Air Traffic Assistant (Flight Data Communications Specialist)

Summary Incumbent serves as an Air Traffic Assistant/Flight Data Communications Specialist (FDCS) at an Air Traffic Terminal or Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and is responsible for providing flight data processing and communications service for the National Airspace System (NAS). Learn more about this agency Duties Performs a combination of routine, multiple, and varying specialized flight data assignments and provides support to complex air traffic control facilities under the general direction of a manager and/or team leader. Acts as an individual contributor in assigned area of expertise on broad work activities and/or may be individually responsible for projects. Applies experience and detailed knowledge of air traffic control, flight data procedures and operations. Contributes directly to the success of regional or national programs of the integrated National Airspace System (NAS), as well as research and development efforts.Relays instrument flight rules (IFR) departure clearances including clearance and control information, for satellite, uncontrolled airports and temporary military/civilian airports and special events operations. Relays cancellation of flight plans for satellite or uncontrolled airports to approach controls and ARTCCs. Supports large scale military exercises and military alert responsibilities by entering flight plans, notification procedures, and airspace configuration commands into the NAS. Responsible for the coordination and approval of airspace requests from military units. Tracks all requests and approvals. Disseminates data to the appropriate air traffic sectors within the ARTCC. Provides flight data processing and communications service for the NAS. Operates and maintains a variety of air traffic operational computer systems. Processes and monitors the input of proposed and active flight plans for ARTCC, terminal facilities, flight service stations, general aviation, and air carrier operations.At the request of Air Traffic Operation Manager in Charge (OMIC), assists with search and rescues efforts including pilot contact information, Information Requests (INREQs, and Alerts Notices (ALNOTs). Provides manual flight plan processing and coordination during Canadian Automated Air Traffic System (CAATS)/ERAM equipment failures. Recognizes incorrect flight plan entries into the NAS and enters corrections as required. Amends proposed flight plans when requested by the flight crew, dispatch operations, Leidos Flight Service, or other air traffic facilities. Monitors ERAM for duplicate flight plans and takes appropriate action.Responsible for ensuring the information in Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) is current. This includes updating the Blocked List by either adding or deleting aircraft from both the history or query lists. Monitors flights crossing international control boundaries and corrects information to allow processing of flight plan information to and from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) partners. Utilizes Traffic Situation Display (TSD)/Departure List Program to aid in processing departure information. Receives, acknowledges and/or transmits ICAO alert messages which include the following, Uncertainty phase (INCERFA), Alert phase (ALERFA) and Distress message (DISTRESFA). Assigns a Departure Transition Area (DTA) to a flight plan when advised by Air Traffic that the flight plan is missing a DTA, the aircraft does not have over water equipment, or the aircraft flied a flight plan from departure airport to destination airport.Responsible for filing Flight Restrictive Zones (FRZ) flight plans and Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) flight plans in and out of national defense airspace in the Washington D.C. area. Configures airspace for all appropriate air traffic facilities when they open and close, or when a situation arises that requires the airspace to be reconfigured. Serves as the focal point for weather dissemination which includes receiving and analyzing Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMETs), Air Mission Meteorological Information (AIRMETs), Center Weather Advisories (CWAs), Routine/Urgent Pilot Reports (PIREPs) and distributes the data to operations and NAS users.Performs other 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. 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 includes experience using NAS computer systems such as the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) system; Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO) system, and Digital Altimeter Setting Indicator (DASI) system or experience operating air traffic control operational computer and flight data equipment or experience amending proposed flight plans for flow control restrictions, Severe Weather Avoidance Plan (SWAP), and Exact Departure Clearance Time (EDCT) restrictions/changes, or experience in positions such as a military or civilian air traffic controller, flight instructor, instrument rated pilot, command center operators (base ops), dispatcher for an air carrier, or as Flight Services Specialist.Examples of qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in work involving:(1) Civilian or military aircraft operations work, such as flight instructor, instrument rated pilot, flight engineer, or air transport pilot;(2) FAA certified dispatcher for an air carrier;(3) Flight information expediter involved in determining flight times of airplanes and transmitting information to flight operations and command centers.;(4) Civilian or military air traffic controller;and(5) 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 the vacancy announcement.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 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.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. 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. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirementsThis 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.Successful completion of a security investigation will be required.If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. 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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.