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Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal)


Job Location:

Valdosta, GA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 50460 - 50460
Posted: 6 October 2026 (23 days ago)
Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

Click on Learn more about this agency button below for IMPORTANT additional information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve in a PALACE Acquire (PAQ) centrally managed position in the Operations Career Field. This is a developmental position requiring the performance of assignments that are designed to further develop applicable analytical and evaluative skills and techniques.


Duties

  • Assists certified controllers and learns to initiate and issue air traffic control instructions and clearances.
  • Learns to observe report and disseminate airport advisories weather information and equipment status reports.
  • Participates in training and developmental activities specific to a structured air traffic control training program to obtain position certification and carry-out routine assignments with more independence.
  • Performs a variety of highly structure entry-level air traffic control work designed to develop broader and more in-depth knowledge and skill to perform higher level assignments.

Requirements
Conditions of employment
  • Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service see
  • Total salary varies depending on location of position
  • If authorized PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements may be found at: incentives may be authorized
  • Position may be subject to random drug testing
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours to include evenings weekends and/or holidays
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • A security clearance may be required
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • 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.
  • Student Loan Repayment may be authorized.
  • You will be required to serve a one year probationary period
  • A security clearance may be required
  • Mobility - you may be required to relocate during or after completion of your training
Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
Experience And Education Requirements

Applicants may meet minimum qualification requirements on the basis of experience education or for GS-7 positions one of the alternate provisions described below.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05 or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes: Issuing control instructions and advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to assure proper separation of aircraft and to expedite their safe and efficient movement and assignments will become progressively more difficult in nature to provide visual flight rules (VFR) air traffic control services to aircraft operating in the vicinity of an airport or on the controlled movement area of the airfield providing for the safe orderly and expeditious air traffic flow.

Specialized experience (for GS-7 and above):

Experience in a military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrated possession of the knowledge skills and abilities required to perform the level of work of the specialization for which application is made. this experience must have provided a comprehensive knowledge of appropriate air traffic control laws rules and regulations.

For Terminal Position: Issuing control instructions and advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to assure proper separation of aircraft and to expedite their safe and efficient movement. This specialization also requires:
  • Ability to act decisively under stressful situations and to maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure;
  • Skill to coordinate plans and actions with pilots and other controllers; and
  • Judgment to select and take the safest and most effective course of action from among several available choices.
OR

REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-7 POSITIONS:


Applicants who pass the written test qualify for GS-7 if they:
  • Hold or have held and appropriate facility rating and have actively controlled air traffic in civilian or military air traffic control terminals or centers:
  • Hold or have held an FAA certificate as a dispatcher for an air carrier;
  • Hold or have held an instrument flight rating:
  • Hold or have held an FAA certificate as a navigator or have been fully qualified as a Navigator/Bombardier in the Armed forces;
  • Have 350 hours of flight time as a copilot or higher and hold or have held a private certificate or equivalent Armed Forces rating;
  • Have served as a rated Aerospace Defense Command Intercept Director: or Meet the requirements for GS-5 and pass the written test with an appropriately higher score.
Maximum Entry Age:

Under the provision of 5 U.S.C.3307 a maximum entry age has been established for Terminal and Center positions.


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:
1. Knowledge of the fundamental laws rules regulations and procedures governing the movement of air traffic including terminal and tower operations.
2. Knowledge of basic air traffic control principles and concepts sufficient to perform entry-level developmental assignments.
3. Knowledge of the basic operational functions of ATC equipment airfield systems and weather phenomena affecting local air traffic.
4. Ability to analyze problems gather pertinent data to identify significant factors and make timely judgments in a dynamic work situation.
5. Ability to remain calm under stress coordinate multiple tasks and act decisively in emergency situations as directed.
6. Ability to plan and organize work and communicate clearly rapidly and effectively both orally and in writing.

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

For GS-7 Positions: Superior academic achievement at the baccalaureate level or 1 full year of graduate study meets the requirements for GS-7.

The Palace Acquire Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change complexity and problem solving. The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval. This is your opportunity to begin a successful civilian career with the United States Air Force. You must have completed a 4 year course of study leading to a bachelors from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in one of the following:

a) Class Standing - upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses in the college university or major subdivision;
b) Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum.
c) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society (note: freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position). (If qualifying based on class standing or honor society membership provide appropriate documentation).
If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded i.e. pass/fail CLEP CCAF DANTES military credit etc. you cannot qualify based on GPA.

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however if position has a positive degree requirement qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

For Direct Hire (DHA) Positions:
These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the Department of Defense for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified post-secondary students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; these positions may be professional or administrative occupations and are located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy displaced Federal employees must be rated in the Highly Qualified or Best Qualified Category on the rating criteria for this vacancy. 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
here for more information.

Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition. Additionally if you are serving on a term appointment in the competitive service you may be converted to a career or career-conditional appointment without further competition. NOTE: Current federal civilian employees may apply for this position and if selected a break in service of at least 3 days may be required prior to appointment to this position.

Selective Service: Males born aftermust be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information click here.

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

Disabled veteran leave 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 here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click
here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our 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.


Required Experience:

IC