Air Traffic Assistant (Flight Data Communications Specialist)

Duties

Performs a combination of routine and multiple and varying tasks/assignments under the general direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced employee. Acts as an individual contributor and/or member of a team to assist other employees in day-to-day operations. Applies experience and detailed knowledge to plan and accomplish routine tasks/assignments. Assignments include the following:

Provides flight data processing and communications service for the air traffic control system, and operates and maintains a variety of air traffic operational computer systems. Processes and monitors the input of proposed and active flight plans from military base operations, ARTCC sectors, terminal facilities, adjacent ARTCC's, flight service stations, and air carrier operations offices.

Recognizes incorrect flight plan entries into the National Airspace System (NAS) and enters corrections as required. Develops and maintains bulk storage flight plans. Receives and analyzes significant meteorological information (SIGMETS), airmen's meteorological information (AIRMETS), weather advisories, etc. and makes immediate notification to the Watch Stander-In-Charge and other operation personnel.

Checks and updates altimeter readings and updates winds aloft. Operates, monitors, and safeguards the DHS Automatic Digital Network (AUTODIN) system. Makes entries into the operations network (OPSNET) concerning computer utilization, delays and traffic counts for designated facilities.

Collects and distributes flight plans, traffic management restrictions, notices to airmen (NOTAMS) and a variety of other data related to flight safety. Prepares and transmits NOTAMS, information requests (INREQS), alert notices (ALNOTS), AIRMETS, Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPS), Center Weather Advisories (CWAs), defense communication messages, traffic management and administrative messages. Trains developmental specialists in the performance of flight data and data communications system functional responsibilities.

Contacts are primarily internal but may also be external depending on the specialized area supported. Internal contacts often involve more than one organizational unit in a major subdivision and are with managers and other employees to share information and to discuss the statuses of tasks/assignments.

Established policies/procedures provide guidance for almost all tasks/assignments, but allow some discretion for employee to select the most appropriate approach(es). Frequently refers problems and work issues to a manager or more experienced employee when guidelines are not available or applicable.

Work is reviewed frequently during major stages of tasks/assignments and at completion to ensure timeliness and alignment with the requirements of projects and/or work activities. Work activities typically support one or more projects/programs and affect the objectives of the organizational unit and the major subdivision.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
• Selection and placement are contingent upon waiver or completion of satisfactory security/medical requirement.
• All or none of the candidates may be interviewed.
  
  
  

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (FV-E or FG/GS-5/6). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is described as knowledge of and skill in the use of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control procedures. Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in work such as:

• Civilian or military aircraft operations work, such as Airport Apron Controller, FAA Licensed pilot, Remote Pilot Operator, flight instructor, flight engineer or air transport pilot;
• FAA Certified Dispatcher for an air carrier;
• Flight Information Expediter involved in determining flight times of airplanes and transmitting information to flight operations and command centers;
• Civilian or Military Air Traffic Controller; and;
• Flight Data Processor;
  
  
  

OR

• Successful completion of an FAA or Military Air Traffic Control Training Program;
  
  
  

OR

• Possession of an FAA Control Tower Operator Certificate.
  
  
  

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

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 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.

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.

As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA in your work history. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the KSA's listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Interview: If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.

This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by NAGE R3-10: Air Trfc Assts, FLT Data Com.

Links to Important Information:

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
  
  
  

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.