Supervisory Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal).

About the Role

This is a supervisory Air Traffic Control (ATC) position serving as Facility Chief in either a Control Tower, Ground-Controlled Approach (GCA), or Airspace Information Center (AIC). The role involves overseeing personnel, managing operations, and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of aircraft.

Responsibilities

• Recommend selections for vacancies, awards, and other personnel actions.
• Plan, schedule, assign, direct, and review the work of subordinates.
• Establish contact with and control aircraft to touchdown at the airfield after coordinated release from approach control.
• Perform ground control and clearance delivery duties to ensure effective movement of aircraft on all areas of the airport.
• Receive, post, and relay flight data to local controllers and ground control/clearance delivery.
• Issue control clearances and instructions to maintain separation among local traffic density.
• Control air traffic by issuing exact and precise instructions within delegated and complex airspace.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• This position is covered by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program and requires passing urinalysis testing prior to appointment and periodically thereafter.
• Applicants not currently in a GS-2152 "covered" position must successfully complete a pre-employment flight physical.
• Subject to periodic (e.g., annual) medical examinations to determine fitness for continued performance of duties.
• Must possess and maintain an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) certification, Control Tower Operator's License (CTO), and/or Air Traffic Safety Oversight (AOV) certification.
• Must certify in the Control Tower and Airspace Information Center (AIC) within time limits specified in AR 95-2.
• Required to report for duty during inclement weather, natural disasters, and other emergency situations, potentially extending beyond the official shift.
• A one-year probationary period to assess supervisory duties is required unless previously completed.
• This position is supervisory as defined by the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Supervisory Guide (GSSG).
• Requires shift work, including evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet the following experience requirements:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service, including:
  • Issuing control instructions and advice to pilots to ensure proper separation of aircraft and expedite safe and efficient movement.
  • Ability to act decisively under stressful situations and maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure.
  • Coordinating plans and actions with pilots and other controllers.
  • Taking the safest and most effective course of action in emergency situations.
• Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).
• No substitution of education for experience is permitted for this position.

Special Retirement Provisions

This position is covered under special retirement provisions for Air Traffic Controllers as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2109(1)(A) and (1)(B). Key details include:

• Additional contributions to the retirement fund.
• Mandatory separation/retirement at age 56 with 20 years of approved special retirement service.
• Options for early retirement at any age after 25 years of approved special retirement service, or at age 50 with 20 years of approved special retirement service.
• Original appointment into a covered Air Traffic Controller position must occur no later than the last day of the month in which the individual turns 36, unless a waiver is approved (e.g., for preference-eligible veterans).
• Individuals past the maximum entry age (36) who previously served in an approved DoD Air Traffic Controller position may be reinstated if they can complete 20 years of covered service by age 56.
• Individuals who have reached the mandatory separation age (56) are not eligible for employment or reemployment as an Air Traffic Controller.

Benefits

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Eligibility for special retirement provisions (see above).
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to Joint Travel Regulations and agency determination.
• Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Student loan repayment may be authorized.
• Salary negotiations for candidates new to Federal service may be authorized.
• Credit for prior non-Federal work experience and certain military service for determining annual leave accrual rate may be authorized.