Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, Individuals w/Disabilities, 30% or More, VRA

This public notice is for candidates who have maintained at least 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic after receipt of an air traffic certification or facility rating within 5 years of application while serving at:

• a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control facility; OR
• a civilian or military air traffic control facility of the Department of Defense and any National Guard Facility; OR
• a tower operating under contract with the FAA under section 47124

APPLICANTS MUST ALSO BE WILLING TO WORK AT ANY FAA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITY.

The FAA has Air Traffic Control Facilities in every state as well as Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Guam. Air Traffic Control Specialists in the Terminal option control air traffic at airports and give pilots taxiing and takeoff instructions, air traffic clearances, and advice based on their own observations and information from the National Weather Service, Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), flight service stations, pilots, and other sources. They transfer control of aircraft to the ARTCC controller when the aircraft leaves assigned airspace, and they receive control of aircraft coming into assigned airspace.

Air Traffic Control Specialists in the En Route (Center) option give aircraft instructions, air traffic clearances, and advice regarding flight conditions while en route between airports. They provide separation between aircraft flying within the Federal airways or operating into or out of airports.

This is an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) position responsible for the safe, orderly and expeditious movement of air traffic through the nation's airspace. Additional information regarding these positions is located at: http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtraffic_controllers/

• Applicant geographic area preferences may be used in determining facility placement offers for candidates selected. Ultimately, the type and location of positions offered to each selectee will be based upon the needs of the FAA. If you are selected for a position, you will be informed of the facility location you are being offered. Selectees will be offered a permanent appointment in the ATCS occupation at an FAA facility based on their qualifications and the needs of the agency. Appointees will have their salary set in accordance with the ATCS Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Positions offered may be:
  • AT-2152 AG - this is the position level for selectees who are NOT former FAA 2152 Certified Professional Controllers (CPC); salary $40,649, plus applicable locality pay based on facility assignment
  • AT-2152 - xD/xF/xG - these are position levels for former FAA developmental controllers rehired within 1 year of separation; salary $48,854 to $113,804 plus applicable locality pay based on facility assignment
  • AT-2152 - DH/EH/FH/GH/HH/IH/JH/KH/LH - these are position levels for former FAA CPCs; salary $52,918 to $153,636 plus applicable locality pay based on facility assignment
• Appointees will enter the appropriate phase of field training as determined by the assigned facility to prepare for full certification to the CPC level. They must learn the skills needed for operation at higher levels of responsibility.
• Failure to meet training requirements for or accept promotion to higher grade ATCS positions may constitute grounds for reassignment, demotion or separation from employment
• You will receive on-the-job training and pay increases, as appropriate, upon successful completion of the progressive phases of controller training at your assigned facility. Part of the on-the-job training may require that you complete certain specific training courses at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK

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.
• Pre-employment Physical is required.
• 52 WEEKS OF FULL-TIME CONSECUTIVE, CERTIFIED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
• CONSECUTIVE, POST CERTIFIED EXPERIENCE MUST BE WITHIN THE LAST 5 YEARS
• COPIES OF CERTIFICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT TIME OF APPLICATION
• Age requirements; see "Qualifications Required" & "Required Doc." sections.
• Requirement for nonstandard duty hours or work week.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: ALL APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A MINIMUM OF AT LEAST 52 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL EXPERIENCE INVOLVING THE FULL-TIME ACTIVE SEPARATION OF AIR TRAFFIC, AFTER RECEIPT OF AN ATC CERTIFICATION OR FACILITY RATING WITHIN 5 YEARS OF APPLICATION WHILE SERVING AT:

• a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control facility; OR
• a civilian or military air traffic control facility of the Department of Defense and any National Guard Facility; OR
• a tower operating under contract with the FAA under section 47124

This experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the level of work. This experience must have provided a comprehensive knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations and procedures governing the movement of air traffic; knowledge of aircraft separation standards and control techniques; and the ability to apply them properly, often under conditions of great stress.

• Applicants MUST submit copies of certifications prior to the closing date of the announcement. (The 52 weeks of consecutive, certified experience cannot include any FAA Academy or military training time prior to certification, as this is not considered "live" air traffic) and must have been within 5 years of application.
• Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their Work History. Work history and supporting certificate(s) MUST support the applicant performing as an ATCS for a minimum of 52 consecutive weeks following the issue date of the certification.
• Applicants MUST document hours per week within their work history/resume (full time experience is credited as 40 hours per week, part time hours will be pro-rated based on 40 hrs per week).
• There is no educational substitute for the required 52 weeks of specialized experience.
• Age Requirements: Notwithstanding section 3307 of title 5, the maximum limit of age for an original appointment to a position as an air traffic controller shall be 35 years of age for those maintaining 52 weeks of air traffic control experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic after receipt of an air traffic certification or air traffic control facility rating in a civilian or military air traffic control facility. Maximum Retention Age: 5 U.S.C. 8335 (a) and 5 U.S.C. 8425 (a) require mandatory separation at age 56 in a career controller position.
• Applicants, who are maintaining 52 consecutive weeks of ATC experience, after receipt of an air traffic certification or ATC facility rating, must be age 35 or below, on or before the closing date of the vacancy. Applicants previously appointed by the FAA or DOD as a civilian 2152, must also include 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 35. This would be the first Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50/new-hire action into the 2152 series) received. You must provide a copy of this SF-50 prior to the close date of this vacancy. If you were previously a Certified Professional Controller (CPC) or full performance rated (FPL) Controller, please also include an SF-50 that indicates this level of certification.
• Service Computation Dates (SCDs) cannot be used for maximum entry age verification purposes, as this could include prior military service and/or current or previous federal civilian service in another occupational series.
• Applicants who are prior Academy and/or field training failures may not be considered.

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

How you will be evaluated

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.

Certified air traffic control experience required; copies of certifications MUST be submitted at time of application. Please include copies of both the front and back of certifications, if applicable. Ex: Pink card with designated facility or position ratings on the back of card, CTO card with designated facility on the back of card etc). Military training records may also be utilized if it documents the type of facility or position rating earned and the date it was received. These certifications/training records must match up with experience documented in your resume/work history in order to verify the required 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic after receipt of an ATC certification or facility rating within 5 years of application. Applicants, who are maintaining 52 consecutive weeks of ATC experience, after receipt of an air traffic certification or ATC facility rating, must be age 35 or below, on or before the closing date of the vacancy. SF-50, Personnel Action documentation required prior to announcement closing for validation, see 'Qualifications Required' section for details.

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