Airway Transportation System Specialist (NAS Operations Manager (SOC NOM)

Federal Aviation Administration; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Aviation Administration in the Chicago area is hiring an Airway Transportation System Specialist (NAS Operations Manager SOC NOM). You will serve as the principal technical expert for NAS operation improvements and lead large, complex projects to maintain safe and efficient air traffic operations.

You will coordinate with multiple aviation entities, develop project plans, manage resources, and implement procedures to minimize disruption during emergencies.

Qualifications

• Principal technical expert for NAS operational systems.
• Senior project manager or team leader for large, complex work activities.
• FAA as a senior technical authority for major Agency activities.

Responsibilities

• The incumbent is recognized as the principal technical expert for development of workable solutions for any unanticipated situations adversely affecting operationally critical systems of the NAS.
• Serves as senior project manager or team leader for large, challenging and complex work activities.
• Represents the FAA as a senior technical authority for major Agency activities, emerging technologies and customer concerns.
• Establishes and manages program goals and objectives and formulates project plans; develops, interprets, recommends changes, and has broad discretion to insure compliance with Organizational objectives and policies; identifies, procures, distributes, and tracks resources needed to accomplish large work activities.
• Works with customers at high internal and external organization levels to the FAA to resolve complex issues to insure the integrity of the NAS.
• Coordinates with multiple air traffic entities to shut down and restore facilities, systems, and services to prevent activities from disrupting air traffic operations.
• Quickly resolves restoration problems with minimal impact to the NAS. Performs work providing Agency-wide leadership for highly complex and challenging technical activities.

Job description

Airway Transportation System Specialist (NAS Operations Manager (SOC NOM))

• Department: Department of Transportation

Serves as a SOC NOM for the Chicago TRACON SOC (WCN11-C90)

Key Responsibilities

The incumbent is recognized as the principal technical expert for development of workable solutions for any unanticipated situations adversely affecting operationally critical systems of the NAS. Serves as senior project manager or team leader for large, challenging and complex work activities. Represents the FAA as a senior technical authority for major Agency activities, emerging technologies and customer concerns.

Responsible for establishing and managing program goals and objectives and formulating project plans; develops, interprets, recommends changes, and has broad discretion to insure compliance with Organizational objectives and policies; identifies, procures, distributes, and tracks resources needed to accomplish large work activities. Works with customers at high internal and external organization levels to the FAA to resolve complex issues to insure the integrity of the NAS.

Coordinates with multiple air traffic entities to shut down and restore facilities, systems, and services to prevent activities from disrupting air traffic operations. Quickly resolves restoration problems with minimal impact to the NAS. Performs work providing Agency-wide leadership for highly complex and challenging technical activities. This may be accomplished using innovative concepts and approaches for problems that have resisted earlier efforts at resolution.

Maintains authority to commit the necessary resources to accomplish the agency's mission. Develops innovative approaches to attain Organizational objectives and optimize the use of resources. Works independently, monitors and evaluates trend data on a nationwide basis to develop workable solutions for sustaining the NAS. Keeps abreast of changes in technology and the new systems coming on-line.

Provides recommendations to senior level managers for enhancement of systems and air traffic operations. Formulates Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) for local use, dealing with Emergency and Safety situations at assigned facilities. Incumbent has the authoritative responsibility for timely upward reporting of NAS information that could have an impact to operations for purposes of Situation Awareness (i.e. NOTAM, SAL Paging function).

Understands the current state and dynamics of local operations and being able to anticipate future changes and developments. Integrates Operational Risk Management (ORM) into restoration, schedule maintenance activities, and all planned projects, ensuring that all customers and users of services are included and involved in ORM implementation and planning. Incumbent is management's representative during non-administrative hours.

Formulates and recommends Organizational positions on major Agency activities to senior managers. Technical decisions are considered authoritative in his/her area of expertise. Is considered a technical expert within the FAA for an assigned system or specialty area. Work directly supports the objectives of the agency and the safe and continual operation of the NAS. Contacts are both internal and external.

Formulates and recommends organizational positions on major agency assignments to senior managers. Represents the FAA as a senior technical authority for major projects and programs. Works independently. Has broad discretion to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and policies. Develops innovative approaches to attain organizational objectives and optimizes the use of resources. Identifies the resources needed to accomplish large works activities.

Provides exert guidance and instruction to address diverse, complex issues that often cross multiple projects, programs, or functional areas. Develops plans, techniques, and policies to address current or anticipated problems and issues. Work is typically reviews for success in achieving desired results. Performs other duties as assigned.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $124957 – 193721/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-17.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.