffic control positions (2152 series) covered by Public Law 92-297. Persons who have reached their 31st birthday on the vacancy close date may not be appointed to these positions.

THERE ARE 5 WAYS TO QUALIFY

1. One-year general experience. Applicants must self-certify on the applicant questionnaire that they have at least one year of general experience. This may be one year of full-time work experience (2080 hours; may include a combination of paid/unpaid jobs and volunteer work).

2. Education. Applicants must self-certify through the application questionnaire a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. An associate degree alone does not meet the minimum requirement, see how to qualify based on combination or education and work experience bullet below.1.2

Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) candidates under Pool 1: To be eligible for Pool 1 You must provide a transcript must that reflects the confer date and provide the Official CTI Endorsement Letter at time of application. 2025 Spring Semester graduates - you must provide current transcripts (official or unofficial) and you will be required to provide final transcripts reflecting degree earned and confer date prior to any offer of employment, if selected. *Please note, an Official Endorsement Letter is not a personal recommendation.

3. Combination of education and work experience. Applicants must self-certify through the application questionnaire that they have education and experience that equates to one year. At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a bachelor's degree is credited based on its relationship to

120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours

. Example: Candidates with an associate degree must also have some work experience to meet this combination requirement.

4. Specialized experience as an Air Traffic Control Specialist: applicants qualifying based on specialized experience must provide supporting documentation that verifies this requirement has been met (e.g., FAA certificate, military certificate or training record).

5. Alternative requirements: applicants must provide supporting documentation that verifies at least one of the following alternative requirements are met:

    • a. Hold or have held an appropriate facility rating and have actively controlled air traffic in civilian or military air traffic control terminals or centers
    • b. Hold or have held an FAA certificate as a dispatcher for an air carrier
    • c. Hold or have held an instrument flight rating
    • d. Hold or have held an FAA certificate as a navigator or have been fully qualified as a Navigator/Bombardier in the Armed Forces
    • e. Have 350 hours of flight time as a copilot or higher and hold or have held a private certificate or equivalent Armed Forces rating
    • f. Have served as a rated Aerospace Defense Command Intercept Director

Minimum qualifications required for all positions; additional eligibilities required based on Pool election. If you elect Pool 1, and it is determined that you do not meet Pool 1 eligibility, you will automatically be considered under Pool 2 eligibility requirements.


Education

All applicants who are using education to qualify must self-certify their education through the application questionnaire.

Education obtained must be earned from schools accredited and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

If seeking Pool 1 eligibility, CTI graduates (including 2025 Spring graduates) must provide current transcripts (official or unofficial) and will be required to provide final transcripts reflecting degree earned and confer date prior to employment, if selected. Additionally, graduates will be required to provide the official endorsement letter, an Official Endorsement Letter is not a personal recommendation. This letter should be on official CTI school letter head, signed by the designated CTI point of contact, and certify/endorse that all CTI program requirements have been met (or would have been met/effective as of 12/31/13).

Preview Job Questionnaire

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.

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.

  • As a new ATCS, you will spend your first several weeks of employment in an intensive paid training program at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK. ATCS trainees will receive an hourly wage plus full benefits. The FAA also provides food, housing, and travel allowances to help offset daily cost of living while attending the FAA Academy in accordance with applicable agency policies.
  • Entrance on Duty Requirements (EOD): If you do not complete all of the pre-employment requirements within 60 days from the date of the Clearance Instruction Letter (CIL), you will be removed from the hiring process under this announcement.
  • All position will be required to complete the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA).applicants meeting basic qualifications (one of the five ways to qualify) for the
    • The FAA is searching for candidates that demonstrate the highest aptitude as determined by the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) result. Only candidates with a well-qualified result will be considered for selection. If you have taken the ATSA and did not receive a well-qualified result, we encourage you to retake the ATSA.
    • Travel to & from testing locations will be at the expense of the applicant.
    • Most recent ATSA results will be utilized for referral, regardless of if they are higher or lower than previous result.
    • Candidates referred and tentatively selected for ATCS positions will be assigned to either the En Route or Terminal (this includes TRACON) tracks based upon receipt of required clearances and the next available Academy class date.

This position is eligible but not in a bargaining unit.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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. 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

Please utilize this link for a helpful checklist: application-checklist

  • Resume
  • Official Transcripts with confer date (if applicable)
  • Veterans preference documents - DD-214, VA letter, SF-15, statement of service letter (if applicable)
  • SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable) If you do not have a copy of your initial Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50/new-hire action into the 2152 series), you can request it through the National Personnel Records Center at the following link: https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/opf.

    In addition, Collegiate Training Initiative applicants must provide:

    • Official Transcripts with confer date
    • Endorsement letter


Forms:
  • SF-15  : Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference

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

Applications will be accepted online until 11:59PM Eastern Time on the closing date of the job opportunity announcement (JOA). For helpful tips on how to apply, click on the links below: Air Traffic Control Hiring: What Goes in my Resume? https://youtu.be/5bmnsIRPDPk Applying to be an ATCS - Helpful Tips https://youtu.be/Rzgv33Ah-qc


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.

Agency contact information

Aviation Careers
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Careers Branch
6500 S. Macarthur Blvd, HQ Room 139
AHF-S300
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
US

Next steps

For helpful tips on the next steps in the application process for this vacancy announcement, please click this link: Air Traffic Control Hiring: I Applied, What's Next? https://youtu.be/pB8Y0k27fOo

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.

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.