Hiring Bid AAL-ATO-21-ALLSRCE-73575 (Flight Service)

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THIS IS FOR FLIGHT SERVICE (AFSS)​

  • This announcement is open to those applicants willing to work at any FAA FSS Air Traffic Control Facility in Alaska. Applicant geographic area preferences are for informational purposes only and may not be used in the selection process.

Overview​

  • Accepting applications
  • Open & closing dates​

    07/28/2021 to 08/04/2021
  • Service​

    Excepted
  • Pay scale & grade​

    AT AQ
  • Salary​

    $39,438 to $111,423 per year
    This salary includes 29.67% locality pay. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) authorized at 2.86% or 4.40%, based on facility assignment

  • Appointment type​

    Temporary - 13 months
  • Work schedule​

    Full-time
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Location​

Many vacancies in the following location:
  • Alaska Flight Service Stations, United States

Relocation expenses reimbursed​

No

Telework eligible​

No
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This job is open to​

Clarification from the agency​

Open to all U.S. Citizens
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Announcement number​

AAL-ATO-21-ALLSRCE-73575

Control number​

608985100
  • Duties
    Help

    Duties​

    Summary​


    Air Traffic Control Specialist Trainee for Flight Service Stations in Alaska. Alaska has the only Federal Flight Service Stations. There are numerous positions to be filled. The Flight Service Station Training Academy is located in Kenai, Alaska.

    Learn more about this agency

    Responsibilities​

    • This is a developmental Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) position responsible for providing preflight briefings and inflight assistance to pilots, requiring knowledge of the information needed to conduct safe flights. Developmental controllers receive a wide range of training in FSS processes as well as weather, communication, navigational and other equipment. As an ATCS, you will receive pay increases as you successfully complete the progressive phases (benchmarks) of controller training at your assigned facility.
    • This announcement is open to those applicants willing to work at any FAA FSS Air Traffic Control Facility in Alaska. Applicant geographic area preferences are for informational purposes only and may not be used in the selection process.
    • Prior experience or training in air traffic control is not required. If a candidate applies for and is selected under this temporary trainee announcement, all of the employment conditions associated with this AT-AQ position will apply.
    • Individuals who do not successfully complete training at the FAA Academy and all other necessary requirements will have their employment terminated.
    • As a new ATCS, you will spend your first several weeks of employment in an intensive training program. While attending academy training, you will be on a temporary appointment. Academy students receive basic air traffic control training through the FAA Academy, which includes complete occupational indoctrination including highlights of Federal employment and basic air traffic training in both a classroom and laboratory environment.
    • Upon successful completion of the FAA Academy, continued training will be held at the FAA FSS Academy in Kenai, AK. While attending academy training, you will remain on a temporary appointment. Academy students will receive basic air traffic control training that includes familiarization with the FSS organizational structure and functions, and basic air traffic training in both a classroom and laboratory environment that simulates actual FSS job functions.
    • Prior failure of FAA or FSS Academy training or prior declination of permanent facility placement offer after completing Academy training may constitute a basis for non-selection and/or veterans' preference pass over.
    • ATCS's will be paid long-term expense rate (per diem) while attending the FAA FSS Academy in Kenai, AK, to help offset daily cost of living expenses. If you are permanently assigned to the Kenai FSS, you will not receive per diem upon assignment to the FAA FSS Academy in Kenai.
    • Upon successful completion of the FAA FSS Academy initial training program & other employment requirements, newly hired ATCS's will be offered a permanent appointment at an FAA FSS facility with a basic salary of $53,296, which includes 29.67% locality pay. A cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be based on facility assignment and is subject to change. Applicants with prior ATC experience will have their salary set in accordance with the ATCS Collective Bargaining Agreement.
    • The maximum age requirement for FSS Controllers is 55. You must not have reached your 56th birthday.

    Travel Required​

    Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time- to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.

    Supervisory status​

    No

    Promotion Potential​

    NA
  • Job family (Series)​

    2152 Air Traffic Control

    Similar jobs​

  • Requirements
    Help

    Requirements​

    Conditions of Employment​

    • US Citizenship is required.
    • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
    • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
    • Position sensitivity is Moderate Risk; may be required to complete a background investigation
    • All applicants must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (AT-SA) Exam
    • Minimum qualifications required for all positions, additional eligibilities required based on Pool election
    • If eligible for Pool 1, may elect consideration for Pool 2; but not both
    • Qualifications
    ALL CANDIDATES MUST MEET ONE OF THE 5 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OUTLINED IN THIS SECTION. ADDITIONAL POOL ELIGIBILITIES ARE REQUIRED BASED ON SPECIFIC POOL ELECTION. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND CONTACT THE ALASKA HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE PRIOR TO ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSE DATE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
    You may qualify in 1 of the following 5 ways
    :
    • TO QUALIFY BASED ON PROGRESSIVELY RESPONSIBLE WORK EXPERIENCE: applicants must document 3 years of full time (40 hours per week) progressively responsible experience. Most types of paid or unpaid employment will provide progressively responsible experience as the individual doing the work learns about the organization, gains knowledge about the work, and demonstrates responsibility. OR
    • TO QUALIFY BASED UPON EDUCATION: applicants must document a full 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If qualifying based on education, applicants must submit a copy of the transcript which includes the name of the institution, quarter or semester hours earned and/or confer date. (CTI to be eligible for Pool 1, the transcript must reflect the confer date and you must also provide appropriate CTI recommendation) OR
    • TO QUALIFY BASED UPON THE COMBINATION OF BOTH WORK EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: The applicant's total qualifying experience is converted to a percentage of the experience required then the applicant's education is converted to a percentage of the education required. The combined percentages must equal 100%. At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. For example, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school. OR
    • TO QUALIFY BASED ON SPECIALIZED WORK EXPERIENCE AS AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST: applicants qualifying based on specialized experience must provide supporting documentation that verifies this requirement has been met (e.g., FAA certificate, military certificate or training record). OR
    • TO QUALIFY BASED ON ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS: applicants must provide supporting documentation that verifies at least one of the following alternative requirements being met: a. Do you hold or have held an appropriate facility rating and have actively controlled air traffic in civilian or military air traffic control terminals or centers? b. Do you hold or have held an FAA certificate as a dispatcher for an air carrier? c. Do you hold or have held an instrument flight rating? d. Do you hold or have held an FAA certificate as a navigator or have been fully qualified as a Navigator/Bombardier in the Armed Forces? e. Do you have 350 hours of flight time as a copilot or higher and hold or have held a private certificate or equivalent Armed Forces rating? f. Have you served as a rated Aerospace Defense Command Intercept Director?
    • Successful candidates must be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment.
      APPLICANT POOLS
      POOL 1 - All U.S. Citizens who also meet the following Pool 1 eligibility criteria:

      Applicants MUST meet one of the following criteria (1, 2, OR 3) listed below, and MUST provide supporting documentation (see Required Documents and Education sections) in order to be eligible for consideration in Pool 1.
      1. A graduate from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program and who has received from the institution an appropriate recommendation. MUST SUBMIT: (1) official/unofficial transcripts showing degree confer date AND (2) the appropriate recommendation letter from the school. All supporting documentation must be received prior to the close date of this vacancy.
      2. A veteran eligible for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) pursuant to section 4214 of Title 38 and can provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days from the announcement closing.
      3. An eligible veteran maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of your military experience and/or entitled to veterans' preference (must meet eligibility requirements in section 2108 of Title 5, United States Code) and can provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days from the announcement closing.
      NOTE for 2 & 3: MUST SUBMIT: DD-214 with character of service in block 24 OR written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the close date of this announcement. Applicants who are not within 120 days of separation will be assessed as non-preference eligibles.
      Please see the Required Documents section for supporting documentation requirements.
      POOL 2 - All U.S. Citizens

      Pool 2 applicants are all other U.S. Citizens not meeting the requirements for Pool 1, OR Pool 1 eligibles who elect to be considered for Pool 2.
      Pool 2 applicants do not have an option to elect to be considered for Pool 1.
      Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) eligible applicants:
    • Disabled veterans; or
    • Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; or
    • Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; or
    • Recently separated veterans (defined as; within the last 3 years).
      Veterans claiming eligibility on the basis of service in a campaign or expedition for which a medal was awarded must be in receipt of the campaign badge or medal.
      In addition to meeting the criteria above, eligible veterans must have been separated under honorable conditions (i.e., the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge). Please also see the section 'All Veterans' at the bottom of this vacancy for further documentation requirements for Veterans.
    • Entrance on Duty Requirements (EOD): If you do not complete all of the pre-employment requirements within 60 days from the date of the Clearance Instruction Letter (CIL), you will be removed from the hiring process for this vacancy. If you are a current military member in active duty service, you must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, or written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the close date of the announcement.
    • Education

