Duties
Airway Transportation Systems Specialists (ATSS) are the safe-keepers of the systems and equipment that keep air travel in the United States safer than in any other country in the world. Whether you have an interest in computer science, electronics systems, HVAC, or electrical systems, you will find a fulfilling career as an ATSS. We have a team of more than 4,000 talented technicians that install, operate, maintain, and repair more than 74,000 pieces of aviation safety equipment located across all of the United States and outlying U.S. territories. Our radar, data automation, communications, navigational aids, HVAC, airport lighting, and power systems provide services critical to the success and safety of our National Airspace System (NAS). Among other functions, these services enable Air Traffic Controllers to see and communicate with aircraft personnel and help pilots navigate safely from takeoff to landing. We run a 24/7 non-stop operation that is responsible for safe travel throughout the U.S. states and all U.S. territories.
All duties of an ATSS are tied to maintaining safe and efficient operating capacity of the vast and complex network of electronics systems required for the world's largest air traffic control and navigation system. As a Student ATSS, you will assist full-performance level Airway Transportation Systems Specialist personnel to install, evaluate, modify and certify facilities, services, and equipment that support the NAS.
Students will work closely with full-performance level specialists in acquiring basic knowledge and hands-on experience in one or more NAS technical discipline areas: Communications, Radar, Navigational Aids, Automation, Power, Weather, and/or Environmental. Students will be expected to meet academic, performance, and standards set forth by the Gateways Program and the Agency. Assignments will also involve observing and following safety procedures while working with a full-performance level ATSS to understand that the job at hand can involve high voltage, mechanical movement, elevated work surfaces, and/or radiation hazards.
Students develop a foundation of basic knowledge supplemented by work experience and formal education. This includes knowledge of basic electronic and/or electrical theory, aptitude for solving mathematical problems (algebra and/or trigonometry to perform electronic/electrical calculations), reading and interpreting technical drawings, and applying basic physics theory.
Students will use electronic test equipment required for maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing of NAS equipment/systems, as well as use proper protective equipment and safety procedures while accomplishing work assignments.
Features of the Gateways Internship Program
Appointment: If selected, your temporary appointment may not exceed a total of 120 days after graduation.
Agreement: All participants must sign a written Gateways Internship Agreement with the FAA that clearly identifies expectations of the appointment such as duties, length of appointment, work schedule, training, mentorship, etc.
Conversion: Although it is not guaranteed, an intern may be converted from the Internship program to a permanent, excepted service position without further competition after successful completion of the educational program (awarding of degree), completion of a minimum of 640 hours of career-related work, required training, mentorship, and other requirements in accordance with the intern's participant agreement. Additionally, the intern must meet qualification requirements and any other position requirements associated with the position to which converted.
Termination: Participation in this program may be terminated at any time.
Transcripts:Must be submitted. If you do not submit your transcripts, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be given further consideration.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the applicant.
Required Documents
Supplemental documentation, e.g. transcripts or veteran's documentation will be accepted in combination with your online application. These documents must be uploaded or emailed to 9-ACT-HR-Questions@faa.gov or faxed to 609-485-8995 on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number, ACT-AJW-25-GATEWAY-93535.
This position has a positive education requirement; college transcripts are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 2199 series.
College transcripts must be submitted from current FAA employees applying for internal vacancies if they have never held a position in the 2199 series with the FAA.
College transcripts are not required from current FAA employees who are currently occupying a 2199 series.
If selected, official transcripts are required prior to employment.
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
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.