AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST

Duties

SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa (USAFEAFAFRICA) staff officer and Airspace Management Liaison, with an emphasis on developing and maintaining access to airspace in Europe, Africa, The Mediterranean, and Middle East. Responsible to the Chief, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operations and Plans Branch, for matters pertaining to the Operations, Support and Execution of ISR missions. Responsible for providing expertise and assistance to DoD and Host Nation authorities on activities involving US military requirement for use of the Host Nation's airspace.

Duties:

• Analyzes issues and develops USAFE-AFAFRICA position on ISR assets access to airspace in Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean, and Middle East.
• Any work relating to the USAFE-AFAFRICA planning, programming, and integration processes of RPAS in EUCOM/AFRICOM AORs.
• Applies air traffic control, airspace management and systems management experience to identify, analyze, and develop new processes and procedures necessary to attain and sustain training airspace for long-range DoD activities in EUCOM/AFRICOM's AORs.
• In relation to RPAS activities, researches, develops, authors, and presents briefings, memos, staff correspondence, etc on future programs, acquisition status, shortfalls, capabilities, and historical trends.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a OCONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Employees and family members requiring medical/dental care in the overseas location are responsible for obtaining/paying for care. Access for these members to military medical/dental treatment facilities is on space-available/reimbursable basis only.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use.
• This position requires the incumbent to gain and maintain historic and current knowledge of the international aviation community, especially Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean, and Middle East. Experience in European ATM affairs is highly desirable.
• Current knowledge of RPAS and navigational systems being considered for acquisition by US and foreign nations for military or civil use, and the impact on USAFE/EUCOM/AFRICOM's operations is highly desired.
• In-depth knowledge of Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System (PPBS) is highly desirable.
• Remain calm and controlled during and after long periods of tension and fatigue.
• Position is designated special-sensitive and requires a top-secret security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) as a condition of employment.
• Physical - if hired from CONUS to foreign OCONUS, selectee must accomplish pre-employment physical
• Gaining unit may pay for PCS expenses

Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (CONT):

• This fundamental working knowledge requires extensive exposure and first-hand experience in interacting and successfully negotiating with host nations' representatives, who are the linchpins to the success of USAFE/EUCOM/AFRICOM's ability to maintain or expand airspace usage.
• In addition to extensive experience and knowledge of specific political, regulatory, and technical workings of the various Host Nations, NATO and other aviation bodies, the position requires broad knowledge of international relations, U.S. foreign policy, protocol skills and ability to access the host nations' long-range airspace plans.
• To be successful the incumbent must have detailed current knowledge of culture, mores, customs, and processes necessary to establish fundamental working relationships and the maintenance of long-term relationships, which benefits US interests. Position requires incumbent to hold a FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist Certificate.
• The employee performs other duties as required by the Air Command and Control Division Chief, must be a US citizen, is required to have a government passport, requires access to classified materials up to and including Secret, and travels internationally by military or civilian mode in the performance of temporary duty assignments. Temporary duty will normally be required approximately 90-100 days annually and vary between 5-30 days for a single period of duty, but could exceed 30 days.

QUALIFICATIONS:
In order to qualify, you must meet the SPECIALIZED experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Air Traffic Control Series, 2152.

SPECIALIZED EXPEREINCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes expert knowledge of operational ATC and aviation issues to include; terminal area procedures, en route operations, route structures, aerodynamics, communications, meteorology, flight planning, separation criteria, and resolution of alleged systems deviations; mastery of ATM, ASM, and ATCALS is mandatory. The paramount knowledge of the position is mastery of ATC and ASM procedures, the principles underlying their establishment (US and international) and the necessary navigational equipment or systems; comprehensive knowledge of ICAO standard and recommended practices (SARPs), ICAO publications, FARs, FAA Orders and Directives, Department of Defense Policy Directives, NATO Standardization Agreements, US/NATO and the varying Host Nations' policies, directives and regulations pertaining to air traffic control, airspace management, air operations, and air defense. In-depth familiarity with the EUROCONTROL and NATO activities concerning all remotely piloted aircraft; and extensive, current knowledge of technical procedures and requirements related to future RPAS basing, management processes, and future systems required for DOD aviation activities and continued assess to European and African airspace.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

Knowledge of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations and standard practices, DoD, Federal Air Regulations (FARs), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) orders and directives, USAF and NATO policy directives and regulations, international and intra-theater Host Nation air traffic and airspace laws, rules, regulations, policies and trends. Knowledge of Air Traffic Control and Landing System (ATCALS) and C2.

Knowledge of and experience with RPAS platforms, sensors, and related technologies, and ability to draw conclusions relevant to their application to the USAFE mission. A fundamental requirement is of this position is a detailed, current knowledge of the operational, and government processes (both military and civilian), as they relate to aviation infrastructures for Host Nations in the EUCOM/AFRICOM AORs.

Ability to act decisively under stressful situations and to maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure; coordinate plans and actions, and use judgment to select and take the safest and most effective course of action from among several available choices. Skills to arrive quickly at well-reasoned solutions to complex problems and adjust quickly to different assignments, changing conditions, and workload fluctuations.

As political and business attitudes evolve in the aviation industry, to be successful the employee must have a detailed current knowledge of culture, mores, customs, and processes necessary to establish fundamental working relationships and the maintenance of long-term relationships. Responsibility includes the skill and ability to analyze and evaluate methods and procedures (both Host Nation and US), plan work and establish priorities to meet emerging and changeable scenarios.

Knowledge of ATM, ASM, ATCALS, program and systems management, and the skill in applying this knowledge to difficult and unusual situations.

Ability to examine and interpret current and emerging Host Nation airspace, air traffic functions, and regulations and provide definitive DoD guidance.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Important Overseas Information: Applicants interested in applying for overseas locations please click to review important information regarding the exceptional family member program.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click .

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