    Applicants who are using education as a qualifier must submit a copy of the official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours and/or confer date.
    Applicants qualifying based on Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) education must submit a copy of the official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours and/or confer date AND an appropriate recommendation letter or endorsement certifying the individual would have met the CTI requirements in effect as of December 31, 2013 for an appropriate recommendation. ***CTI applicants: To be eligible for Pool 1, your transcripts with confer date and appropriate recommendation letter must be submitted prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement, and the confer date must be prior to announcement close date. An appropriate recommendation letter is not a personal recommendation. This letter must be on official CTI school letter head, signed by the designated CTI point of contact and certify/endorse that all CTI program requirements have been met (or would have been met effective as of 12/31/13).

    Preview Job Questionnaire
    Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

    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/working_here/financial_disclosure_requirements

    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.

    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.

    All applicants found qualified for the position will be required to complete the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (AT-SA).
    • Travel to & from testing locations will be at the expense of the applicant.
    • Most recent ATSA results will be utilized for referral, regardless if they are higher or lower than previous score.
    • Applicants may check their USAJOBS account to get updates on the status of their application after the announcement closes. Applicants who set up their USAJOBS account to provide email updates will receive an email notification with any change in status of their applications.
    • Requirement for pre-employment medical clearance: Applicants selected for ATCS positions must pass a medical examination that includes psychological screening prior to appointment. Applicants with prior military service are encouraged to obtain a sealed copy of their military medical records prior to discharge and to retain these records to be provided upon request if selected.
    • Requirement for security clearance: This position has been designated as Moderate Risk and will require a Public Trust background investigation or higher prior to appointment unless a waiver is obtained.
    • Training Requirements: After successful completion of Academy training, the ATCS will enter the appropriate phase of field training as determined by the assigned facility to prepare for advancement to the Certified Professional Controller (CPC) level. They must learn the skills needed for operation at higher levels of responsibility.
    • Successful certification at assigned FAA facility is required. Failure to certify will result in separation, demotion or reassignment.
    • Requirement for nonstandard duty hours or work week: Incumbent may be required to work irregular duty hours or a nonstandard work week or tour of duty.

    This is a bargaining unit position.

    Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA

    Read more

    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.

    Read more

    Background checks and security clearance​

    Security clearance​

    Other

    Drug test required​

    Yes

  • Required Documents
    Help

    Required Documents​

    Applicants qualifying based on education, including Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) must submit a copy of the official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours and/or confer date. CTI applicants must also submit an appropriate recommendation letter or endorsement certifying the individual would have met the CTI requirements in effect as of December 31, 2013 for an appropriate recommendation. *Please see the Education section for more information.

    Facility rating records issued by the FAA or military issued ratings and/or training records must be provided, if qualifying based on specialized experience or one of the alternative requirements.

    Applicants qualifying under VRA must provide either a DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 Copy or equivalent) OR a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty.

    All Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit either a DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 Copy or equivalent), or a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions. If you are claiming 10 point preference, you must also submit a completed SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference, and supporting documents outlined on the SF-15. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran.

    If you are claiming 10 point preference but fail to submit the supporting documents outlined on the SF-15, you will be tentatively assessed as a 5 point preference eligible provided your DD Form 214 reflects that you have the service required to qualify for preference. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran.

    Veterans currently on active duty claiming veterans' preference: You will be granted tentative preference if you submit a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions and your application shows that you have the required service. Prior to being appointed, you must provide to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office a DD Form 214 documenting discharge/release and showing that the service was honorable or general. If you are on terminal leave, you must provide documentation certifying authorized terminal leave.

    Forms:
    • SF-15 : Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference

    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.
 
Smart move putting this out just before the OTS bid. Everyone who doesn't actually read the bid will be surprised when they are sent to Alaska
Can you transfer from this to a regular ATC like FAA bid that just closed? I applied for that one but want to see if my chances are better if I apply for both. Just curious how the transition will work if I am selected for this.
 
