Air Traffic Control Specialist

Summary

System Operations Security (AJR-2) leads the Air Traffic Organization¿s (ATO) operations-centric efforts in the national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, disaster response, and other significant incident management arenas. During a national-scope security event, the SOSC is on immediate recall in order to provide support to national defense and homeland security.

Duties

This Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) serves as the Air Traffic Security Specialist (ATSS) within the System Operations Support Center (SOSC), exercising independent operational authority in support of the National Airspace System (NAS), the Domestic Events Network (DEN), and the Joint Air Traffic Crisis Action Team (JACAT). Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures, national defense protocols, and aviation security operations to ensure the NAS maintains a safe, orderly, and efficient flow of domestic, military, and international air traffic. Provides real-time operational support and decision-making during emerging security events, airspace anomalies, and national defense¿related activities impacting NAS operations. Receives, validates, writes, and publishes United States Secret Service (USSS) requests for Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and associated NOTAMs supporting all movements for the President of the United States (POTUS), Vice President of the United States (VPOTUS), and First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) travel. Coordinates with the White House Military Office (WHMO) to receive, prepare, and transmit highly sensitive executive travel itineraries, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and secure dissemination to operational stakeholders. Ensures all executive movement TFRs meet regulatory, security, and operational requirements and are integrated seamlessly into NAS operations. Participates in the development, review, and publication of national security event TFRs (14 CFR 99.7), ensuring compliance with federal security directives and operational feasibility. Conducts quality control reviews of all TFRs issued nationwide, identifying errors, inconsistencies, or operational risks, and coordinating corrections with originating authorities. Serves as the reviewing authority for national law enforcement TFRs (14 CFR 91.137(a)(1)), coordinating final approval with designated officials and ensuring timely issuance. Transmits electronic alerts for highly sensitive TFR/NOTAM activity to AJR-2 leadership to maintain strategic situational awareness. Maintains and updates Jeppesen Flite Star graphics and data to ensure accurate visualization of all active TFRs across the United States. Monitors national airspace activity for indicators of emerging threats, anomalies, or unauthorized operations requiring escalation. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of Special Flight Rules Areas (SFRAs), Flight Restricted Zones (FRZs), National Security Areas, Prohibited Areas, and Restricted Use Airspace to determine permissible operations and waiver requirements. Reviews, analyzes, and authorizes prohibited and restricted airspace access requests submitted through the Airspace Access Program (AAP). Receives, evaluates, and approves Special Interest Flight (SIF) routing requests for entry, departure, or overflight of U.S. territorial airspace, ensuring compliance with national security protocols. Identifies and escalates suspicious or unusual SIF activity to AJR-24 management and provides operational guidance to DEN Air Traffic Security Coordinators (ATSCs) during non-standard events. Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for completing work objectives but allow considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. Draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems. The work is typically reviewed 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. Plans own use of time and resources to accomplish objectives. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities within established schedules.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I FG/GS-13 level. This experience 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 successfully perform the duties of the position. 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 at the next lower level, FV-I: -Experience with air traffic control procedures, airspace classifications, and aviation security protocols to support real-time operational decisions affecting the safe and efficient flow of domestic, military, or international air traffic. -Experience interpreting, developing, or implementing airspace security procedures to support security measures, executive travel, or special events. 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; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration. You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered. 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.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.