As an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS), you are responsible for the safe and expeditious movement of air traffic throughout our nation's airspace.
Successful candidates must be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment. To qualify, you must meet ONE of the following FIVE minimum qualifications for this position: Additional Pool eligibilities are required based on specific Pool election. Please read this section carefully and contact Aviation Careers (aviation.careers@faa.gov) with any questions prior to the vacancy close date. APPLICANT POOLS: POOL 1 - ELIGIBILITY: Applicants MUST meet one of the following criteria (1, 2, OR 3) listed below, and MUST provide supporting documentation, in the 'Required Documents' Section of this announcement in order to be eligible for consideration in Pool 1. 1. A graduate from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program, and who has received an official endorsement letter from the institution. 2. A Veteran eligible for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) pursuant to Section 4214 of Title 38. To determine if you meet VRA eligibility additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/veteran-job-seekers/vets/. 3. An eligible Veteran maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of their military experience and/or entitled to Veterans' Preference (must meet eligibility requirements in section 2108 of Title 5, United States Code). POOL 2 - ELIGIBILITY: Pool 2 applicants are all other U.S. Citizens who do not meet the requirements for Pool 1, OR Pool 1 eligibles who elect to be considered for Pool 2. If eligible for Pool 1, applicants may elect consideration for Pool 2; but not both. Pool 2 applicants may not apply for Pool 1 unless they meet the eligibility requirements outlined for Pool 1. AGE REQUIREMENTS: If experience was gained as a civilian ATCS with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Department of Defense (DOD), you must have been hired prior to age 31 and provide supporting documentation (copies of SF-50 personnel actions).A maximum age of 30 years is established for initial entry into air traffic control positions (2152 series) covered by Public Law 92-297. Persons who have reached their 31st birthday on the vacancy close date may not be appointed to these positions. THERE ARE 5 WAYS TO QUALIFY 1. One-year general experience. Applicants must self-certify on the applicant questionnaire that they have at least one year of general experience. This may be one year of full-time work experience (2080 hours; may include a combination of paid/unpaid jobs and volunteer work). 2. Education. Applicants must self-certify through the application questionnaire a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. An associate degree alone does not meet the minimum requirement, see how to qualify based on combination or education and work experience bullet below. Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) candidates under Pool 1: To be eligible for Pool 1 You must provide a transcript, (official or unofficial) that reflects the confer date and provide the Official CTI Endorsement Letter at time of application. *Please note, an Official Endorsement Letter is not a personal recommendation. 3. Combination of education and work experience. Applicants must self-certify through the application questionnaire that they have education and work experience that equates to one year. At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a bachelor's degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. Example: Candidates with an associate degree must also have some work experience to meet this combination requirement. 4. Specialized experience as an Air Traffic Control Specialist: applicants qualifying based on specialized experience must provide supporting documentation that verifies this requirement has been met (e.g., FAA certificate, military certificate or training record). 5. Alternative requirements: applicants must provide supporting documentation that verifies at least one of the following alternative requirements are met: a. Hold or have held an appropriate facility rating and have actively controlled air traffic in civilian or military air traffic control terminals or centers b. Hold or have held an FAA certificate as a dispatcher for an air carrier c. Hold or have held an instrument flight rating d. Hold or have held an FAA certificate as a navigator or have been fully qualified as a Navigator/Bombardier in the Armed Forces e. Have 350 hours of flight time as a copilot or higher and hold or have held a private certificate or equivalent Armed Forces rating f. Have served as a rated Aerospace Defense Command Intercept Director Minimum qualifications required for all positions; additional eligibilities required based on Pool election. If you elect Pool 1, and it is determined that you do not meet Pool 1 eligibility, you will automatically be considered under Pool 2 eligibility requirements.
“Being an air traffic controller is one of the best, most rewarding jobs in America, and that the next generation at the Academy is the best in the world. I witnessed firsthand the dedication, skill, and rigor that our future air traffic controllers bring to their training and the urgent need to do all that we can to recruit more people to join in our shared mission of safety in our skies", said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “This staffing shortage has been a known challenge for over a decade, and this administration is committed to solving it. The new streamlined hiring process is just the first step to deliver on President Trump’s agenda to prioritize the American people’s safety and modernize the federal government.”. Duty location for these positions is N90/NEW YORK TRACON LOCATED IN WESTBURY, NY. You must reside within the area of consideration (AOC) defined as within a 50 mile radius of Westbury, NY. Developmental controllers receive rigorous training in controlling and separating live air traffic within designated airspace at and around an airport traffic Control Tower, a Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (TRACON) or an Air Route Traffic Control Facility (ARTCC). Good news – no prior air traffic experience is required. If you apply and are selected, all of the employment conditions associated with this FG-3 position will apply, even if you have specialized experience that would have otherwise qualified you for a higher grade under an experienced vacancy announcement. While attending academy training you will be on a temporary appointment subject to successful Academy completion. As an Academy student, you’ll receive basic and initial qualification air traffic control training at the FAA Academy, including familiarization with aircraft types, America’s air traffic control system and the aviation industry, as well as classroom instruction and workshop exercises that will help you learn the air traffic control system. Along with facility placement, successful Academy graduates are offered a permanent appointment with a salary ranging from $46,560 - $175,785 depending on your location (applicants with prior ATCS experience will have their salary set in accordance with the ATCS Collective Bargaining Agreement upon conversion). It is important to note that annual salary varies greatly by facility and complexity level. Generally, most controllers are making a six-figure salary within three years. The time to reach Certified Professional Controller (CPC) or full certification and pay is approximately 2-3 years depending on the facility size, level, and complexity. Currently, the average for Certified Professional Controllers at N90 - New York TRACON is $210,000 per year. Failure to certify to CPC level will result in separation, demotion or reassignment. You'll receive pay increases as you successfully complete each progressive phase of ATCS training at your assigned facility. Individuals who do not successfully complete training at the FAA Academy and all other necessary requirements will have their employment terminated. Prior failure of FAA Academy training or prior declination of a permanent facility placement offer after completing Academy training may constitute a basis for non-selection and/or Veterans' Preference pass over.