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Air Traffic Control Trainee
This is a developmental Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) position responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of air traffic through the nation's airspace. Developmental controllers receive a wide range of training in controlling and separating live air traffic within designated airspace at and around an airport traffic Control Tower or Radar Approach control facility, or En Route traffic control center.
Learn more about this agency10/11/2024 to 11/04/2024
$35,947 - $37,145 per year
This salary includes locality pay, which will be applicable while attending the FAA ATC Academy.
FG 3
Many vacancies in the following location:
No
Not required - The job does not require any travel.
No
Temporary - Temporary NTE - 13 months
Full-time
Excepted
NA
No
Yes
Yes - The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. See https://www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements.
FAA-ATO-24-ALLSRCE-92381
810055200
As a new ATCS, you will spend your first several weeks of employment in an intensive paid training program at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK. ATCS trainees will receive an hourly wage plus full benefits. The FAA also provides food, housing, and travel allowances to help offset daily cost of living while attending the FAA Academy in accordance with applicable agency policies.
While attending academy training you will be on a temporary appointment. Academy students receive basic and initial qualification air traffic control training at the FAA Academy, which includes:
Complete occupational indoctrination including highlights of Federal employment, familiarization with organizational structure & functions, aircraft, air traffic control system, & aviation industry, classroom instruction & workshop exercises relating to the air traffic control system.
Individuals who do not successfully complete training at the FAA Academy and all other necessary requirements will have their employment terminated.
Prior failure of FAA Academy training or prior declination of permanent facility placement offer after completing Academy training may constitute a basis for non-selection and/or Veterans' Preference pass over.
Prior experience or training in air traffic control is not required. If a candidate applies for and is selected under this temporary trainee announcement, all of the employment conditions associated with this FG-3 position will apply, regardless of whether the candidate possesses the specialized experience that would have otherwise qualified them under an experienced vacancy announcement.
If selected and hired, upon successful completion of Academy training, newly hired ATCS will be offered a permanent appointment at an FAA facility with a minimum basic salary of $45,782 plus applicable locality pay based on duty location. Applicants with prior ATCS experience will have their salary set in accordance with the ATCS Collective Bargaining Agreement, upon conversion.
Newly hired ATCS will receive pay increases as they successfully complete the progressive phases of ATCS training at their assigned facility. It is important to note that annual salary varies greatly by facility and complexity level. ATCSs receive significant pay raises as they progress through ATCS training. On average, the salary will increase to $60,000 per year, and additional pay increases will be granted as you certify and progress at your assigned facility. Generally, most controllers are making a six-figure salary within three years. The time to reach Certified Professional Controller (CPC) or full certification and pay is approximately 2-3 years depending on the facility size, level, and complexity. Last year, the average for Certified Professional Controllers was $158,000 per year.
The FAA has Air Traffic Control Facilities in every state as well as Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. This announcement is open to applicants willing to work at any FAA Air Traffic Control Facility. Facility placements will be finalized the day following successful completion of Academy training. Declining to select a facility from the list of available facilities will result in termination of employment, as placement will be based upon the needs of the FAA.
All candidates must meet ONE of the following FIVE minimum qualifications for the position, as outlined below. Additional Pool eligibilities are required based on specific Pool election. Please read this section carefully and contact Aviation Careers with any questions prior to the vacancy closing date.
1. TO QUALIFY BASED ON WORK EXPERIENCE: applicants must document 1 year of full time (40 hours per week) work experience; part time will be pro-rated based on a 40-hour work week.
2. TO QUALIFY BASED UPON EDUCATION: applicants must document a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. An associate degree alone does not meet the minimum requirement, see #3 below. Schools must be accredited as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and copies of the transcript official/unofficial which includes the name of the institution, semester or quarter hours earned and/or confer date at time of application.
CTI: To be eligible for Pool 1 your transcript must reflect the confer date and you must also provide the Official CTI Endorsement Letter at time of application. 2024 FALL SEMESTER GRADUATES - you must provide current transcripts (official or unofficial) and will be required to provide final transcripts reflecting degree earned and confer date prior to any offer of employment, if selected. Additionally, CTI - 2024 Fall Semester graduates will be required to provide the official endorsement letter with official transcripts, if selected. *Please note, an Official Endorsement Letter is not a personal recommendation.
