Summary Position is an Air Traffic Assistant/Flight Data Communications Specialist (FDCS) at an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and is responsible for providing flight data processing and communications service for the National Airspace System (NAS). Responsibilities Performs a combination of routine, multiple, and varying specialized flight data assignments and provides support to complex air traffic control facilities under the general direction of a manager and/or team leader. Acts as an individual contributor in assigned area of expertise on broad work activities and/or may be individually responsible for projects. Applies experience and detailed knowledge of air traffic control, flight data procedures and operations. Contributes directly to the success of regional or national programs of the integrated National Airspace System (NAS), as well as research and development efforts. Relays instrument flight rules (IFR) departure clearances including clearance and control information, for satellite, uncontrolled airports and temporary military/civilian airports and special events operations. Relays cancellation of flight plans for satellite or uncontrolled airports to approach controls and ARTCCs. Supports large scale military exercises and military alert responsibilities by entering flight plans, notification procedures, and airspace configuration commands into the NAS. Responsible for the coordination and approval of airspace requests from military units. Tracks all requests and approvals. Disseminates data to the appropriate air traffic sectors within the operational computer systems. Processes and monitors the input of proposed and active flight plans for ARTCC, terminal facilities, flight service stations, general aviation, and air carrier operations. At the request of Air Traffic Operations Manager in Charge (OMIC), assists with search and rescue efforts including pilot contact information, Information Requests (INREQs, and Alerts Notices (ALNOTs). Provides manual flight plan processing and coordination during Canadian Automated Air Traffic System (CAATS)/ERAM equipment failures. Recognizes incorrect flight plan entries into the NAS and enters corrections as required. Amends proposed flight plans when requested by the flight crew, dispatch operations, Leidos Flight Service, or other air traffic facilities. Monitors ERAM for duplicate flight plans and takes appropriate action. Responsible for ensuring the information in controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) is current. This includes updating the Blocked List by either adding or deleting aircraft from both the history or query lists. Monitors flights crossing international control boundaries and corrects information to allow processing of flight plan information to and from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) partners. Utilizes Traffic Situation Display (TSD)/Departure List Program to aid in processing departure information. Receives, acknowledges and/or transmits ICAO alert messages which include the following: Uncertainty phase (INCERFA), Alert phase (ALERFA) and Distress message (DISTRESFA). Assigns a Departure Transition Area (DTA) to a flight plan when advised by Air Traffic that the flight plan is missing a DTA, the aircraft does not have over water equipment, or the aircraft filed a flight plan from departure airport to destination airport. Responsible for filing Flight Restrictive Zones (FRZ) flight plans and Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) flight plans in and out of national defense airspace in the Washington D.C. area. Configures airspace for all appropriate air traffic facilities when they open and close, or when a situation arises that requires the airspace to be reconfigured. Serves as the focal point for weather dissemination which includes receiving and analyzing Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMETs), Air Mission Meteorological Information (AIRMETs), Center Weather Advisories (CWAs), Routine/Urgent Pilot Reports (PIREPs) and distributes the data to operations and NAS users. 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 (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (FV-E or FG/GS-5/6). 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 described as knowledge of and skill in the use of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control procedures. Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in work such as: 1. Civilian or military aircraft operations work, such as flight instructor, instrument rated pilot, flight engineer, or air transport pilot; 2. FAA Certified Dispatcher for an air carrier; 3. Flight Information Expediter involved in determining flight times of airplanes and transmitting information to flight operations and command centers; 4. Civilian or Military Air Traffic Controller; 5. Flight Data Processor; OR Successful completion of an FAA or Military Air Traffic Control Training Program; OR Possession of an FAA Control Tower Operator certificate. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Education DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES CONTINUED: Monitors and updates Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) and Surface Weather Observation Stations (AWOS) information in ERAM and AIS-R. Coordinates outages with technicians. Acts as backup for Meteorological Aerodrome Reports (METAR)/PIREP data for underlying terminal/approach control facilities. Receives, reviews and disseminates General Notices (GENOTs), Information Requests (INREQs), Alert Notices (ALNOTs), Circuit Notices (CIRNOTs) and Altitude Reservations (ALTRVs). Formats and inputs Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) into the NOT AM Entry System (NES) as required. Receives and analyzes TFRs submitted by government agencies and third-party customers to ensure accuracy prior to forwarding to the US NOT AM Office (USNOF). Coordinates USNOF approved TFRs with appropriate airport management, military, and any affected third-party groups. Verifies and manually enters Canadian NOTAMs. Receives, reviews, disseminates and logs newly issued and canceled FDC NOTAMs for interim IFR flight procedures (ODP, SIAP, SID, and STAR, charting changes) and Temporary Flight Restrictions (Presidential, disaster/hazard areas, aerial demonstrations, hijacking) for facility operational areas and underlying ATC facilities in accordance with FAA and local orders. Receives, reviews, and disseminates D NOTAMs to underlying or adjacent facilities which may include runway closures, field condition reports and airspace/obstruction NOT AM information. Provides backup D NOT AM coordination for designated alternate flight data units ensuring a seamless transition of NOT AM coordination when the primary flight data unit is unable to provide the service. Oversees the coordination of the daily planned NAVAID/frequency outages, which includes tracking the start and end time of the outages. Maintains facility logs and archives as required. May assist in training others in the performance of flight data and data communications system functional responsibilities, including the use of equipment and local standard operating procedures. May serve as a contact for ARTCC national security messages and may be designated as Alternate COMSEC Responsible Officer (ACRO) and/or Alternate Classified Information Security Manager (ACISM). May serve as a Trusted Agent for the Department of Homeland Security (OHS) to FAA ARTCCs and or other agencies when needed. Contacts are both internal and external. Internal contacts are managers and other employees to share information, coordinate efforts, discuss the status of assignments and identify resources needed to complete assignments. External contacts include members of the aviation community including pilots, air traffic controllers, flight service specialists, dispatchers, and weather unit personnel to relay information. Demonstrates some independence in planning time but frequently coordinates with a manager and/or team leader or more experienced employee. Work is reviewed during major stages to ensure timeliness and alignment with requirements of projects and/or work activities. Performs other related duties as assigned. 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 person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. Incomplete Applications: Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Your application/resume MUST have your official title, grade and series on your work history. Salary will be set in accordance with the NAGE (SEIU) Consolidated Bargaining Contact. INTERVIEWS: If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
