AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST(TERMINAL) (TITLE 5)

General Experience: All series personnel must be certified at the next higher level before being eligible for that level and must have a minimum of one year on-the-job experience in the grade immediately below the next higher level. Must have the education and validated understanding of the basic principles and concepts of the occupational series and grade. Experiences, education, or training that demonstrated the ability to follow directions and to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures and that otherwise demonstrates the ability to perform or learn to perform the duties of the position.

Must possess a valid Air Traffic Safety Oversight (AOV) Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) Credential, ATCS Certificate and/or Control Tower (CTO) Certificate.

Specialized Experience: Must have at least 12 months experience equivalent to at least GS-9 or GS-10, respectively. Must be a graduate of a formal DoD/DOT basic air traffic control course and be able to obtain and maintain a facility-rating in up to two ATC facilities (Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) w/Radar Final Control (RFC)/Control Tower). A GS-10 is the first level of independent performance of all control functions in non-approach and non-radar approach control terminals. Under general supervision, the GS-10 or GS-11 terminal controller performs regular duties in terminal operations, issuing control instructions to aircraft operating under visual or instrument flight rules or combinations of both. Have some experiences in a military or civilian as an Air Traffic Controller in a single ATC facility-rated control tower/RAPCON air traffic control facility. Initiated and issued air traffic control clearances, instructions and advisories to ensure safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic under instrument and visual flight rules. Experienced in conducting ATC facility training. Experienced in briefing shift personnel on runway utilization, airfield conditions and weather/ground activities. Performed some shift supervision duties in a fixed control tower or, radar facility. Maintained current DoD and DOT/FAA publications, ATC facility logs, forms, records and situation maps; Issuing control instructions and advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to assure proper separation of aircraft and to expedite their safe and efficient movement. This specialization also requires:

• Ability to act decisively under stressful situations and to maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure;
• Skill to coordinate plans and actions with pilots and other controllers; and
• Judgment to select and take the safest and most effective course of action from among several available choices.

Experience, education, and training demonstrate the applicant's competencies to perform the Air Traffic Controller duties and responsibilities. Dependent on career levels, applicant must have experiences, certifications, and capabilities in the following:

• Collecting and analyzing data quickly and accurately;

• The ability to clearly enunciate English without impediment of speech that would interfere or prohibit effective two-way radio communication; and must have the ability to write English in reports and presentation formats;

• Applying procedures and directives by reading and interpreting technical material. Interpersonal communications;

• Air Traffic Control (ATC) Specialists must be capable of obtaining and maintaining, within upgrade training time thresholds, all position certifications and/or facility-ratings required to perform ATC duties in a specific air traffic control facility;

• Only those personnel who possess a valid Air Traffic Control Specialist Certificate (FAA Form 7220-1)/Control Tower Operator (CTO) or Appropriate Federal Credentialing certification are authorized to perform air traffic control duties in ANG/ARNG facilities;

• In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 14, Part 65, Subpart B, Air Traffic Control Tower Operators, control tower personnel must possess a valid Control Tower Operator (CTO) certificate. This applies to any issuance of air traffic control instructions to airborne aircraft and aircraft on the ground, unless under direct supervision by a qualified air traffic controller. These certificates demonstrate knowledge and skill in meteorology, basic air navigation, standard ATC communications procedures, types and use of navigational aids (NAVAIDS), and directives, regulations, and instructions that regulate air traffic control;

• Position certifications/facility-ratings require practical and academic knowledge of the local air traffic control system and operating intra/inter facility coordination. It also includes communication systems, ATC radios, Local Area Knowledge (LAK) and specific procedures associated with the facility; and GS-11 and higher Air Traffic Control Specialist is a graduate of a formal DoD/DOT basic air traffic control course and will obtain and maintain facility-ratings in dual ATC facilities (RFC/GCA/Radar Approach Control (RAPCON)/Control Tower). This level includes a variety of assignments and work situations in the terminals. A GS-11 is typically the first full performance level of control work in radar approach control terminals. Also included at this level are full performance level control positions in non-approach control and non-radar approach control terminals where the performance requirements are substantially higher than at the GS-10 level.

• Experience, education, and training demonstrate the applicant's competencies to perform the Air Traffic Controller duties and responsibilities. Dependent on career levels, applicant must have experiences, certifications, and capabilities in the following:

• MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:Must have normal color vision; and must qualify physically in compliance with Department of Defense (DoD)/Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical standards.

• Education: High school or general equivalent degree is mandatory. An undergraduate academic specialization in a technical discipline with courses in administration and management is desirable. Must be a graduate of a formal DoD/Department of Transportation (DOT) Basic Air Traffic Control course.