Every minute, every hour, every day, there are men and women working to ensure the safety and efficiency of our national airspace system. It’s a tough job. Got what it takes?

This elite group of more than 14,000 FAA air traffic control specialists provide a vital public service to guide pilots, their planes and 2.2 million daily passengers from taxi to takeoff, through the air and back safely on the ground. Controllers collectively handle an average of 45,000 flights a day and, much like rush hour traffic, more than 5,000 aircraft traversing the skies at once during peak times. Focus. Concentration. Attention to detail. Quick decision making. It’s all part of the job.

Application

The FAA is advertising the Experienced Controller vacancy announcement as a Public Notice for Air Traffic Control Specialist (Direct Hire). This public notice will be open from 11/9/2024 and close on 11/7/2025. You must apply online on USAJobs to receive consideration for this position. You must submit your application by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted.

Air Traffic Control Hiring: What Goes in My Resume?

Applying to be an ATCS - Helpful Tips

I applied, now what?

This public notice will remain open from 11/13/2023 until 11/11/2024. This public notice will serve as a resume repository for the agency to review applications, throughout the open period, and contact those individuals who qualify for the position. 

Once we receive your completed application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly, if selected for an interview.
 
Applicants for this public notice must also be willing to work at any air traffic facility.

Minimum Requirements for ATCS - Trainee

• Be a United States citizen
• Be age 30 or under (on the closing date of the application period)
• Pass a medical examination
• Pass a security investigation
• Pass the FAA air traffic pre-employment test
• Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
• Have three years of progressively responsible work experience, or a Bachelor's degree, or a combination of post-secondary education and work experience that totals three years
• Be willing to relocate to an FAA facility based on agency staffing needs

Minimum Requirements for ATCS - Previous Experience

• Be a United States citizen
• Be age 35 or under (on the closing date of the application period)
• Pass a medical examination
• Pass a security investigation
• Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
• Be willing to relocate to an FAA facility based on agency staffing needs
• Have a minimum of 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic after receipt of an air traffic rating/or facility rating within five years of application while serving at one of the following:
  • a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control facility; OR
  • a civilian or military air traffic control facility of the Department of Defense, including National Guard facilities; OR
  • a tower operating under contract with the FAA under section 47124