3. TO QUALIFY BASED UPON THE COMBINATION OF BOTH WORK EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: The applicant's total qualifying experience time is converted to a percentage, then the education time is converted to a percentage. The combined percentages must equal 100%. At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a bachelor's degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. Example: Candidates with an associate degree must also have some work experience to meet this combination requirement. Transcripts are required at application submission for verification purposes with exceptions for 2024 Fall Semester graduates.
4. TO QUALIFY BASED ON SPECIALIZED WORK EXPERIENCE AS AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST: applicants qualifying based on specialized experience must provide supporting documentation that verifies this requirement has been met (e.g., FAA certificate, military certificate or training record).
5. TO QUALIFY BASED ON ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS: applicants must provide supporting documentation that verifies at least one of the following alternative requirements are met:
Successful candidates must be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment.
Minimum qualifications required for all positions; additional eligibilities required based on Pool election.
APPLICANT POOLS:
POOL 1 - ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants MUST meet one of the following criteria (1, 2, OR 3) listed below, and MUST provide supporting documentation in order to be eligible for consideration in Pool 1.
1. A graduate from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program, and who has received from the institution an appropriate recommendation (i.e., official endorsement letter). MUST SUBMIT: (1) official/unofficial transcripts showing degree confer date AND (2) the official endorsement letter from the school. All supporting documentation must be received prior to the closing date of this vacancy. * If you are a 2024 Fall Semester graduate, you must provide a current transcript and will be required to provide the official endorsement letter and final transcript reflecting degree earned with confer date prior to any offer of employment, if selected.
2. A Veteran eligible for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) pursuant to Section 4214 of Title 38 and can provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days from the announcement closing.
3. An eligible Veteran maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of their military experience and/or entitled to Veterans' Preference (must meet eligibility requirements in section 2108 of Title 5, United States Code) and can provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days from the announcement closing.
NOTE for 2 & 3: Applicable Veterans MUST SUBMIT a DD-214 with character of service in block 24, OR written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the closing date this announcement. Applicants who are not within 120 days of separation will be assessed as non-preference eligibles.
Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) eligible applicants:
POOL 2 - ELIGIBILITY:
Pool 2 applicants are all other U.S. Citizens who do not meet the requirements for Pool 1, OR Pool 1 eligibles who elect to be considered for Pool 2.
Pool 2 applicants may not apply for Pool 1 unless they meet the eligibility requirements outlined for Pool 1.
If eligible for Pool 1, may elect consideration for Pool 2; but not both.
Age Requirements: A maximum age of 30 years is established for initial entry into air traffic control positions (2152 series) covered by Public Law 92-297. Persons who have reached their 31st birthday may not be appointed to these positions. You must be under age 31 as of the vacancy closing date. If experience was gained as a civilian ATCS with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Department of Defense (DOD), you must have been hired prior to age 31 and provide supporting documentation (copies of SF-50 personnel actions).
Please see the Required Documents section for further information regarding supporting documentation requirements.
All applicants who are using education as a qualifier must submit a copy of the official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours earned and/or confer date prior to EOD.
Limited exceptions for 2024 Fall Semester graduates regardless of Pool election, as identified below:
Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.
This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.
This position is eligible but not in a bargaining unit.
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.
Please utilize this link for a helpful checklist: application-checklist (faa.gov) Applicants qualifying based on education, including Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) must submit a copy of the official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours earned and confer date prior to EOD. CTI applicants must also submit an official endorsement certifying the individual met the CTI requirements for an appropriate recommendation. *Please see the Education section for additional details. Applicants who have previous 2152 experience and are past the maximum entry age of 31, MUST provide a copy of a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that verifies original appointment to the civilian 2152 occupational series prior to reaching the maximum entry age of 31. This would be the initial Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50/new-hire action into the 2152 series) received from your servicing Federal Human Resources office. If you do not have a copy of your initial Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50/new-hire action into the 2152 series), you can request it through the National Personnel Records Center at the following link: https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/opf
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applications will be accepted online until 11:59PM Eastern Time on the closing date of the job opportunity announcement (JOA). For helpful tips on how to apply, click on the links below: Air Traffic Control Hiring: What Goes in my Resume? https://youtu.be/5bmnsIRPDPk Applying to be an ATCS - Helpful Tips https://youtu.be/Rzgv33Ah-qc
For helpful tips on the next steps in the application process for this vacancy announcement, please click this link: Air Traffic Control Hiring: I Applied, What's Next? https://youtu.be/pB8Y0k27fOo
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/810055200. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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