Airway Transportation Systems Specialist

About the role

This position is an Airway Transportation Systems Specialists (ATSS). All duties of an ATSS are tied to maintaining safe and efficient operating capacity of the vast and complex network of electronics systems required for the world's largest air traffic control and navigation system.

ATSS personnel install, evaluate, maintain, modify and certify facilities, services and equipment that support the National Airspace System (NAS).

What you will do

• At this level, the ATSS performs highly specialized technical work associated with the NAS.
• The work performed at this level requires extensive knowledge of the technology, systems interrelationships, and management of the NAS.
• Requires planning and conducting operational and diagnostic tests, confirming the reliability and validity of diagnostics on system hardware, software, or applications in support of the NAS.
• ATSS has full maintenance and operational responsibility for multiple disciplines, systems and services: Navigational Aids: Instrument Landing Systems, Very High Frequency Omni Directional Ranges, Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Directional Ranges, Tactical Aircraft Control and Navigation, and Distance Measuring Equipment.
• Receives general work assignments from a supervisor.
• Uses own judgment, experience, and knowledge to solve problems and complete assignments.
• Applies broad experience and advanced technical knowledge of assigned discipline and/or specialty.
• Utilizes and interprets FAA orders, technical manuals, manufacturer's instructions, procedures and other publications as required to complete multiple and complex work assignments.
• Applies judgment and discretion to select the most appropriate method to complete the work assignment with a high degree of independence, keeping supervisor advised of significant problem areas, which may impact ATC operations.
• Supervisor furnishes general instructions on the scope of work, time limitations, and priorities.
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of the NAS as an integrated system of the relationship of the parts to the whole and of the capabilities within the NAS to deal with unusual problems or unanticipated air traffic safety issues.
• Understands how assigned systems, components, and disciplines are integrated with other systems, components, and disciplines.
• Initiates action to install, repair, or restore systems and services, takes into account the availability of back-up systems, possible reconfigurations to minimize service interruptions, and the relative criticality of particular functions to the safe and efficient operation of the NAS.
• Collaborates with system users, planners, engineers, and contractor personnel in the installation and testing of new or modified systems and in identifying needed improvements or enhancements.
• Develops and recommends methods of enhancing efficiency of systems through modification and application of existing or emerging technology.
• May have broad automated systems and networking responsibility, providing end-to-end services to Air Traffic customers.
• Understands how assigned systems, components, and disciplines are integrated with other systems, components, and disciplines.
• Initiates actions to install, repair or restore systems and services on the availability of backup systems reconfiguration to minimize service interruptions and insure the safe and efficient operation of the NAS.
• The ATSS is considered a key technical point of contact for assigned systems, programs, and projects.
• Contacts are made to provide technical information on multiple systems, instruct other employees, share information across organizations, provide ATC systems data, provide status briefings on system reliability, coordinate, and oversee the activities of contractors.
• In addition, Defense (DoD), airport management, contractors, and utility companies to resolve complex technical or engineering issues.
• The ATSS possesses a broad knowledge of the FAA orders, Technical Instruction manuals, policies and procedures pertaining to the maintaining FAA systems safely in a variety of work environments, including Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), Facility and System Security, National Electrical Code (NEC) and Human Resources Directives.
• Must use proper personal protective equipment and use safety procedures while accomplishing work assignments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

There is no positive education requirement.

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.

Documents you must provide

• You MUST submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2).
• Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in non-consideration for this position.
• SUPERVISORY ENDORSEMENT: A supervisor's endorsement form or memorandum is required for a competitive promotion.
• Applicants applying for a promotion must include a Supervisor's Endorsement or Memorandum which must include the vacancy announcement number and supervisor's signature.
• A Supervisor's Endorsement is not required for in-grade/downgrade and/or reassignments.
• To obtain the Supervisory Endorsement, please contact your manager.
• Applicants must apply on-line, through USAJOBS, to receive consideration.
• Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted.
• If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your on-line application, e.g., transcripts, SF-50 or Supervisory Endorsement, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS.
• 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 ***

What to expect next

Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide. Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.

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.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Position may be subject to a background investigation. 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. 1.

DEMONSTRATED ABILITIES: You MUST provide a NARRATIVE statement for each Demonstrated Ability. The narratives should be clear and concise, providing a description of your education, training and experience that would describe the degree to which you possess each Demonstrated Ability.

Candidates must show experience at the level of difficulty/responsibility appropriate to the position.

Note: Answer all questions to the best of your ability.

DON'T ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE.

You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation of your experience at a later stage in the selection process. Responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during that application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

2. Supervisor's Endorsement: Applicants applying for a promotion must include a Supervisor's Endorsement or Memorandum which must include the vacancy announcement number and supervisor's signature (wet, ink, or digital). A Supervisor's Endorsement is not required for in-grade/downgrade and/or reassignments.

Interviews: If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the selection list who are qualified must be interviewed. Security Requirement: This position requires completion and favorable adjudication of a Moderate Risk (5) Background Investigation (Tier 2) unless waiver is obtained. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA