AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST (TERMINAL)

Summary

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Duties

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SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of this position is: To be a dual-certified air traffic controller in both the Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) and Tower. Provide air traffic control (ATC) services to military and civilian aircraft in the terminal environment, including the immediate vicinity of an airport, on the controlled movement area of the airfield and within the terminal RAPCON environment (11,000 cubic miles of airspace, surface to 10,000 feet) using instrument flight (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR). To provide for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of terminal (Tower and Radar) air traffic to include Grissom ARB, 13 satellite civilian airports, 18 satellite civilian AI ports just outside the airspace boundary, 2 Military Operation Areas (MOA), 2 military Visual Routes (VR), 2 adjacent Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC), 5 adjacent FAA approach control facilities and 1 FAA Control Tower. To provide non-radar approach control services in allocated airspace, in the event of radar outages and limited coverage.

DUTIES:

1. Directs movement of aircraft on the ground and in flight in both Control Tower and Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) facilities as displayed on the Terminal Control Workstation, by visual means (Control Tower) and pilot reported.
2. Operates communication and display equipment and provides emergency assistance to aircraft.
3. Provides instruction and assistance to air traffic control personnel.
4. Maintains certification requirements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• The unit may pay for PCS expenses
• Must possess current and valid FANATC specialist certification and maintain same in both RAPCON and Tower
• Secret Clearance is a condition for employment. The employee will be required to maintain a Secret security clearance
• This is a testing designated position. The employee is subject to random drug testing
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft
• Must complete all training requirements within facility prescribed time limits to obtain and maintain a full facility rating in facility of assignment
• This position is covered as an Air Traffic Controller under 5 USC 2109
• The incumbent of this position must have the ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time while controlling aircraft in a dimly lit IFR room
• The incumbent must have the ability to meet and maintain on a continuing basis, the physical, mental, and medical standards for ATC duties as specified by the OPM qualification standard for GS-2152
• At least 5 years ATC radar controller experience is highly desired.
• At least 10 years of ATC experience and experience in the ATC career field within the last 3 years is highly desired.
• The position may require the employee to work under adverse environmental conditions

Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (cont'd)

• This position may be entitled to 5% premium pay as authorized by 5 USC 5546a (a)(1)
• May be required to work an uncommon tour of duty, i.e., Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. May be required rotating shifts and overtime. May be required to respond to short notice recall to support unscheduled emergency air traffic and/or contingencies/exercises to support the mission.
• This is a Key Position. Incumbents must be removed from their military recall status if alternatives for filling the position during an emergency are unavailable. The duties of this position meets all requirements as a category 4 designation, and shall not be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal Agency or office to function effectively. This position must be removed from the Ready Reserve and CAN NOT become a member of the Ready Reserve. (IAW: DoDD 1200.7, "Screening the Ready Reserve,").
• This position is subject to the special retirement provisions for Air Traffic Controllers under CSRS and FERS (5 USC 3382, Involuntary Separation for Retirement; 5 USC 8335(a) and 8425(a), Mandatory Separation; 5 USC 8336(e) and 8412(e), Immediate Retirement; 5 USC 8339(e) and 8415(d), Computation of annuity.
• IAW DoDI 3020-42 this position has been locally or command designated as Mission Essential (ME); needed to ensure the continued operation of mission essential functions of the activity. Mission Essential personnel may be required to report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or delayed reporting, and remain on duty during phased or early release.

In order to qualify, you must meet the SPECIALIZED experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-2152, Air Traffic Control Series.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-10, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include- experience in a military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrated 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. Examples of specialized experience include issuing control instructions and advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to assure proper separation of aircraft and to expedite their safe and efficient movement. This specialization also requires ability to act decisively under stressful situations and to maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure; skill to coordinate plans and actions with pilots and other controllers; and judgment to select and take the safest and most effective course of action from among several available choices.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-10 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations and procedures governing the movement of air traffic.
• Knowledge of Terminal Air Traffic Control (ATC) Procedures, including both tower and radar procedures.
• Knowledge of the functional/operational limitations of all ATC equipment for both RAPCON and Tower, as well as approach lighting, airfield lighting, weather instructions, navigational aids (NAVAIDS), remote status indicators, landlines, and any other equipment pertaining to ATC services.
• Knowledge of weather phenomena and localized effects.
• Ability to make rapid and precise judgments in a real-time work situation, remain calm under conditions that are stressful, coordinate many different processes at once, adjust rapidly to changes in the traffic pattern and tempo of work activity.
• Ability to communicate effectively (rapidly, clearly, and distinctly) orally and in writing; to act decisively in emergency situations; and to provide appropriate reporting procedures as required.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: The maximum age for original entry into an identified ATC position is 36 years. An individual shall NOT be appointed or assigned to an ATC position if that appointment cannot be completed prior to the last day of the month in which the individual reaches his/her 36th birthday. Applicants over the age limit must meet re-entry or age waiver requirements in accordance with DoDI 1400.25-V331 dated 26 Jan 15, Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Manual, Subchapter 331, Civilian Air Traffic Controllers. Any individual who has reached the mandatory separation age (56) is NOT eligible for employment/reemployment as an ATC (5 U.S.C. 3323(a) (reference (b)).

NOTE: ATCs have a mandatory separation age of 56. This position is covered as an Air Traffic Controller under 5 USC 2109. This position is subject to the special retirement provisions for Air Traffic Controllers under CSRS and FERS (5 USC 3382, Involuntary Separation for Retirement; 5 USC 8335(a) and 8425(a), Mandatory Separation; 5 USC 8336(e), Immediate Retirement; 5 USC 8339(3) and 8415(d), Computation of annuity, and 8412(e).

RE-ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: ATC Specialist in receipt of a refund, of retirement contributions for the years of service covered under special retirement, will not receive service credit towards the 20 years required to retire under special retirement coverage, unless the redeposit is paid in full prior to date of retirement.

REQUIREMENTS: Air traffic control specialists in all specializations must possess or obtain, within uniformly applicable time limits, the facility ratings required for full performance at the facility where the position is located. Applicants must possess or obtain a valid Air Traffic Control Specialist Certificate and/or Control Tower Operator Certificate, if appropriate. These certificates require demonstrating knowledge of basic meteorology, basic air navigation, standard air traffic control and communications procedures, the types and uses of air navigation aids, and regulations governing air traffic.

Medical Requirements: In general, air traffic control specialist applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of these positions without risk to themselves or others. The provision of sufficient information about physical capacity for employment requires that before appointment, applicants undergo appropriate pre-employment physical/medical evaluations.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to