Supervisory Air Traffic Control Specialist, Operations Supervisor

Federal Aviation Administration; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Aviation Administration in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Supervisory Air Traffic Control Specialist, Operations Supervisor to oversee terminal facility operations and provide first-line supervision to Developmental and Certified Professional Controllers.

The role emphasizes planning, directing, and coordinating air traffic control assignments, staff supervision, performance evaluation, and training alignment within the department of Transportation framework.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising a team of air traffic control professionals or similar personnel.
• Ability to plan and direct operations within delegated areas of responsibility.
• Experience evaluating performance and providing feedback to staff.
• Understanding of diversity and equal employment opportunity policies and programs.

Responsibilities

• Supervises a staff of Air Traffic Control Specialists within a geographic area.
• Plans and assigns work, sets priorities, and schedules; approves leave.
• Provides guidance, counseling, and instruction on work and administrative matters.
• Evaluates employee performance and recommends ratings.
• Addresses grievances and coordinates training needs for staff.
• Adjusts staffing and procedures to meet resource decisions; tracks area goals.
• Supports labor management partnership and reinforces EEO policies.

Skills

Staff supervision

Operational planning

Performance evaluation

Diversity & EEO policy understanding

Job description

Supervisory Air Traffic Control Specialist, Operations Supervisor

• Department: Department of Transportation

Serves as an Operations Supervisor in a terminal facility, responsible for planning and directing operations within delegated areas of responsibility. Provides first line supervision to a team of Developmental and Certified Professional Controllers.

Key Responsibilities

Supervises a staff of Air Traffic Control Specialists that is responsible for carrying out air traffic control assignments within a geographic area. Plans and assigns work to be accomplished by subordinate employees. Sets work priorities and schedules. Approves leave; gives advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Evaluates performance of employees and recommends performance ratings.

Hears and resolves complaints from employees and refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher level manager. Identifies and arranges for developmental and other training needs of employees. Finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of the work directed. Adjusts staffing levels and work procedures to accommodate resource decisions made at higher levels. Recommends goals and objectives for the area and tracks accomplishments.

Communicates and reinforces diversity and EEO policies and programs in all areas of responsibility, including selections, training, and transfers. Supports and participates in the labor management partnership process, and fosters a work environment where all employees are treated in a fair and equitable manner. The Operations Supervisor reports to the Air Traffic Manager. Performance is evaluated upon the effectiveness with which assigned program objectives are achieved.

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 $110780 – $144010/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-26.

Who is eligible to apply?

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