Air Traffic Control Specialist

Air Traffic Control Specialist

The Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments. Provides national-level expertise in complex air traffic control operations and procedures to analyze and evaluate critical strategic issues involving Air Domain threats, the ATO's strategic use of Air Traffic Control (ATC), and other Air Navigation Services (ANS) capabilities. Performs duties to support the System Operations Security mission, including participating in the directorate's response efforts addressing natural disasters and other crisis events that impact the national airspace system.

Serves as a recognized expert for critical and strategic Air Traffic Management (ATM) security issues, the ATCS advises and assists the Team Manager on a variety of air traffic control operations and strategic security issues. Uses program/project management principles to act as a senior project manager to coordinate large, challenging efforts across the directorate's five component security groups. Evaluates ATM security threats and recommends innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of those threats on the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of the National Airspace System (NAS). This work directly impacts the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of the U.S. aviation system.

The ATCS applies experience and expert technical knowledge of air traffic control operations security issues to study, recommend and implement critical strategies for crucial ATM security matters, such as the usage of Temporary Flight Restrictions. Coordinates strategies within the directorate and external stakeholders. Identifies and resolves highly complex problems involving the delivery of ATM security services to mitigate NAS safety, efficiency, and accessibility challenges; these challenges cross national and international boundaries and affect the accomplishment of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation, and U.S. objectives.

Applies experience separating and controlling air traffic to evaluate and advise senior leadership on proposed policies, legislative and regulatory initiatives that impact ATC and ANS operations, procedures and interests. Uses accepted correspondence policies and guides to prepare reports and responses to Congressional Technical Assistance requests, White House Statements of Administration Policy, and requests from the National Security Council on critical ATM security and emergency management strategies. Participates in international forums to evaluate and develop strategies for engaging in situations when international conflicts and disasters affect U.S. operators and other interests.

Contacts are internal and external and include FAA leadership, inter-agency counterparts, industry stakeholders, and representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Congress, and the White House. Often represents the FAA at the national level as the agency focal point for major projects or programs involving air traffic critical strategic security initiatives. Recommends organizational positions on major programs and issues to agency management. Prepares and reviews reports or policies for internal and external distribution.

Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues but almost always require the development of new and innovative approaches. Often recommends new ATM security policies. Develops ATM security procedures and approaches. As a recognized expert in ATM security operations and procedures, the specialist works independently and exercises broad discretion to ensure that work is integrated with organizational objectives and policies. The Group Manager accepts work products as technically authoritative, though work is reviewed for success in achieving desired results, effectiveness, and consonance with agency goals and objectives. Conceives, plans, and directs studies involving complex issues and unique problems.

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