Aviation Technical Systems Specialist

Summary The Aviation Technical Systems Specialist provides critical aviation related services at one of the En-Route Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) or four offshore Oceanic sites. The Specialist serves as the automation expert, technical coordinator, team lead and advisor and works directly with National Airspace System (NAS) real-time air traffic control systems. Responsibilities The Aviation Technical Systems Specialist is responsible for applying technical air traffic expertise and technical automation knowledge to resolve hardware and software problems, create and maintain adaptation databases and provide direct support to air traffic operations. The incumbent will apply experience and comprehensive technical knowledge of NAS equipment, procedures, and safety interventions, including their interrelatedness and functions, in order to design, develop, modify, and evaluate the NAS. Leads interdisciplinary technical teams which design, develop, modify or evaluate the NAS. Applies multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary scientific principles, qualitative methods, and modeling to study and analyze complex NAS systems and programs to provide advice and insight about the probable effects of alternative courses of action in the acquisition, management, and deployment of major aviation related systems or programs. The Specialist serves as a principal technical specialist on a team member and is responsible for conducting research and analysis of all facets of the automation systems related to Air Traffic Control (ATC) activities within the facility. This position performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager, project manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. Typical duties include (1) leading research to identify, analyze, and resolve complex operational automation discrepancies, (2) ensuring the adequacy of automation support based on an in-depth knowledge of air traffic control procedures and a general knowledge of facility traffic flows, (3) develops, maintains, tests, and modifies adaptation databases to ensure that maximum effectiveness is achieved and that data is processed in a precise and timely manner including safety critical system functions (e.g. MSAW/ CA), (4) coordinating with staff at local and other air traffic facilities regarding automation decisions and activities that affect operations. The Specialist resolves all but unique technical problems that could cause an operational impact to current and future NAS systems, without the intervention of management or higher level technical specialist. Works continuously with second level engineering personnel and appropriate levels of management as a liaison and to provide guidance with respect to national system planning, configuration management, and technological considerations and adaptations that have a major impact on air traffic and the NAS systems. The Specialist leads, and participates on, special project teams to evaluate the effectiveness of aviation and automation services. Plays a lead role in drafting, reviewing, and editing reports for final approval prior to external distribution. Provides verbal and written activity reports detailing the progress and status of assigned tasks and/or team projects to diverse levels of management. Initiates correspondence and documentation and related tasks in direct support of the air traffic operations. Provides technical assistance to operational personnel for the resolution of aviation system malfunctions. Applies experience and comprehensive technical knowledge, as well as an understanding of new technologies and methodologies, to solve complex problems and develop improved technical processes and/or systems. Considers the objectives of the major subdivision and Line of Business (LOB) when developing, integrating, and implementing solutions to diverse, complex problems. Assignments frequently require knowledge and experience working across functional and/or organizational lines. Contacts are internal and external. The Specialist communicates with Technical Operations, Air Traffic, Military, Second Level Engineering, and with other Field Specialists across the CONUS to monitor second level engineering support activities and software and adaptation requirements. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is: Experience leading technical teams in the design, development, and modification of the NAS, in addition to leading the research activities to identify, analyze, and resolve operational automation discrepancies. Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed. If the selection list is shortened to a best qualified list through a comparative process, then the best qualified list shall be considered to be the selection list. Education Additional Information We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family. As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA. In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the KSAs listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration. Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA