AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION

A separation error is measured in seconds. When an Air Traffic Control Specialist is not performing at the full certification standard, the margin between a safe movement and a runway incursion narrows to nothing. This role covers the authorized management of aircraft movement within a designated control zone, from issuing IFR and VFR clearances to coordinating ground vehicles and equipment around active runways. FAA-rated facilities and ICAO-compliant aerodromes both depend on controllers who hold current medical certificates and Tower Operating credentials, and who can process multiple simultaneous traffic streams under time pressure. The work is licensed, regulated, and entirely consequential.

As the Air Traffic Control Specialist, you own the sequencing, separation, and clearance of aircraft movements within an assigned control zone, applying FAA Orders and ICAO standards to keep each operation within prescribed safety margins. You work within a rated tower or aerodrome facility, coordinating in real time with approach control, ground crews, weather services, and adjacent facilities to sustain safe throughput across all traffic phases.

Career Impact: Holding an FAA Tower Operating Certificate or validated Aerodrome Rating places you in a small, federally licensed population where demonstrated CPC experience translates directly into long-term market value across domestic and international aviation employers.

Business Impact: Pilots, ground crews, and airline operations teams act on your clearances and instructions; the throughput, safety record, and regulatory standing of the facility are directly shaped by the precision of your calls.

Growth Opportunity: Experienced controllers who develop proficiency in PBN procedure design and airspace optimization open a path toward FAA technical specialist roles, procedure design contracts, and senior advisory positions within national aviation programs.

• Issue landing and takeoff clearances, runway assignments, and sequencing instructions to arriving and departing aircraft within the designated control zone.
• Coordinate with approach control and adjacent facilities on aircraft handoffs, traffic flow, and pertinent operational information to maintain uninterrupted separation.
• Disseminate weather observations and real-time meteorological updates to pilots, and report significant weather changes to the meteorological office.
• Monitor and direct all vehicle, pedestrian, and ground support equipment movement on and around active airfield surfaces.
• Alert emergency crews and designated personnel to aircraft in distress, and provide alerting service to search and rescue organizations as required.
• Maintain and submit daily operational records, flight data, NOTAMs, and safety incident reports in accordance with applicable FAA Orders and facility procedures.
• Review flight plans, departure slot allocations, and traffic sequencing data to support accurate, delay-minimized ground and airborne flow.

• Bachelor's degree in aviation, aeronautical science, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of active air traffic control experience, with demonstrated proficiency in a rated tower or aerodrome environment.
• Current FAA Air Traffic Control Tower Operating Certificate, or validated Aerodrome Rating with documented hours exercising that rating.
• Valid FAA second-class medical certificate, or equivalent ATC medical certificate meeting the requirements of the operating jurisdiction.
• Working knowledge of FAA Orders, Directives, and Advisory Circulars governing tower operations and instrument flight procedure compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain standard aircraft separation under time pressure, manage simultaneous traffic streams, and adjust rapidly to operational changes.
• Effective oral communication skills sufficient to issue clear, accurate instructions in high-pressure and emergencies.

ICAO English Language Proficiency at Level 4 or above, reflecting experience in international or multicultural airspace environments

Experience with PBN airspace or instrument flight procedure design, including familiarity with FAA PBN program workflows and data retrieval tools

Possession of a Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Station (LAWRS) certificate of authority, or equivalent weather observation authorization

• Separation compliance rate, measuring adherence to prescribed distance and time intervals across all managed traffic.
• Incident report accuracy and submission timeliness, reflecting documentation quality against FAA reporting requirements.
• Traffic throughput per shift, measuring the volume of aircraft cleared without delay attributable to controller sequencing.
• Weather dissemination response time measures how quickly updated meteorological information reaches active flight crews.
• Handoff error rate measures coordination accuracy on aircraft transfers to and from adjacent facilities.
• Typical tools: ATC communication systems (commonly VHF/UHF radio, interphone); weather reporting platforms (commonly LAWRS, ASOS-automated feeds)

• Base Salary Range: $62,000 to $115,000 annually, varying by facility level and certification
• Bonus: Performance or shift differential pay is common at FAA and contract facilities
• Equity: not typical for this role; government and contract structures prevail
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage standard; FEHB eligibility for federal positions
• PTO: 13 to 26 days annually, consistent with federal schedule or contractor equivalents
• Common Perks: shift differential pay, remote or island-posting allowances, relocation support at select facilities

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required for all positions; candidates must be eligible under applicable federal immigration law and, where applicable, able to obtain a security suitability clearance through a public trust background investigation. Employment is contingent on successful completion of background and drug screening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities upon request.

The Air Traffic Control Specialist owns the full lifecycle of terminal instrument procedure development, from evaluating waiver requests to establishing criteria for military airfield approaches and departures, while maintaining authoritative knowledge of TERPS automation software, including Global Procedure Designer. Serving as the technical authority for the Air National Guard, this specialist collaborates with national, international, and interservice committees to advance compliance and operational safety across flying organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Identifies, plans, and organizes projects for developing new terminal instrument procedure formats and criteria
• Evaluates requests from flying organizations for new and revised instrument approach and departure procedures requiring waivers to established terminal instrument criteria
• Develops policies and guidance concerned with the improvement or establishment of criteria applicable to instrument approach and departure procedures to and from military airfields
• Represents the Air National Guard by attending conferences or meetings of national, international, and interservice committees and working groups
• Provides technical assistance to flying organizations regarding instrument flight procedures to ensure compliance with appropriate directives
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of established and proposed air tactics, system capabilities, and techniques of use, including fixed and tactical navigation and ground equipment
• Serves as the technical authority concerning instrument procedure criteria and operational requirements

Required Qualifications

• Meets the specialized experience requirements for the GS-2152 Air Traffic Control Series as defined in OPM Qualification Standards
• Knowledge of military, civil, and international Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) concepts, management practices, and operational requirements relating to airfield waivers, airfield construction, pavement deterioration, and airfield markings
• Extensive knowledge of Air Traffic Control procedures, laws, rules, and regulations, airfield management standards, and FAA Orders and Advisory Circulars about instrument procedure development and revision
• Knowledge and skills in applying analytic geometry to issues concerning the development and revision of instrument procedures and the operational and performance characteristics of aircraft, navigational aids, radar, and weather systems
• Current experience in TERPS development and Air Force TERPS automation software, including Global Procedure Designer (GPD)
• Experience in staffing procedures for coordination and obtaining acceptance of proposals from higher headquarters and applicable aviation authorities
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form, including written reports, memoranda, and briefings, to gain cooperation through tact and diplomacy
• Ability to make rapid and precise judgments in real-time situations, remain calm under stress, coordinate multiple processes simultaneously, and adjust rapidly to changes in work tempo

Embedded within the nation's airspace management system, the Air Traffic Control Specialist controls air traffic on and within the vicinity of the airport according to established procedures and policies to prevent collisions and minimize delays arising from traffic congestion. Working closely with IFR control facilities, the National Weather Service, and flight service stations, this specialist ensures the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of aircraft through every phase of ground and airborne operation.

Core Functions

• Answers radio calls from arriving and departing aircraft
• Issues with landing and takeoff instructions
• Issues information, including runway to use, wind velocity and direction, visibility, taxiing instructions, and pertinent data on other aircraft operating in the vicinity
• Issues with air traffic clearances
• Provides advice based on personal observations and information from the National Weather Service, IFR control facilities, flight service stations, pilots, and other sources
• Takes and disseminates weather observations at LAWRS and SAWRS facilities
• Transfers control to receiving facilities when aircraft leave the airspace and receives control of aircraft entering the airspace
• Operates radios, telephones, interphones, computer systems, radar, recording systems, weather equipment, light guns, airport and runway lighting systems, and backup equipment
• Alerts airport emergency crews and other designated personnel when aircraft are experiencing flight difficulties
• Maintains and disseminates records of daily operations

Qualifications & Experience

• Holds a current FAA Class II Medical Certificate (FAA Form 8500-9)
• Holds a current FAA Airman Certificate with a Control Tower Operator (CTO) Rating
• Holds an FAA Airman Certificate with an Air Traffic Control Specialist Credential and a Tower Rating held for at least 6 months
• Minimum of 6 months of satisfactory service as an air traffic control tower operator at a rated facility
• Eligible to work under applicable federal immigration laws
• Be able to obtain an interim security suitability clearance granted through a public trust background check

Reporting to aerodrome leadership, the Air Traffic Control Specialist delivers standard separation, IFR and VFR clearances, flow control, and alerting services for aircraft operating within the air traffic control zone, ensuring safety across all inbound and outbound movements. Partnering with meteorological offices, approach control, and maintenance teams, this specialist sustains safe and efficient operations at a major international airport while upholding ICAO regulatory requirements.

