Summary The Airway Transportation Systems Specialists (ATSS) at this level is recognized as the subject matter expert in their field. All duties of an ATSS are tied to maintaining safe and efficient operating capacity of the vast and complex network of electronics systems required for the world's largest air traffic control and navigation system. ATSS personnel install, evaluate, maintain, modify and certify facilities, services and equipment that support the National Airspace System (NAS). Responsibilities Serves as an ATSS (NAS Technical Evaluation Program Evaluator) in the NAS Technical Evaluation Program (NASTEP), responsible for performing a variety of functions directly related to the operation of the NAS. Recognized as a principal technical specialist on legacy and newly developed systems within a large facility or multiple facilities over a large geographical area. Responsible for the planning, directing, coordinating, monitoring, and maintenance activities associated with the management of assigned NAS systems/facilities. Performs work of broad scope and complexity with a high degree of independence. Applies broad experience and comprehensive technical knowledge to maintain and protect the integrity and safety of all components and systems for the NAS service delivery. Provides the highest organization level of technical support associated with analyzing, developing, installing, repairing, fabricating, maintaining, modifying, or evaluating the most complex systems for which the FAA is responsible. Plans, coordinates and performs work with a high degree of independence, keeping the supervisor advised only of the most critical issues. Resolves unique technical problems without managerial intervention, providing coordination and suggestion solutions. Maintains situational awareness of the NAS. Comprehends FAA Orders, FAA Directives, Technical Instruction books, and other source material for the NASTEP systems/subsystems/equipment or services. Rapidly analyzes and seeks resolution to problems as they arise, and makes adjustments as necessary to deal with system outages and network performance deterioration. Provides guidance and assistance to team members to resolve equipment/systems problems. Disseminates operational information to team members. Advises team of any problems or potential problems that affect systems or services resulting from the NASTEP evaluation. Practices Risk Management during evaluation activities, taking into account the availability of back-up systems, possible reconfigurations to minimize service interruptions, and the relative criticality of particular functions to the safe and efficient operation of the NAS. Documents maintenance processes, reviews evaluation findings, and provides immediate feedback. Generate reports and ,tracks issues to closure. Provide presentations to varying audiences. Analyzes system performance data from various sources such as maintenance logs, Electronic Technical Performance Records (eTPRs), Flight Inspection reports, Technical Reference Data and input from users. Utilizes metrics and statistics to provide trend analysis on NAS systems and processes. Receives general program assignments from a supervisor or higher level manager. Assignments are stated in terms of priorities, overall objectives, and boundaries. Completed assignments are considered technically authoritative and are reviewed only for general compHance with organizational objectives. Identifies resources needed to perform assignments. Organizes and assigns resources needed to accomplish large work activities within established schedules. Work is reviewed for compliance with established policies and sound technical and programmatic judgement. Performs other duties as assigned. Incumbent must possess a valid driver's license Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications To qualify for this position candidates must show experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility that demonstrates an extensive knowledge of and experience in technology system interrelationships, and management of civilian or military automated aviation, navigation and electronics systems. Generally, experience at the next lower level, pay band H/level III or equivalent, meets the minimum qualifications for this position as long as the experience supports the DEMONSTRATED ABILITIES identified below. In addition to your resume, in the space provided under each Demonstrated Ability, you MUST provide a NARRATIVE justification on how you meet the this ability. The justification should be clear and concise, providing a description of your education, training, and experience that would describe the degree to which you possess each Demonstrated Ability listed below. Eligible candidates may be ranked based on demonstrated abilities. For assistance in responding to each of the Demonstrated Abilities "things to consider"/instructions have been provided for each of the demonstrated abilities at: https://employees.faa.gov/org/staffoffices/ahr/program\_policies/policy\_guidance/hr\_policies/media/AppendixVPromotionCriteria.pdf Specialized experience includes completion of equipment specific training and demonstrated field experience in maintaining and certifying facility types identified in FAA Order 6040.6 (Appendix H, par. 2b (2); a working knowledge and experience in applying the guidance of current FAA Orders 6000.15, 6040.15, 6032.1 and all associated appendices by having performed maintenance logging activities to include facility/service interrupt coordination, corrective maintenance activities, periodic maintenance scheduling and completion activities and modification completions for FAA facilities. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Demonstrated Abilities, listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In addition to the minimum qualifications, the following has been determined to be a selective factor for this position. This means possession of this criterion is part of the minimum qualifications and is essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Applicants who do not possess this criterion are ineligible for further consideration. Qualified candidates must meet the following Selective Placement Factor as determined by responses to the “Other Factors”: New evaluators must meet the evaluator qualifications outlined in FAA Order 6040.6, Appendix H, a. General: All full-time evaluators must meet the general requirement to be on a routine evaluation team. The evaluator must have a working knowledge and experience in applying the guidance in order 6000.15, General Maintenance Handbook; Order 6032.1, National Airspace System Modification Program; Order 6040.15, National Airspace Performance Reporting System (NAPRS) and NAPRS Desk Guides; and Order 6040.6 National Airspace System (NAS) Technical Evaluation Program (NASTEP). The evaluator must, at least annually, participate in at least one of the following: 1) Attend a NASTEP Program / policy discussion or conference as documented by the National Program Office (NPO) 2) Performed maintenance / certification on a NAS facility assigned to me, with logging authority and credential; (For new evaluators coming from a maintenance position in the field). 3) Be assigned by the FPO and NPO as the national lead for one of the four discipline teams and lead at least 2 telecons in the past year. 4) Instructor for Core NAS Policy Compliance (CNPC) or other maintenance policy training / seminar. (At least 6 work days per year). 5) Subject matter expert on a TOT development team or policy writing / comment resolution team (At least 6 work days per year). AND b. Meet the requirements for two disciplines: Communications and NavAids. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Education No Positive Education Requirement. Depending on duty location, the org and locality will be assigned after the selection. 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. Supervisor Endorsement. If your selection for this position would be considered a promotion then a supervisory statement endorsing your candidacy is required by the closing date of this announcement. As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, 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, 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. If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed. Equal or lower pay band/level applications will be accepted. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA