AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER JOB DESCRIPTION

Few jobs carry consequences measured in seconds. A military-contracted Air Traffic Controller directs the movement of fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, and fighter jets through restricted and shared-use airspace, applying FAA, ICAO, and DOD regulatory frameworks simultaneously. The role sits within the operational chain of a military airfield or contingency facility, answering to facility leadership while coordinating directly with pilots and adjacent control centers. Controllers at this level hold FAA ATCS or CTO certification and routinely operate under DOT/FAA drug-testing requirements, background investigation standards, and DOD security clearance obligations.

As the Air Traffic Controller, you own real-time separation, sequencing, and clearance issuance for both IFR and VFR traffic in a military or DOD-contracted operational environment, directly preventing incidents in high-density, mixed-use airspace. You work within a 24/7 shift structure alongside tactical controllers and flight operations personnel, with accountability flowing through the facility's Controller in Charge or Shift Leader.

Career Impact: Controllers who complete tours in DOD-contracted or military airfield environments build a record of multi-framework certification, FAA, ICAO, and DOD, that commands premium placement across both government and civil aviation hiring markets.

Business Impact: When aircraft carrying military personnel, equipment, or mission-critical cargo move safely through restricted airspace, it is because this seat executed every separation decision and clearance directly determines whether flight operations continue without incident.

Growth Opportunity: Tenure in a military ATC environment creates a pathway toward Controller in Charge, facility management, or FAA staff specialist roles that require documented experience at Level 3 facilities or above.

• Maintain positive separation of IFR and VFR traffic, including fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and fighter aircraft, within assigned restricted and shared airspace.
• Issue arrival, departure, and taxiing instructions to aircraft and ground vehicles to sustain continuous, conflict-free airfield operations.
• Formulate and relay IFR clearances, transponder codes, and flight data to pilots and adjacent facilities to ensure expeditious traffic flow.
• Coordinate with tactical air traffic controllers and neighboring ATC facilities across sector boundaries to manage traffic sequencing.
• Monitor and relay current and forecasted weather information, NOTAMs, and aeronautical advisories to aircraft under control.
• Respond to in-flight emergencies and distress situations, initiating coordination with emergency personnel and relevant agencies.
• Perform operator-level equipment checks and report outages, failures, or abnormal occurrences to maintenance and facility leadership.
• Maintain operating logs, training records, and standard operating procedures in compliance with facility requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in aviation, aerospace, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Four or more years of certified air traffic control experience, with demonstrated proficiency in radar and two-way radio operations in a tower or en route environment.
• FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) Certificate (FAA Form 7220-1) or Control Tower Operator (CTO) Certificate, active and in good standing.
• Current FAA Class II Medical Certificate valid for at least six months from the date of hire.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret Security Clearance or Public Trust determination as required by the facility.
• Knowledge of FAA, ICAO, and DOD air traffic control rules, regulations, and separation standards applicable to mixed military and civilian operations.
• Fluency in spoken English sufficient for two-way radio communications under IFR and VFR conditions.
• Ability to meet applicable physical fitness and medical deployment standards, including DOT/FAA drug-testing program requirements.

• Prior supervisory or Controller in Charge experience within an ATC tower or en route facility.
• Documented experience controlling USAF, Army, or other military aircraft in a mixed-use environment that includes helicopters, general aviation, and air carriers.
• Familiarity with ATC automation equipment used in radar and flight data positions across DOD or FAA facilities.
• Prior completion of a DOD, FAA, or ICAO-accredited air traffic control course beyond initial certification.

• Separation compliance rate, measuring zero loss-of-separation events across all controlled traffic in the shift period.
• Clearance relay accuracy, tracking the percentage of IFR clearances issued without error or required correction.
• Emergency response initiation time, measuring the interval between distress call receipt and coordinated agency notification.
• Equipment outage reporting rate, reflecting timely escalation of failures before they affect operational continuity.
• OJT completion rate for assigned trainees, tracking progression through unit endorsement milestones within scheduled windows.
• Typical tools: radar display and automation systems (commonly STARS or ARTS); flight data processing and communications platforms (commonly EARTS or equivalent DOD-facility systems)

• Base Salary Range: $75,000 to $110,000 per year, depending on facility level and clearance tier
• Bonus: Retention or recruitment incentives are common, up to 10% annually under multi-year service agreements
• Equity: Not typical in contracted government aviation roles
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; federal contractor plans widely available
• PTO: 10 to 15 days annually, plus federal holidays; shift-differential leave policies vary by contractor
• Common Perks: Security clearance sponsorship, medical certificate renewal support, and shift-differential pay for overnight and weekend rotations

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, and employment may be contingent on the successful outcome of a federal background investigation and, where applicable, the granting of a DOD security clearance. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request throughout the hiring process.

The Air Traffic Controller at the Kabul Approach Center (KAC) delivers safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of air traffic by maintaining positive aircraft separation, issuing IFR clearances, and coordinating with adjacent ATC facilities across designated airspace. Working within a high-stakes operational environment, this role shapes mission outcomes for military and civilian aviation and reports through established ATC facility command structures.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain positive control of aircraft within designated airspace.
• Keep radio and radar contact with aircraft.
• Issue landing and takeoff instructions.
• Apply appropriate separation minima in accordance with applicable FAA, ICAO, or military directives.
• Issue control instructions to aircraft within assigned airspace for the safe and expeditious flow of air traffic.
• Apply vertical and lateral separation minima to aircraft climbing or descending.
• Formulate and issue IFR clearances, including routes and flight levels based on known and existing traffic.
• Provide current and forecasted weather phenomena to aircraft.
• Handle unexpected events, emergencies, and unscheduled traffic.
• Maintain and disseminate records of daily operations.
• Control movements onto and off runways.
• Coordinate with adjacent ATC facilities.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Four years of ATC experience in a radar facility.
• Current FAA Class II Medical Certificate, maintained at all times.
• Knowledge of air traffic control rules, regulations, and techniques.
• Knowledge of ATC automation equipment, including Micro-EARTS, ARTS, and STARS.
• Proficiency in utilizing two-way radio communications, radar systems with associated computer equipment, landline communications systems, and visual light-gun signals.
• Ability to formulate limited weather observations and assist aircraft during periods of inclement weather using radar, instrument landing systems, and various types of airfield lighting.
• Ability to offer emergency assistance to aircraft and coordinate with emergency personnel and other agencies.

Embedded within the AJI training organization, the Air Traffic Controller, in this subject matter expert capacity, builds technically accurate training products and courseware by obtaining information from engineering teams, technical organizations, and software product requirements. Working closely with FAA staff and training program leads, this role advances compliance with new training requirements and sustains currency of technical information that supports workforce readiness across the ATC community.

Core Functions

• Provide analytical feedback and recommendations for technical training products, courseware, materials, and programs.
• Obtain information from technical organizations, engineering teams, and software.
• Product requirements to prepare training programs.
• Assist in planning, assessment, and quality reviews.
• Assist in the design and review of product demonstrations for technical accuracy.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree with 12–15 years of FAA Air Traffic Control terminal experience, or a master's degree with 10–13 years of prior relevant experience.
• Additional years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Ten years of FAA Air Traffic Control experience on both the terminal and en route sides.
• Two to four years of experience as an FAA staff specialist.
• Experience at various-sized terminal facilities.
• FAA management experience, preferably at the second level.
• Staff experience at Level 3 or higher, or as an FAA staff manager.
• FAA headquarters experience.
• Experience as an ATC OJT instructor or training specialist.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.

Reporting to facility management, the Air Traffic Controller in Dubai leads the provision of approach control, flight information, and alerting services to aircraft operating within the assigned FIR while interfacing with OJT students and colleagues to develop the highest standard of controller capability. Partnering with operational teams and management on airspace procedure and system changes, this role shapes the safety and regularity of air traffic at a major international airport in the United Arab Emirates.

Primary Duties

• Ensure the provision of approach control service, flight information service, and alerting service to aircraft operating in the assigned FIR.
• Maintain thorough operational knowledge of equipment and systems used for the provision of air traffic services.
• Distribute meteorological information necessary for the safe and orderly handling of traffic.
• Participate in pre-watch briefings concerning all known conditions affecting the safety and regularity of air traffic.
• Report failures, abnormal occurrences, or any other conditions likely to constitute a safety hazard.
• Provide operational feedback to management on proposed airspace procedures and system changes.
• Interface with colleagues and OJT students to develop the highest standard of air traffic controllers for integration into air traffic services.

