FAA Still Looking for More Controllers

Despite the FAA's early-August job-vacancy announcement seeking candidates to fill 1,400 trainee controller openings, an effort that netted the agency tens of thousands of applicants, the agency said it won't overlook another possible pool of ATC experience. The agency took the somewhat unusual step last week of publishing a job announcement specifically aimed at men and women with previous experience controlling air traffic in a tower or radar room.

Applicants might have gathered their experience in non-FAA ATC facilities, such as the military, or as technicians currently employed by any of the private ATC operators around the United States. The agency’s hiring window remains open until September 20.

This batch of experienced controllers are not restricted to the age 31 cutoff required of brand-new trainees, but must be no older than 35 when they’re officially hired. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens and agree to work in any FAA facility for which they might be selected.

This job vacancy is open to candidates who have maintained at least 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience involving the full-time, active separation of air traffic, after receipt of an ATC certification or facility rating within five years of this application. They may have obtained their experience at either an FAA air traffic control facility, a civilian or military air traffic control facility of the Department of Defense, or a tower operating under contract with the FAA under Section 47124.

The agency listed special requirements for active-duty members of the U.S. military. They must provide documentation from their service branch certifying they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty, under honorable conditions, no later than 120 days from the date that service branch’s documentation is signed.