Air Traffic Controllers

After becoming a controller, those who do particularly well may reach the supervisor or manager level. Many others advance to positions with even more air control responsibilities, and some might move into the top administrative jobs within the FAA. Competitive civil service status can be earned after one year on the job, and career status is earned after the satisfactory completion of three years of work in the area.

The responsibilities of airport control specialists and en route control specialists become more complex with each successive promotion. Controller trainees generally begin at the FG-1 level and advance by completing certification requirements for the different air traffic control specialists (FAA is not governed by the General Schedule pay system). New hires at an airport control tower usually begin by communicating flight data and airport conditions to pilots before progressing through the ranks of the ground controller, local controller, departure controller, and arrival controller. At an en route center, trainees begin by processing flight plans, then advance to become radar associate controllers, and, finally, radar controllers.

After becoming fully qualified, controllers who exhibit strong management, organizational, and job skills may advance to become area supervisors and managers and control tower or flight service station managers. Employees in the higher grades may be responsible for several different areas, including coordinating traffic control activities within the control area, supervising and training en route traffic controllers or airport traffic controllers in lower positions, and managing workers in various aeronautical agencies. These positions generally become available after three to five years of fully qualified service.