Air Traffic Control Specialist

About the role

Responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic control duties in a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Air Traffic Control Tower. Works under the general supervision of the Tower Manager, performing established duties independently and receiving detailed instructions on new or revised procedures. Full‑time, in‑person position.

Responsibilities

• Determine the order of departures to ensure equitable treatment and that departing IFR flights operate at the fix, altitude, and time designated by center or approach control clearances.
• Set times and direction of takeoff and any necessary turns for departure.
• Decide whether inbound aircraft land immediately or circle, and adjust distances to control arrival at a given point.
• Select the active runway and possible simultaneous use of other runways.
• Intermix arrivals and departures with the least delay to traffic.
• Clear landing and departing aircraft to use runways to assure standard separation.
• Sequence arriving traffic before it enters the traffic pattern to assure a safe, orderly flow on final approach.
• Apply IFR separation standards as delegated by approach control or center in limited areas around the airport.
• Sequence VFR and IFR traffic, using radar equipment as an aid and, when delegated, separating IFR traffic.
• Authorize VFR flights through the airport traffic area when appropriate.
• Determine usability of communications frequencies and other navigational aids; monitor navigational aids and control panels (including BRITE display) for acceptability.
• Instruct pilots to change radio frequencies/radar beacon codes.
• Coordinate with other controllers on movements of arrival and departure aircraft.
• When traffic conditions warrant, preplan traffic sequencing and separation over an area up to 5‑mile radius, set up check points, maintain a continuous mental picture of traffic, maintain continuous radio watch with previously contacted aircraft, and accept responsibility for handling IFR traffic at the airport.
• Study weather bureau reports and forecasts, obtain LAWRS/SAWRS weather certification, observe weather from the tower, record pilot reports, and furnish aircraft with field conditions, altimeter settings, weather conditions, operating status of navigational aids, and observed aircraft malfunctions; forward information to weather bureau and appropriate center, and submit pilot weather reports and personal observations.
• Operate light guns, runway lights, field lighting, jet barriers, etc.
• Orient pilots of aircraft lost or in difficulty; determine whether a situation requires notification of operations offices, airport management, and fire and ambulance services.
• Perform lower‑grade duties as needed for operational requirements and proficiency maintenance.
• Provide on‑the‑job training (OJT) to others.

Requirements

• Hold a Control Tower Operator (CTO) Certificate.
• Possess a current Class II Medical Certificate.
• Have held a CTO with a facility rating or an FAA Credential with a tower rating for a minimum of six months in an Air Traffic Control Tower.
• Subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per DOT/FAA requirements (pre‑employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post‑accident).

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Pay

$39.96 per hour