Air Traffic Control Specialist

Summary Serves as a Certified Professional Controller (CPC) in an ATC-12 level Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.

• Open & closing dates: 09/30/2025 to 09/29/2026
• Salary: $170,395 to – $225,700 per year (includes locality pay adjustment of 30.86%)
• Pay scale & grade: AT LH
• Location:
  
  16 vacancies in Elgin, IL
• Telework eligible:
  No
• Travel required:
  
  25% or less – may require up to 25% travel
• Relocation expenses reimbursed:
  Yes – fixed relocation payment of $27,000 (subject to taxes)
• Appointment type:
  Permanent
• Work schedule:
  
  Full-time
• Service:
  Excepted, Promotion potential: NA, Job family (Series): 2152 Air Traffic Control
• Supervisory status:
  No
• Security clearance:
  Other
• Drug test:
  Yes
• Bargaining unit status:
  Yes – represented by NATCA:
  Air Traffic – Center & Terminal
• Announcement number: AGL-AT-
• Control number:

Internal to an agency:
Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency: ATO-Wide – Open to current permanent FAA employees assigned to the ATO and AMA-500 Lines of Business.

Provides radar control to aircraft arriving or departing the primary airport and adjacent airports, and to aircraft transiting the facility’s airspace. Operates radar and communication equipment to apply radar separation standards and vectoring procedures. Detects and adjusts malfunctions and interferences in the equipment. Issues speed, altitude, and directional instructions to pilots to keep aircraft properly separated. Provides air traffic advisory services to pilots including clearances to operate aircraft, weather and field conditions, and safety and traffic alerts.

Provides training to developmental air traffic controllers and other employees in the facility. Performs the technical functions associated with training, briefings, quality assurance, and the technical functions of staff support specialists.

Provides watch supervision for the continuous operation of a facility or area where a supervisor is not available.

Works under direct supervision at the outset of each new assignment. When certified on the required position(s) of operation, the CPC independently performs the described duties under general supervision.

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
• Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
• Current medical is required.

Specialized

Experience:

Must have been facility rated or area certified in an ATO terminal/en route facility.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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.(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-requirements

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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation,…