Aviation Technical Systems Specialist

Federal Aviation Administration •

Palmdale, California, United States

Position Type: Contractor

Job Description:

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.

Duties

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.

Job Requirements:
Requirements Conditions of Employment

US Citizenship is required.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents)

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Required Documents

Only supplemental documentation, e.g. transcripts or veteran's documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded or emailed to jennifer.a.lowery@faa.gov on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.

Applicants claiming eligibility for the Expanded Veterans Hiring Opportunity (EVHO), MUST submit a DD Form 214 reflecting character of service to verify eligibility by the closing date of the announcement as requested by the Human Resource Office. Eligibility for EVHO will be considered based on applicable documentation submitted by the closing date.

If you are a current or former Federal employee (including a current FAA employee), you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.

If you are a current Federal employee and need a current copy of your SF-50, please contact your personnel office. If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/. If you are a former Federal employee, you can obtain a copy of your SF-50 by writing the National Personnel Records Center Annex, 1411 Boulder Boulevard, Valmeyer, IL 62295. Additional information is available from this link: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/civilian-personnel/.

Expanded Veterans Hiring Opportunity (EVHO) are preference eligibles and veterans who are honorably discharged from the Armed Forces after completing at least three (3) years of continuous active service. Applicants claiming eligibility for EVHO, MUST submit a DD Form 214 reflecting character of service to verify eligibility by the closing date of the announcement as requested by the Human Resource Office. Eligibility for EVHO will be considered based on applicable documentation submitted by the closing date.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Salary Range: $126,282 - $195,774

Job Ident #: 786421800

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Aviation Technical Systems Specialist

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