Can you transfer from this to a regular ATC like FAA bid that just closed? I applied for that one but want to see if my chances are better if I apply for both. Just curious how the transition will work if I am selected for this.
Technically FSS is a 2152-series job and theroretically you can ERR from any FAA 2152 job to any other FAA 2152 job. In reality there has never been a case of someone successfully ERRing from FSS to actual ATC, and the union is not fighting to change that.

It may give your ATC hiring timeline a boost if you apply to FSS, go through the medical clearance and background check process, and decline the FSS TOL. But it may not, I'm not an expert.
 
Can you transfer from this to a regular ATC like FAA bid that just closed? I applied for that one but want to see if my chances are better if I apply for both. Just curious how the transition will work if I am selected for this.
If you like the idea of working in Air Traffic and being in Alaska accept this job! If you don't enjoy it long-term the only route that has worked is taking a year off from the FAA and applying OTS 'transition' if you like to call it that
 
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Technically FSS is a 2152-series job and theroretically you can ERR from any FAA 2152 job to any other FAA 2152 job. In reality there has never been a case of someone successfully ERRing from FSS to actual ATC, and the union is not fighting to change that.

It may give your ATC hiring timeline a boost if you apply to FSS, go through the medical clearance and background check process, and decline the FSS TOL. But it may not, I'm not an expert.
Been mentioned before but to reiterate, while this is also a 2152 position there are not numbers published on open/filled spots at the FSS sites. As such you can't apply to transfer ERR yet; but, also can't apply OTS. You would already be an FAA 2152 employee working the FSS job. Fun loophole that hasn't been closed from what I've read so far.

If you like the idea of working in Air Traffic and being in Alaska accept this job! If you don't enjoy it long-term the only route that has worked is taking a year off from the FAA and applying OTS 'transition' if you like to call it that
So should I even worry applying to both if I can't transfer later down the road from Alaska? Hypothetically speaking, let's say I apply to both. OTS 2021 bid get ATSA and fail it. End up getting FSS job and want to transfer. Is there really no other way to transfer once you are in FAA? I guess I'm a little confused on why wouldn't you be able to.
 
So should I even worry applying to both if I can't transfer later down the road from Alaska? Hypothetically speaking, let's say I apply to both. OTS 2021 bid get ATSA and fail it. End up getting FSS job and want to transfer. Is there really no other way to transfer once you are in FAA? I guess I'm a little confused on why wouldn't you be able to.
No, if you are in as a 2152 Flight Service you can not transfer to 2152 ATC. Why? Because NATCA said so.
 
Smart move putting this out just before the OTS bid. Everyone who doesn't actually read the bid will be surprised when they are sent to Alaska
You laugh, but I've seen this happen...

And please, send them anyway. We need bodies.

For anyone actually interested, the lack of transfer opportunities to towers/centers is a big downside if thats your plan, but otherwise its a sweet gig. Alaska isn't for everyone but I really enjoy it.
 
You laugh, but I've seen this happen...

And please, send them anyway. We need bodies.

For anyone actually interested, the lack of transfer opportunities to towers/centers is a big downside if thats your plan, but otherwise its a sweet gig. Alaska isn't for everyone but I really enjoy it.
How many you think they are hiring for this bid?
 
If you like the idea of working in Air Traffic and being in Alaska accept this job! If you don't enjoy it long-term the only route that has worked is taking a year off from the FAA and applying OTS 'transition' if you like to call it that
Why would you have to take a year off to apply to an OTS bid?
 
Does anyone know if you can transfer ATSA score from FSS bid to OTS bid? Or would you have to have ATSA tests for both? I read that some people were able to transfer they medical and clearance for bids.
 
Was reading a thread from someone on reddit who tried applying to the OTS ATO bid and got emailed saying they're currently an FAA controller. A reply to them said (sic) I took some time off moving back home before applying to the prior experience bid after 12 months. So I'm just getting that 'wait a year' from someone else's comment :bow: you'd know better than I! Probably don't have to wait any time thats just one persons choice
 
I feel like I am one of the rare few, at least on here, who would rather be picked for flight services if I had to choose ?. I feel like Alaska would be quite the adventure so crossing my fingers and good luck to everyone!
 
I feel like I am one of the rare few, at least on here, who would rather be picked for flight services if I had to choose ?. I feel like Alaska would be quite the adventure so crossing my fingers and good luck to everyone!
I prefer Alaska FSS too. ? Best of luck to you!
 
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