Alaska FSS ADP FY23 Announcement

Fairbanks, Juneau and Kenai, AK | Full-time

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Air Traffic Control Specialist - Trainee

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

FAA, Air Traffic Organization, Sys Ops, Flight Services, Alaska Flight Service Stations (FSS)

Overview

This announcement is open from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. Applications will be reviewed and qualified candidates will be contacted quarterly for next steps.

Pay scale & grade

AT AQ

Service

Excepted

Salary

$40,538 - $114,532 / Per Year

This salary includes 30.42% locality pay. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) authorized at 2.48% or 4.01%, based on facility assignment

Appointment type

Temporary NTE - 13 months (On temporary appointment until successful completion of Air Traffic Basics Training and the Alaska Flight Service Training Academy in Kenai)

Work schedule

Full Time

Locations

Juneau, Kenai, Fairbanks 

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Telework eligible

No


This job is open to

U.S. Citizens

Duties

Summary

Air Traffic Control Specialist Trainee for Flight Service Stations in Alaska. Alaska has the only Federal Flight Service Stations. There are numerous positions to be filled. The Flight Service Station Training Academy is located in Kenai, Alaska.

Responsibilities

  • This is a developmental Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) position responsible for providing preflight briefings and inflight assistance to pilots, requiring knowledge of the information needed to conduct safe flights. Developmental controllers receive a wide range of training in FSS processes as well as weather, communication, navigational and other equipment. As an ATCS, you will receive pay increases as you successfully complete the progressive phases (benchmarks) of controller training at your assigned facility.
  • This announcement is open to those applicants willing to work at any FAA FSS Air Traffic Control Facility in Alaska. Applicant geographic area preferences are for informational purposes only and may not be used in the selection process.
  • Prior experience or training in air traffic control is not required. If a candidate applies for and is selected under this temporary trainee announcement, all of the employment conditions associated with this AT-AQ position will apply.
  • Individuals who do not successfully complete training at the Alaska Flight Service Training Academy (AFSTA) and all other necessary requirements will have their employment terminated.
  • As a new ATCS, you will spend your first several months of employment in an intensive training program at the AFSTA located in Kenai, AK.  While attending academy training, you will be on a temporary appointment. Academy students receive basic air traffic control training at the AFSTA, which includes complete occupational indoctrination including highlights of Federal employment and familiarization with the FSS organizational structure and functions, and basic air traffic training in both a classroom and laboratory environment that simulates actual FSS job functions.basic air traffic training in both a classroom and laboratory environment.
  • Prior failure of FAA or FSS Academy training or prior declination of permanent facility placement offer after completing Academy training may constitute a basis for non-selection and/or veterans' preference pass over.
  • ATCS's will be paid long-term expense rate (per diem) while attending the AFSTA in Kenai, AK, to help offset daily cost of living expenses. If you are permanently assigned to the Kenai FSS, you will not receive per diem upon assignment to the FAA FSS Academy in Kenai.
  • Upon successful completion of the AFSTA initial training program & other employment requirements, newly hired ATCS's will be offered a permanent appointment at an FAA FSS facility with a salary of $54,783, which includes 30.42% locality pay. A cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be based on facility assignment and is subject to change. Applicants with prior ATC experience will have their salary set in accordance with the ATCS Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Travel Required

Occasional Travel - The job may require travel from time- to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

NA


Job family (Series)

2152 Air Traffic Controller

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.
  • Position sensitivity is Moderate Risk; may be required to complete a background investigation
  • All applicants must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (AT-SA) Exam
  • Minimum qualifications required for all positions, additional eligibilities required based on Pool election
  • If eligible for Pool 1, may elect consideration for Pool 2; but not both

  • Age Requirement: Applicant must not have reached their 56<sup>th</sup> birthday in order to be considered. 

Qualifications

ALL CANDIDATES MUST MEET ONE OF THE 5 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OUTLINED IN THIS SECTION. ADDITIONAL POOL ELIGIBILITIES ARE REQUIRED BASED ON SPECIFIC POOL ELECTION. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND CONTACT THE ALASKA HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE PRIOR TO ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSE DATE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

You may qualify in 1 of the following 5 ways:

  • TO QUALIFY BASED ON PROGRESSIVELY RESPONSIBLE WORK EXPERIENCE: applicants must document 3 years of full time (40 hours per week) progressively responsible experience. Most types of paid or unpaid employment will provide progressively responsible experience as the individual doing the work learns about the organization, gains knowledge about the work, and demonstrates responsibility. OR
  • TO QUALIFY BASED UPON EDUCATION: applicants must document a full 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If qualifying based on education, applicants must submit a copy of the transcript which includes the name of the institution, quarter or semester hours earned and/or confer date. (CTI to be eligible for Pool 1, the transcript must reflect the confer date and you must also provide appropriate CTI recommendation) OR
  • TO QUALIFY BASED UPON THE COMBINATION OF BOTH WORK EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: The applicant's total qualifying experience is converted to a percentage of the experience required then the applicant's education is converted to a percentage of the education required. The combined percentages must equal 100%. At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. For example, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school. OR
  • TO QUALIFY BASED ON SPECIALIZED WORK 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). OR
  • TO QUALIFY BASED ON ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS: applicants must provide supporting documentation that verifies at least one of the following alternative requirements being met: Do you 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. Do you hold or have held an FAA certificate as a dispatcher for an air carrier? c. Do you hold or have held an instrument flight rating? d. Do you hold or have held an FAA certificate as a navigator or have been fully qualified as a Navigator/Bombardier in the Armed Forces? e. Do you 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 you served as a rated Aerospace Defense Command Intercept Director?
  • Successful candidates must be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment.

Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) eligible applicants:

  • Disabled veterans; or
  • Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; or
  • Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; or
  • Recently separated veterans (defined as; within the last 3 years).

Veterans claiming eligibility on the basis of service in a campaign or expedition for which a medal was awarded must be in receipt of the campaign badge or medal.

In addition to meeting the criteria above, eligible veterans must have been separated under honorable conditions (i.e., the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge). Please also see the section 'All Veterans' at the bottom of this vacancy for further documentation requirements for Veterans.

  • Entrance on Duty Requirements (EOD): If you do not complete all of the pre-employment requirements within 60 days from the date of the Clearance Instruction Letter (CIL), you will be removed from the hiring process for this vacancy. If you are a current military member in active duty service, you must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, or written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the close date of the announcement.

Education

Applicants who are using education as a qualifier must submit a copy of the official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours and/or confer date.

Applicants qualifying based on Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) education must submit a copy of the official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours and/or confer date AND an appropriate recommendation letter or endorsement certifying the individual would have met the CTI requirements in effect as of December 31, 2013 for an appropriate recommendation. ***CTI applicants: To be eligible for Pool 1, your transcripts with confer date and appropriate recommendation letter must be submitted prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement, and the confer date must be prior to announcement close date. An appropriate recommendation letter is not a personal recommendation. This letter must be on official CTI school letter head, signed by the designated CTI point of contact and certify/endorse that all CTI program requirements have been met (or would have been met effective as of 12/31/13).

Additional information

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.

This 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.

All applicants found qualified for the position will be required to complete the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (AT-SA).

  • Travel to & from testing locations will be at the expense of the applicant.
  • Most recent ATSA results will be utilized for referral, regardless if they are higher or lower than previous score.
  • Requirement for pre-employment medical clearance: Applicants selected for ATCS positions must pass a medical examination that includes psychological screening prior to appointment. Applicants with prior military service are encouraged to obtain a sealed copy of their military medical records prior to discharge and to retain these records to be provided upon request if selected.
  • Requirement for security clearance: This position has been designated as Moderate Risk and will require a Public Trust background investigation or higher prior to appointment unless a waiver is obtained.
  • Training Requirements: After successful completion of Academy training, the ATCS will enter the appropriate phase of field training as determined by the assigned facility to prepare for advancement to the Certified Professional Controller (CPC) level. They must learn the skills needed for operation at higher levels of responsibility.
  • Successful certification at assigned FAA facility is required. Failure to certify will result in separation, demotion or reassignment.
  • Requirement for nonstandard duty hours or work week: Incumbent may be required to work irregular duty hours or a nonstandard work week or tour of duty.

This is a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance

Other

Drug test required

Yes

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Applicants qualifying based on education, including Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) must submit a copy of the official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours and/or confer date. CTI applicants must also submit an appropriate recommendation letter or endorsement certifying the individual would have met the CTI requirements in effect as of December 31, 2013 for an appropriate recommendation. *Please see the Education section for more information.

Facility rating records issued by the FAA or military issued ratings and/or training records must be provided, if qualifying based on specialized experience or one of the alternative requirements.

Applicants qualifying under VRA must provide either a DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 Copy or equivalent) OR a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty.

All Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit either a DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 Copy or equivalent), or a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions. If you are claiming 10 point preference, you must also submit a completed SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference, and supporting documents outlined on the SF-15. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran.

If you are claiming 10 point preference but fail to submit the supporting documents outlined on the SF-15, you will be tentatively assessed as a 5 point preference eligible provided your DD Form 214 reflects that you have the service required to qualify for preference. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran.

Veterans currently on active duty claiming veterans' preference: You will be granted tentative preference if you submit a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions and your application shows that you have the required service. Prior to being appointed, you must provide to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office a DD Form 214 documenting discharge/release and showing that the service was honorable or general. If you are on terminal leave, you must provide documentation certifying authorized terminal leave.

Persons with Disabilities

If you are person with a disability who qualifies for the Schedule A Hiring Authority, 5 CFR 213.3102 (u), you must submit your Schedule A letter. Schedule A is a special appointing authority that agencies can use to non-competitively appoint individuals, including eligible veterans, who have a severe physical, psychiatric, or intellectual disability. Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/).

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Forms:

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.


http://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/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.


IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.

We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

  • Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
  • Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
  • Employer's name and address
  • Supervisor name and phone number
  • Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Salary


Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.

Thanks to the work of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), over the past 50 years, aviation has become central to the way we live and do business, linking people from coast to coast and connecting America to the world. In fact, FAA has created the safest, most reliable, most efficient, and most productive air transportation system in the world.

Visit our careers page
Learn more about what it's like to work at Federal Aviation Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers. https://www.faa.gov/jobs/diversity_inclusion/aviation_development_program/ 

Next steps

Candidates for FAA positions are evaluated by our Human Resources Office comparing your skills and experience as described in your application with the requirements of the position. If you are found to be an eligible, highly-qualified candidate, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. (In some cases, individuals with priority for special consideration must be considered and selected before other candidates.) Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the selecting official.

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy And gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations:

 Legal and regulatory guidance

Financial suitability
(https://www.uat.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and-transparent/financial-suitability/)

 Privacy Act
(https://www.uat.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and-transparent/privacy-act/)

 Selective Service
(https://www.uat.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and-transparent/selective-service/)

Social security number request
(https://www.uat.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and-transparent/social-security-number/)

 Signature & False statements
(https://www.uat.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and-transparent/signature-false-statements/)

 New employee probationary period
(https://www.uat.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and-transparent/probationary-period/)

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