Comprehensive Career Overview: Air Traffic Control Specialist (HQ Quality Assurance)

The safety, efficiency, and resilience of the United States National Airspace System (NAS) rest on continuous oversight and rigorous risk mitigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently seeking a highly experienced professional to fill the position of Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) within the Safety Services Group, HQ Quality Assurance Team (AJI-1540), located in Washington, District of Columbia.

Positioned at the nexus of aviation safety policy and real-world operations, this role allows seasoned controllers and safety analysts to apply their operational expertise on a national scale. Rather than managing daily active air traffic from a tower or radar room, the specialist in this role analyzes system-wide flight data, audits air traffic operations, identifies underlying safety hazards, and formulates strategies that prevent accidents before they occur.

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About the Agency: Federal Aviation Administration

The Federal Aviation Administration operates under the United States Department of Transportation and serves as the national civil aviation authority. Overseeing an aerospace network that handles tens of thousands of flights daily, the FAA is driven by an unwavering mission: to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

With a diverse workforce of over 44,000 employees nationwide, the FAA embraces cutting-edge technology and modern aviation paradigms. From advancing research into autonomous air systems and electric vertical takeoff aircraft to managing commercial space operations, the agency offers an environment where experienced professionals can drive meaningful operational change.

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Job Responsibilities and Operational Impact

As an Air Traffic Control Specialist in the HQ Quality Assurance Team, your operational insight directly influences system-wide policy and safety performance. You will be responsible for evaluating facility operations, reviewing safety reports, and deploying data-driven risk management strategies.

Core Duties Include:

• Risk Evaluation and Trend Analysis: Combining complex air traffic data from nationwide operations to identify emerging trends, systemic vulnerabilities, and operational hazards.
• Advanced Safety Tool Utilization: Utilizing state-of-the-art performance tools such as the Comprehensive Electronic Data Analysis and Reporting system (CEDAR), FALCON replay software, and Aviation Risk Identification and Assessment (ARIA) algorithms.
• Quality Assurance Audits: Conducting technical evaluations and safety audits of both federal and non-federal air traffic facilities, equipment, and procedures.
• Policy Recommendation: Interpreting safety management policies and operational regulations to recommend actionable revisions to current FAA standards.
• Search and Rescue Oversight: Auditing search and rescue support actions to ensure adherence to established protocols.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serving as a primary point of contact and technical authority for facility managers, Quality Control Groups (QCG), and internal/external safety stakeholders.

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Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

To be considered for this competitive FV-J position, candidates must meet specific specialized experience criteria and federal employment standards.

Mandatory Qualification Standards:

1. U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must hold United States citizenship.
2. Specialized Experience: Candidates must possess at least 52 weeks (1 year) of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I or GS-13 level in the federal service. This experience must clearly demonstrate:
   • In-depth knowledge of civilian or military air traffic control laws, rules, and facility procedures.
   • Practical experience applying safety management regulations and quality control tools to mitigate operational risk.
   • Demonstrated competence in analyzing complex safety data and recommending systemic corrective actions.
3. Page Limit Constraint: Resume submissions must not exceed two (2) pages. Resumes exceeding this length or omitting key employment details (dates, hours worked, series/grade) will be disqualified.
4. Security Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a Level 2 Secret Security Clearance based on an Access National Agency Check and Inquiries (ANACI).
5. Drug Screening: Selection is contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug screening and agreeing to random drug/alcohol testing.

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Salary Overview and Compensation Structure

This position is categorized under the FAA Core Compensation Plan within the FV-J pay band. The salary range for this band spans $127,898 to $198,281 per year, depending on candidate experience, current federal pay level, and locality adjustments.

Compensation Comparison Table

Pay Band / Grade Level	Salary Range	Primary Responsibility Scope	Target Background
FV-I (GS-13 Equivalent)	~$103,409 – $134,435	Facility-level traffic management and operational supervision	Facility Supervisors & Local Safety Officers
FV-J (Current Position)	$127,898 – $198,281	HQ National Data Analytics, Quality Assurance & Policy Review	Senior Air Traffic Specialists & Safety Experts
FV-K (GS-15 Equivalent)	~$150,000 – $200,000+	Strategic program direction and executive safety leadership	Senior Program Managers & Executive Directors

Note: Pay retention rules may apply for eligible internal career progression assignees in accordance with agency policy.

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Benefits Package

FAA employees enjoy a comprehensive federal benefits package designed to support long-term physical, financial, and professional well-being:

• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive choices through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, complemented by Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP).
• Retirement & Savings: Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension combined with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), offering up to 5% agency matching contributions.
• Paid Leave: Generous accrual of annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays each calendar year.
• Work Flexibility: Telework availability subject to operational approval and agency guidance.
• Life Insurance: Coverage options through the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program.

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Application Process & Step-by-Step Instructions

To ensure your application is fully evaluated by the Human Resources Office, follow these steps meticulously:

1. Verify Internal Eligibility: Ensure you qualify under the agency's internal hiring paths.
2. Format Your Resume: Limit your resume strictly to two pages. Ensure every entry lists your official position title, federal pay series/grade (if applicable), employer name, precise start/end dates, and average hours worked per week.
3. Gather Required Documents:
   • Updated two-page federal resume.
   • Copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action). FAA employees must ensure Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 are fully legible.
4. Complete the Online Portal Submission: Access the official FAA job application portal, answer all qualification questions, attach required files, and finalize submission before 11:59 PM ET on October 28, 2026.

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Expert Resume & Application Tips

• Highlight Software Tools: Explicitly state your hands-on experience using data systems like CEDAR, FALCON, and ARIA directly in your experience descriptions.
• Integrate KSAs: The FAA no longer requires narrative responses for Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Instead, embed concrete examples proving your proficiency directly within your work history bullet points.
• Adhere to Document Limits: Do not submit supplementary cover letters or extra pages that break the strict 2-page limit.
• Check SF-50 Accuracy: Incomplete or illegible SF-50 forms are a leading cause of candidate disqualification. Verify all block numbers prior to uploading.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the closing date for this job opportunity?

A: The application window closes at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on October 28, 2026.

Q: Is education acceptable as a substitute for experience?

A: No, specialized air traffic control experience cannot be substituted with education for this position.

Q: How many vacancies are available?

A: The FAA is currently seeking to fill two (2) openings from this vacancy announcement.

Q: Where will the position be located?

A: The duty station is located at FAA Headquarters in Washington, District of Columbia.

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This Air Traffic Control Specialist role offers an exciting career pathway for experienced controllers and safety professionals looking to influence civil aviation at a national level. By utilizing top-tier data analytics tools and evaluating nationwide risk trends, you will play a central role in protecting millions of passengers in the National Airspace System. Ensure your resume meets all strict formatting guidelines and submit your application package before the October 28 deadline.