Federal Aviation Administration — Washington, District of Columbia
Pay: $127,898–$198,281 per year
This position is located in the Safety Service Unit (AJI), Safety Directorate, Safety Services Group, HQ QA Team (AJI-1540). The Group is responsible for monitoring safety reports and analyzing data and risk indicators to identify root causes of hazards and safety issues. The Group takes risk-based decisions and coordinates safety-related activities to influence air traffic, technical operations service areas, and field-based safety mitigations.
Duties As an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS), this position applies experience gained in a terminal or en route air traffic control facility to evaluate facility operations and individual events for risk. The ATCS combines information necessary to create safety trend data and performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments to assess compliance and potential risk in the National Airspace System (NAS).
Applies comprehensive knowledge of air traffic staff programs, such as procedures, traffic management, and quality assurance to furnish national-level expertise to identify and analyze data used to identify system-wide safety events. Identifies the areas of highest potential risk, as well as effective and ineffective barriers to safety and associated mitigation strategies. This work directly contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations and is critical to maintaining the safety of the NAS and the flying public.
The ATCS applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations as well as FAA programs, regulations, and missions to assess compliance efforts and safety risks. Utilizes knowledge of and experience with NAS Services Performance Tools, such as the Comprehensive Electronic Data Analysis and Reporting (CEDAR) system, the FALCON replay tool, and the Aviation Risk Identification and Assessment (ARIA), to collect and analyze safety data. Identifies safety hazards and recommends actions that directly lead to corrective action through mitigation.
Interprets safety management, quality control, and operational regulations and policies to evaluate current policies and procedures to recommend changes based on data analysis; and to review and analyze aviation safety data. Identifies effective and ineffective barriers to safety and associated mitigation strategies. Audits air traffic operations and analyzes safety data to identify areas of highest potential risk. The ATCS reviews FAA Search and Rescue support actions. Contacts are internal and external to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The ATCS often represents AJI as a senior point of contact for quality assurance initiatives and technical evaluations of both Federal and non-Federal facilities and equipment. Contacts include facility managers, system users, quality control groups (QCG), and other entities within the safety arena.
As an authority in quality assurance programs, the ATCS works independently, although the work is subject to review by program officials and representatives for quality of results, compatibility with regional and national goals, conformance with established policies, and consonance with program objectives. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities with established schedules.
Although broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for completing work objectives, the ATCS is allowed considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches and draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems. Although most work is performed independently, the Team Manager reviews work typically through status reports and at completion. Work contributes directly to the accomplishment of air traffic and other FAA objectives and the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations.
Qualifications Candidates must have one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (FV-I or FG/GS-13) that is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position successfully. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Experience interpreting safety management, quality control, and operational regulations and policies to evaluate current policies and procedures and recommend changes. Experience using performance tools to assist with risk mitigation efforts. Experience analyzing safety data, identifying safety hazards, and recommending actions to mitigate hazards. Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE.
You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification. *Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.
* Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA. **All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. ** Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement.
Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; or (3) alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration. Experience in a military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the level of work of the specialization for which application is made. This experience must have provided a comprehensive knowledge of appropriate air traffic control laws, rules, and regulations.
In accordance with HRPM EMP 1.29/1.29a, this position MAY be Career Enhancement Program/Career Progression assignment. The selectee(s) may be eligible for pay retention. Career Diversity is not enhanced when an employee is assigned to a staff or supervisory position in which they previously held on a permanent basis. CEP/CP selectees will be required to certify eligibility. Pay retention is not guaranteed.
When applying, reference WingmanPro.
Before you apply, ask. WingmanPro's community side is free to read with no account: aviation groups and pilot forums for type-specific and regional communities, and WingmanNetwork for what people are posting about reserve, upgrades, checkrides and who is actually hiring.