Skills & Qualifications

• Validated Approach Rating with a minimum of five years of total experience exercising this rating.
• Minimum of three years exercising an Approach Rating at a major international airport.
• Valid ATC medical certificate.
• ICAO English Language Proficiency Level 5 or above.
• Experience within a multi-cultural environment in the Middle East is preferred.

Sitting at the intersection of civilian aviation standards and DOD operational requirements, the Air Traffic Controller owns the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic in assigned airspace by issuing IFR clearances, coordinating ramp and refuel services, and providing on-the-job training to new controllers. Operating across FAA, ICAO, DOD, and host nation regulatory frameworks, this role enables continuous airfield operations and directly supports aircraft in emergency and distress situations.

Duties

• Receive, post, and relay flight data information, clearances, and messages.
• Issue arrival and departure instructions, weather information, and special advisories to aircraft under control.
• Issue information and clearances for separating and sequencing aircraft.
• Coordinate with other controllers, facilities, and agencies to provide prompt ATC services.
• Coordinate arrival and departure times with flight operations.
• Assist aircraft in emergency or distress situations.
• Issue taxiing instructions to aircraft and vehicles on the ground.
• Maintain facility training records, logs, and recordings.
• Perform operator-level equipment checks and advise maintenance personnel and the facility chief of any outages.
• Follow FAA, ICAO, DOD, and host nation aviation regulations and procedures.
• Coordinate ramp and refuel services for aircraft.
• Provide on-the-job training and tower familiarization to new controllers as directed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• FAA Control Tower Operator Certificate is preferred.
• Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) certificate or Control Tower Operator (CTO) certificate.
• Minimum five years of experience as an air traffic controller.
• Ability to obtain a DOD Secret Security Clearance.
• Ability to meet medical deployment requirements in accordance with CENTCOM MOD15.
• Fluency in spoken English for two-way radio communications.
• Basic computer skills.

The Air Traffic Controller delivers safe, orderly movement of aircraft on and within the vicinity of the airport by issuing clearances, landing and takeoff instructions, and real-time weather advisories to arriving and departing traffic. Working alongside airport emergency crews, ground vehicles, and adjacent ATC facilities, the Air Traffic Controller ensures continuous, collision-free operations through precise coordination and equipment management.

Key Responsibilities

• Control air traffic on and within the vicinity of the airport according to established procedures and policies to prevent collisions and minimise delays.
• Answer radio calls from arriving and departing aircraft.
• Issue landing and takeoff instructions.
• Issue information such as runway in use, wind velocity and direction, visibility, taxiing instructions, and pertinent data on other aircraft operating in the vicinity.
• Issue air traffic clearances.
• Provide advice based on observations and information from weather services, IFR control facilities, flight service stations, pilots, and other sources.
• Take and disseminate weather observations at LAWRS or SAWRS facilities.
• Transfer control to receiving facilities when aircraft leave the assigned airspace, and receive control of incoming aircraft.
• Operate various types of equipment, including radios, telephones, interphones, computer systems, radar, recording systems, weather equipment, light guns, airport lighting systems, and backup equipment.
• Alert airport emergency crews and other designated personnel when aircraft are experiencing flight difficulties.
• Coordinate with and issue instructions to airport vehicles and personnel.
• Maintain and disseminate records of daily operations.

Required Qualifications

• Current FAA Class II Medical Certificate (FAA Form 8500-9).
• FAA Airman Certificate with a Control Tower Operator (CTO) Rating, with at least six months of satisfactory service as a tower operator at a rated facility, or an FAA Airman Certificate with an Air Traffic Control Specialist credential and a Tower Rating held for at least six months.
• Eligibility to work under applicable federal immigration laws.
• Ability to verify education and employment references from previous employers, including the release of drug and alcohol records.
• Negative result on a pre-employment drug screen.
• Ability to obtain an interim security suitability clearance through a public trust background check.