Air Traffic Control Specialist

Summary

Leads the Air Traffic Organization’s operations-centric efforts in the national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, disaster response, and other significant incident management arenas. During a national-scale security event, the SOSC is on immediate recall in order to provide support to national defense and homeland security. SOSC is staffed 24/7/365 and is on-call after hours in support of System Operations Security under the direction of the Tactical Operations Manager, AJR-24.

Duties

• This Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) serves as the Air Traffic Security Specialist (ATSS) within the System Operations Support Center (SOSC), exercising independent operational authority in support of the National Airspace System (NAS), the Domestic Events Network (DEN), and the Joint Air Traffic Crisis Action Team (JACAT).
• Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures, national defense protocols, and aviation security operations to ensure the NAS maintains a safe, orderly, and efficient flow of domestic, military, and international air traffic.
• Provides real-time operational support and decision-making during emerging security events, airspace anomalies, and national defense-related activities impacting NAS operations.
• Receives, validates, writes, and publishes United States Secret Service (USSS) requests for Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and associated NOTAMs supporting all movements for the President of the United States (POTUS), Vice President of the United States (VPOTUS), and First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) travel.
• Coordinates with the White House Military Office (WHMO)to receive, prepare, and transmit highly sensitive executive travel itineraries, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and secure dissemination to operational stakeholders.
• Ensures all executive movement TFRs meet regulatory, security, and operational requirements and are integrated seamlessly into NAS operations.
• Participates in the development, review, and publication of national security event TFRs (14 CFR 99.7), ensuring compliance with federal security directives and operational feasibility.
• Conducts quality control reviews of all TFRs issued nationwide, identifying errors, inconsistencies, or operational risks, and coordinating corrections with originating authorities.
• Serves as the reviewing authority for national law enforcement TFRs (14 CFR 91.137(a)(1)), coordinating final approval with designated officials and ensuring timely issuance.
• Transmits electronic alerts for highly sensitive TFR/NOTAM activity to AJR-2 leadership to maintain strategic situational awareness.
• Maintains, updates graphics, and data to ensure accurate visualization of all active TFRs across the United States.
• Monitors national airspace activity for indicators of emerging threats, anomalies, or unauthorized operations requiring escalation.
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of Special Flight Rules Areas (SFRAs), Flight Restricted Zones (FRZs), National Security Areas, Prohibited Areas, and Restricted Use Airspace to determine permissible operations and waiver requirements.
• Reviews, analyzes, and authorizes prohibited and restricted airspace access requests submitted through the Airspace Access Program (AAP).
• Receives, evaluates, and approves Special Interest Flight (SIF) routing requests for entry, departure, or overflight of U.S. territorial airspace, ensuring compliance with national security protocols.
• Identifies and escalates suspicious or unusual SIF activity to AJR-24 management and provides operational guidance to DEN Air Traffic Security Coordinators (ATSCs) during non-standard events.
• Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for completing work objectives but allow considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches.
• Draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems.
• The work is typically reviewed through status reports and at completion.
• Work contributes directly to the accomplishment of air traffic and other FAA objectives and the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations.
• Plans own use of time and resources to accomplish objectives.
• Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities within established schedules.

Requirements

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience

Required Documents

Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:

• Prepare the documents below before applying.
• Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position: All applicants MUST submit the following: (1) resume with complete work history; and (2) a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) For guidance on how to create a Federal resume, visit http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/resume-guide.pdf Failure to submit all required documents by the closing date will result in a finding of ineligible.
• We are not responsible for incomplete, illegible or missing documents.
• Please DO NOT email your application documents.
• We cannot accept documents received via the email system.
• Documents sent via email will NOT receive consideration.
• If you are an 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 an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.