Primary Duties

• Ensures self-briefing on the latest technical instructions, standing instructions, and weather information
• Coordinates with approach control to provide the best sequence for inbound and outbound aircraft
• Ensures standard separation between all inbound and outbound aircraft in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, and unit procedures
• Provides flight information service to aircraft operating in the air traffic control zone and issues IFR and VFR clearances to pilots
• Provides flow control and slot allocation to departing aircraft
• Ensures current flight plans are up to date and updates delays as required
• Provides weather information to pilots and advises the meteorological office of significant weather changes
• Coordinates runway inspections and maintenance with minimal disruption to flights
• Monitors aerodrome equipment to ensure serviceability
• Provides alerting service for aircraft in emergencies, notifies appropriate organizations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid, and assists such organizations as required
• Prepares reports of safety incidents in accordance with reporting procedures for incidents, accidents, and safety-related occurrences

Skills & Qualifications

• Holds a valid ATC Medical certificate
• Holds a validated Aerodrome Rating with a minimum of 5 years of total experience exercising that rating
• Minimum of 3 years spent exercising an Aerodrome Rating at a major international airport
• ICAO English Language Proficiency at Level 4 or above
• Experience within a multicultural environment in the Middle East is preferred

The Air Traffic Control Specialist shapes the development and technical accuracy of Instrument Flight Procedures by retrieving and analyzing PBN data, supervising graphics specialists, and advising the FAA on procedure design risks within the Performance-Based Navigation Programs and Policy Group. Working alongside IFP workgroup stakeholders and user evaluation teams, the specialist ensures that all procedures and associated technical outputs comply fully with FAA Orders, directives, and criteria.

Technical Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance related to the optimization of airspace and procedure design in PBN projects
• Operate the Terminal Area Route Generation Evaluation Traffic Simulation (TARGETS) software
• Retrieve and analyze PBN and air traffic data from various sources, including the PBN Dashboard Observer, the Project Tracking Tool, and appropriate radar data retrieval programs
• Provide expertise regarding Instrument Flight Procedures design risks and alternatives
• Review and provide expertise on FAA Orders and Directives about criteria affecting PBN procedure design
• Follow and comply with all applicable FAA orders, directives, and criteria in the course of designing procedures and producing associated technical data and forms
• Produce presentation and briefing material related to IFP development and resultant flight paths
• Supervise the work of graphics specialists and provide technical assistance as required
• Review own work and the work of others for accuracy and compliance with criteria
• Participate in user evaluation teams supporting the enhancement of IFP-related software, databases, and project tracking tools
• Coordinate with IFP workgroup stakeholders as necessary or as directed
• Provide TARGETS support for meetings and produce draft meeting documents
• Plan, organise, prioritise, and carry out work duties independently

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience
• Minimum of 15 years of experience as a Certified Professional Controller
• Experience within the last three years working with complex automation tools, CAD software, or similar applications
• Practical experience in technical work related to air traffic control, procedures, and airspace design
• Knowledge of and experience with airspace or procedures design
• Knowledge of TARGETS software
• Proficiency in industry-standard office software, including MS Office and Acrobat
• Excellent facilitation and project management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills

Delivering safe and orderly aircraft movement depends on the Air Traffic Control Specialist, who issues landing and takeoff instructions, coordinates with adjacent facilities on traffic transfers, and ensures emergency crews receive timely alerts across all operational conditions. Serving within an FAA-certificated control tower environment, the specialist maintains daily operational records and holds a valid Tower Operating Certificate and current second-class FAA medical certificate to sustain uninterrupted airspace authority.

Scope of Work

• Issue landing and takeoff instructions
• Coordinate with and issue instructions to airport vehicles and personnel
• Coordinate with adjacent facilities on the movement of air traffic, the transfer of control of aircraft entering and exiting airspace, and pertinent flight information and instructions
• Disseminate airport automated weather information and take manual weather observations when automation is not transmitting
• Alert airport emergency crews and other designated personnel when handling unexpected events, emergencies, and unscheduled traffic
• Maintain records of daily operations
• Perform other ATC and airspace duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Valid FAA Air Traffic Control Tower Operating Certificate
• Current second-class FAA medical certificate
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Station certificate of authority
• Ability to complete the required training programme and certification within prescribed training hours
• Ability to work occasional weekends and overtime in support of tests or other operations
• Effective oral communication skills for conveying information in high-pressure or emergencies
• Excellent interpersonal skills across all levels of management and staff