Duties
Serves as an Aviation Technical Systems Specialist, he/she applies experience and advanced technical knowledge of NAS equipment, procedures, and safety interventions including their interrelatedness and functions, in order to design, develop, modify, or evaluate the NAS. As a contributing specialist, he/she participates on inter-disciplinary technical teams to assist in the design, development, modification, or evaluation of the NAS. Applies multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary scientific principles, qualitative methods, and modeling to study and analyze complex NAS systems and programs to assist in proposing an alternative course of action in the acquisition, management, and deployment of major aviation related systems or programs.
The Specialist participates as a technical team member and is responsible for supporting the oversight and analysis of all facets of the automation systems related to Air Traffic Control (ATC) activities within the facility. This position supports multiple, varying, and complex assignments under the direction of a Field Manager, project manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. The Specialist provides support to a project team leader for large work activities. Typical duties include (1) performing required research to identify, analyze, and resolve operational automation discrepancies; (2) ensuring the adequacy of automation support based on knowledge of air traffic control procedures and a general knowledge of facility traffic flows; (3) developing, maintaining, testing, and modifying adaptation databases to ensure that maximum effectiveness is achieved and that data is processed in a precise and timely manner; (4) coordinating with staff at local and other air traffic facilities regarding automation decisions and activities that could impact NAS operations.
The Specialist resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention, which could cause an operational impact to current and future NAS systems. Works continuously with second level engineering personnel and appropriate levels of management to provide information and data with respect to national system planning, configuration management, and technological considerations and adaptations that have a major impact on air traffic and NAS systems.
The Specialist participates on special and projects or teams to evaluate the effectiveness of automation and aviation services. Performs technical analysis, documentation, and related tasks in direct support of the air traffic operations. Provides technical assistance to operational personnel for the resolution of aviation system malfunctions. Considers the objectives of the major subdivision and/or line of business when developing, integrating, and implementing solutions to diverse, complex problems.
Contacts are internal and external. The Specialist communicates with Technical Operations, Air Traffic representatives, and the National Adaptation Team to analyze software and adaptation requirements and to support second level engineering activities. May coordinate air traffic software adaptation changes and requirements with multiple air traffic control facilities, military base operations, airlines and international air traffic control organizations. Communicates results to all levels internally and externally. Contributes to the preparation of reports or technical documents.
The Specialist works at a field site with direction and guidance provided by the Second Level Engineering Field Manager. The Specialist works in a team environment and works with a team lead or manager to support the decisions related to the maintenance of adaptation and software systems critical to the safe operation of the NAS.
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.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-H, FG/GS-10-12. 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: Experience with aviation computer systems and software analysis programs in support of the National Airspace System, to include performing analysis and testing of automation systems adaptation.
Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed. If the selection list is shortened to a best qualified list through a comparative process, then the best qualified list shall be considered to be the selection list.
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.
As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.
In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.
Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the KSAs listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) of 2.49% is authorized and is subject to change without notice.
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
Only supplemental documentation, e.g. transcripts or veteran's documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded or emailed to jennifer.a.lowery@faa.gov on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.
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.