This is an Air Traffic Control Specialist public notice for direct hiring authority for Enhanced Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI) program graduates only, or E-CTI students who are within 12 months of graduation.
This announcement will serve as a resume repository that may be used to fill positions.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Enhanced Collegiate Training Initiative Program
The Federal Aviation Administration has partnered with colleges and universities to establish the Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative AT-CTI (E-CTI). This program establishes requirements for colleges and universities to provide equivalent curriculum and training to the FAA Academy. Successful graduates that meet all qualifications to include a well-qualified result on the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA), employment eligibilities, and pre-employment requirements such as medical screening, and security will be placed directly to Air Traffic facilities to begin on-the-job training.
These positions are responsible for controlling live air traffic in support of public safety and our national air space.
Air Traffic Control Specialists in the Terminal option control air traffic at airports and give pilots taxiing and takeoff instructions, air traffic clearances, and advice based on their own observations and information from the National Weather Service, Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), flight service stations, pilots, and other sources. They transfer control of aircraft to the ARTCC controller when the aircraft leaves assigned airspace, and they receive control of aircraft coming into assigned airspace.
Air Traffic Control Specialists in the En Route (Center) option give aircraft instructions, air traffic clearances, and advice regarding flight conditions while enroute between airports. They provide separation between aircraft flying within the Federal airways or operating into or out of airports.
This is an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) position responsible for the safe, orderly and expeditious movement of air traffic through the nation's airspace. Additional information regarding these positions is located at: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/career_fields/aviation_careers
- US Citizenship is required.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
- Medical clearance, including medical exam and psychological screening is required.
- Security clearance, Access National Agency Check (ANACI), or higher prior to enter on duty required
- Graduation from an Enhanced Collegiate Training Initiative Institution - (E-CTI)
- All applicants must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA).
- Must be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment.
E-CTI graduates/students must meet the following requirements, qualifications, and eligibilities for employment consideration:
Requirements
1. Apply to open E-CTI Public Announcement at www.usajobs.gov, and submit supporting required documents as outlined (i.e. resume, transcripts, etc.)
2.Must provide official endorsement letter of recommendation prior to employment. E-CTI Program Pre-Endorsement (if currently enrolled) and E-CTI Program Endorsement (once graduated). All applicants
3. ATSA Result – only best and well qualified results will be considered. Please contact your institution E-CTI point of contact to request to take the ATSA. Travel to & from testing locations, as well as test administration costs will be at the expense of the applicant.
Qualifications
1. One year of full-time work experience (full time defined as a 40-hour work week) or
2. A full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree or
3. Combination of experience and education or
4. Specialized air traffic experience or
5. Alternative requirements - such as an appropriate facility rating or FAA certificate as outlined below:
- a. 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. Hold or have held an FAA certificate as a dispatcher for an air carrier
- c. Hold or have held an instrument flight rating
- d. Hold or have held an FAA certificate as a navigator or have been fully qualified as a Navigator/Bombardier in the Armed Forces
- e. 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 served as a rated Aerospace Defense Command Intercept Director
Age Requirement
You must be under the age of 31 on the date of application submission. If experience was gained as a civilian ATCS with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Department of Defense (DOD), you must have been hired prior to age 31 and provide supporting documentation (copies of SF-50 personnel actions).A maximum age of 30 years is established for initial entry into air traffic control positions (2152 series) covered by Public Law 92-297.
Applicants must submit a copy of their official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours earned and/or confer date, and a copy of their "best qualified" or "well qualified" ATSA results and preendorsement or endorsement letter from the applicable E-CTI institution prior to enter on duty date (EOD).
Preview job questionnaire
Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
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/workinghere/financial-disclosure-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.
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. On-the-Spot will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.
- Applicant geographic area preferences may be used in determining facility placement offers for candidates selected. Ultimately, the type and location of positions offered to each selectee will be based upon the needs of the FAA. If you are selected for a position, you will be informed of the facility location you are being offered. Selectees will be offered a permanent appointment in the ATCS occupation at an FAA facility based on their qualifications and the needs of the agency. Appointees will have their salary set in accordance with the ATCS Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Newly hired ATCS will receive pay increases as they successfully complete the progressive phases of ATCS training at their assigned facility. It is important to note that annual salary varies greatly by facility and complexity level. ATCSs receive significant pay raises as they progress through ATCS training. On average, the salary will increase to $60,000 per year, and additional pay increases will be granted as you certify and progress at your assigned facility. Generally, most controllers are making a six-figure salary within three years. The time to reach Certified Professional Controller (CPC) or full certification and pay is approximately 2-3 years depending on the facility size, level, and complexity. Last year, the average for Certified Professional Controllers was $158,000 per year.
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our 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.
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.
Applicants must submit a copy of their official/unofficial transcripts to substantiate all credit hours earned and/or confer date, and a copy of their "best qualified" or "well qualified" ATSA results and pre endorsement or endorsement letter from the applicable E-CTI institution prior to enter on duty date (EOD).
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.
RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES. IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION.
We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
- Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week.
- Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA.
Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible. You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.
Amendment Date: 01/20/2026
Amendment Note: Amended 2026 pay information and added clarification to maximum entry age requirements and alternative qualifications.
Aviation Careers
Phone
1 (405) 954-4657
Fax
1 (405) 954-0593
Email
aviation.careers@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Careers Branch
6500 S. Macarthur Blvd, HQ Room 139
AHF-S300
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
US
Once we receive your complete 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.
For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.
Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.
All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
10/03/2025 to 10/02/2026
Salary
$47,026 to - $177,543 per year
This salary does not include the additional locality percentage, which is based on duty location assignment.
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
FAA - Air Traffic Locations
Many vacancies
Travel Required
Not required - The job does not require any travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Security clearance
Secret
Bargaining unit status
Yes - This position is represented by NATCA: Air Traffic - Center & Terminal.
Announcement number
FAA-ATO-26-PUBNOT-96438
