Air Traffic Assistant (Flight Data Communications Specialist)

Summary

Serves as a Flight Data Communication Specialist (FDCS) in a Level 10 Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and is responsible for providing flight data processing and communications service for the National Airspace System (NAS).

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

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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.

Required Documents

• To be considered for this announcement, you must complete the on-line application using the AVIATOR system by the closing date of the announcement.
• Applicants must apply on-line to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement.
• Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted.
• Please follow all instructions carefully.
• Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
• Applicants may be asked to verify information on their application for employment with the FAA.
• If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your on-line application, e.g. transcripts, SF-50, or veterans’ documentation, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS.
• Supplemental documentation can also be faxed to (206) 231-4150 on or before the closing date of this announcement.
• Please include your name and the vacancy announcement number on each of your faxed pages and redact all Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as social security number and date of birth.
• 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: https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/opf.
• Expanded Veterans Hiring Opportunity (EVHO) are preference eligibles and 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.