Air Traffic Assistant (Flight Data Communications Specialist)

DutiesSummary

Due to the Pandemic, and individual states with different phases of reopening, the selectee’s report date to the official duty station/facility may be delayed until such time as employees are allowed to report to the workplace. The person selected may telework up to the maximum extent possible, up to and including full time, until it is safe to relocate.


Responsibilities

The incumbent serves as an Air Traffic Assistant (Flight Data Communications Specialist) at an level 11 Air Traffic Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) facility. The incumbent 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 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), 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.

Travel Required

25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

NA

• Job family (Series)

  2154 Air Traffic Assistance

• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents)
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  Qualifications

  To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year 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 work involving:

  • Civilian or military aircraft operations work, such as flight instructor, instrument rated pilot, 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.
  Education
  Preview Job Questionnaire

  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.
  
  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, in your work history, please include information in your work history that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. 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 based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.

  All or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

  Requirement for Security Clearance: Selection and placement are contingent upon waiver or completion of satisfactory security requirement.

  
  This is a bargaining unit position.
  
  Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA
  
  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.
  

  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Secret

  Drug test required

  Yes

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  Most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF 50).
  
  Applicants claiming eligibility for the Expanded Veterans Hiring Opportunity (EVHO), MUST submit a DD Form 214 reflecting character of service to verify eligibility by the closing date of the announcement as requested by the Human Resource Office. Eligibility for EVHO will be considered based on applicable documentation submitted by the closing date.
  
  If you are a current or former Federal employee (including a current FAA employee), you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.
  
  If you are a current Federal employee and need a current copy of your SF-50, please contact your personnel office. If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/. If you are a former Federal employee, you can obtain a copy of your SF-50 by writing the National Personnel Records Center Annex, 1411 Boulder Boulevard, Valmeyer, IL 62295. Additional information is available from this link: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/civilian-personnel/.
  
  Expanded Veterans Hiring Opportunity (EVHO) are those veterans who are honorably discharged from the Armed Forces after completing at least three (3) years of continuous active service. Applicants claiming eligibility for EVHO, MUST submit a DD Form 214 reflecting character of service to verify eligibility by the closing date of the announcement as requested by the Human Resource Office. Eligibility for EVHO will be considered based on applicable documentation submitted by the closing date.
  

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  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.

• Benefits

  Benefits

  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. Learn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  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.

• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

  Current excepted service federal employees.

• Veterans

Also open to former excepted service federal employees eligible under an interchange agreement. Current or former federal employees must have met a one year probationary period or trial period in the competitive or excepted service. Applications will be accepted from preference eligibles and veterans who are honorably discharged from the Armed Forces after completing at least 3 years of continuous active duty service.