Summary As the ATO's centralized command and control element, JATOC helps the ATO effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from, any incident that impacts the National Airspace System (NAS). During an incident, experts from all ATO operational Service Units gather details and provide a single source of integrated information and reliable communications to ATO leadership to make critical, informed, and responsible decisions. Responsibilities This position is not covered by PL 92-267 for early retirement purposes, and is therefore, not eligible for "good time" credit. As an Air Traffic Watch Officer, this position applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control procedures and operations to serve as one of several JATOC Watch Officers who support 24/7 Watch Operations by acting as the Air Traffic Organization's (ATO) initial point of contact for all aviation incidents and events. The Watch Officer exercises command and control responsibility over information to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) leadership regarding FAA significant events. Gathers, analyzes, assesses, shares and manages incident-related information and intelligence for National Airspace System (NAS) aviation events and incidents, including natural, human-caused, and planned. This work directly affects the ATO, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aviation industry and the safety of the flying public. The Watch Officer applies comprehensive knowledge of staff programs, including traffic management, airspace and procedures, operational automation, and special and security operations to perform complex, specialized air traffic control assignments. Uses experience separating and controlling air traffic in a terminal or en route air traffic control facility to monitor and evaluate information received from JATOC ATO service unit personnel concerning incidents and events. Researches and gathers data to identifies and analyzes information to provide FAA leadership with an up-to-date picture of current incident status and its impact on NAS operations. Collaborates with all JATOC resources to organize and disseminate messages and reports. Prepares analytical reports on aviation incidents or events, consolidates information, and reports findings to senior leadership. Applies comprehensive knowledge of ATO and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs and functions to identify and route the preliminary event evaluation to the appropriate stakeholders. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities within established schedules. Conducts telephone conferences utilizing the Emergency Notification System (ENS) to inform and update FAA leadership of significant events in the NAS. Participates in regular exercises and drills conducted to ensure optimal preparedness and to test and improve the effectiveness of the ATO’s incident command system. Contacts are internal and external to the FAA. Internal contacts include representatives from other ATO Service Units and lines of business. External contacts include representatives from the aviation industry, labor organizations, and other external stakeholders. The Watch Officer often represents FAA as the senior point of contact for JATOC operations. Although broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for completing work objectives, the Watch Officer uses considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. Draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems. As an authority in air traffic operations and procedures, the Watch Officer performs most work independently, though work is subject to review by program officials and representatives of external entities for quality of results and compatibility with regional and national goals, conformance with established policies, and consonance with program objectives. The JATOC General Manager reviews daily all communication sent to ensure efficient and accurate messaging to ATO Executive Leadership. The work is typically reviewed through status reports and at completion. 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 the FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Experience separating and controlling air traffic in terminal or en route air traffic facility that identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information even when data is limited to evaluate and make well-informed, effective, and timely decisions to generate alternative solutions. Experience communicating and preparing report findings to FAA leadership, external stakeholders, labor organizations, and representatives from the aviation industry. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration. Experience in a military or civilian air traffic facility that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the level of work of the specialization for which application is made. This experience must have provided a comprehensive knowledge of appropriate air traffic control laws, rules, and regulations. You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered. Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interview or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification. *Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. * All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Education Education cannot be substituted for experience. 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. 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. As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, 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 section, 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. This Level 2 (Non-Critical Sensitive; Secret) position requires favorable adjudication of an Access National Agency Check and Inquiries (ANACI) background investigation prior to appointment unless a waiver is obtained. This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation Plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the website: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits. Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed. This is not a bargaining unit position. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA