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Air Traffic Controllers - 53-2021.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS)
  • Air Traffic Controller (ATC)
  • Center Air Traffic Controller (Center ATC)
  • Certified Professional Controller (CPC)
  • Control Tower Operator
  • Enroute Air Traffic Controller (Enroute ATC)
  • Radar Air Traffic Controller
  • Terminal Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal ATC Specialist)
  • Tower Air Traffic Controller (Tower ATC)

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
  • Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.
  • Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.
  • Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations.
  • Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.
  • Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information.
  • Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
  • Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
  • Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
  • Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
  • Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
  • Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
  • Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights.
  • Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
  • Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
  • Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
  • Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
  • Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace.
  • Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
  • Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.
  • Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers.
  • Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law.
  • Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Adjust routes or speeds as necessary.
  • Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
  • Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
  • Compile operational data.
  • Coordinate flight control or management activities.
  • Direct emergency management activities.
  • Direct vehicle traffic.
  • Meet with coworkers to communicate work orders or plans.
  • Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.
  • Monitor vehicle movement or location.
  • Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.
  • Operate communications equipment or systems.
  • Plan flight operations.
  • Record operational details of travel.
  • Respond to transportation emergencies.
  • Review documents or materials for compliance with policies or regulations.
  • Train transportation or material moving personnel.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Radar Traffic Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Air Battle Manager (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Battle Manager, Air Defense (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Battle Manager, Air Liaison Officer (ALO) (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Battle Manager, AWACS (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Battle Manager, E-7 (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Battle Manager, General (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Battle Manager, JSTARS (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Battle Manager, Mobile Air Control (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Battle Manager, Other (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Battle Manager, Trainer (UABMT) (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Command and Control Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Controlman (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Air Defense Artillery Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Defense Control Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Intercept Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Air Intercept Controller Supervisor (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Air Operations Officer, Afloat (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Air Support Control Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Support Operations Operator (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic and Air Space Management Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Air Traffic Control (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control (ATC) Operator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Apprentice (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Craftsman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Helper (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Journeyman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Manager (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Manager (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Air Traffic Control Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Air Traffic Control Operator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Radar Controller (Army - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Superintendent (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Control Tower Operator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Controller (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Controller-Radar Approach Controller (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Controller-Radar Arrival/Departure Controller (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Controller-Tower (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Air Traffic Controller-Trainee (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Airfield Management (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airfield Management Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airfield Management Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airfield Management Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airfield Management Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airfield Management Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airfield Management Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airfield Operations (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, ABM (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, Airlift (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, Bomber (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, C2ISREW (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, Fighter (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, General (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, Helicopter or EWO (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, RPA (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, Special Operations (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, Tanker (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Airfield Operations, Trainer (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Amphibious Air Traffic Control Center Controllers (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Antisubmarine Air Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • AOC AADC Chief of Operations Staff Officer (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • AOC AADC Operations Staff Officer (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • AOC Airspace Control Team Member (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • AOC Combat Operations Duty Officer (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • AOC Dynamic Targeting Team Chief (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • AOC Dynamic Targeting Team Member (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • AOC Operations - Senior Offensive Duty Officer (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • AOC Personnel Recovery Coordination Team Chief (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • AOC Personnel Recovery Coordination Team Member (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • AOC Senior Air Defense Officer (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • ASW/ASUW Tactical Air Control (ASTAC) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • ASW/ASUW Tactical Air Controller (ASTAC) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • ATC Approach Control/Enroute Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • ATC Chief (Army - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Operations Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Operations Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Basic Air Control/Air Support/Antiair Warfare/Air Traffic Control Marine (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Battle Management Operations (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Battle Management Operations Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Battle Management Operations Apprentice, Weapons Director (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Battle Management Operations Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Battle Management Operations Craftsman, Weapons Director (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Battle Management Operations Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Battle Management Operations Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Battle Management Operations Journeyman, Weapons Director (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Battle Management Operations Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Battle Management Operations Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Carrier Air Traffic Control Center Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Combat Air Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Combat Control (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Combat Control Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Combat Control Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Combat Control Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Combat Control Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Combat Control Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Combat Control Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Combat Information Center Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Command and Control Operations (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Command and Control Operations Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Command and Control Operations Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Command and Control Operations Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Command and Control Operations Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Command and Control Operations Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Command and Control Operations Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Command and Control Systems Integrator (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Control Tower Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Controlled Approach Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Conversion NEC AC Air Traffic Controller Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Facility Rated Amphibious Air Traffic Control Center (AATCC) Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Facility Rated Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Facility Rated Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Facility Rated RADAR Air Traffic Control Facility (RATCF) Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Facility Rated Tactical Air Control Center (TACC) Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Facility Rated Terminal RADAR Approach (RAPCON) Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Facility Rated Terminal RADAR Approach (TRACON) Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Forward Air Controller (Airborne) Instructor (FAC(A)I) Qualification (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Forward Air Controller/Air Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Guided Missile Test Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Heavy Aircraft Integrated Avionics (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Aircraft Integrated Avionics Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Aircraft Integrated Avionics Craftsman, C4ISR Mission Systems (E-3, E-4, E-7, E-8, EC-130H, RC-135, VC-25) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Aircraft Integrated Avionics Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Aircraft Integrated Avionics Journeyman, C4ISR Mission Systems (E-3, E-4, E-7, E-8, EC-130H, RC-135, VC-25) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Intelligence Analyst (Army - Enlisted)
  • Joint Fire Support Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Joint Terminal Attack Controller (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Joint Terminal Attack Controller (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Joint Terminal Attack Controller Evaluator (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Joint Terminal Attack Controller Instructor (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • LCS-1 (Freedom Variant) and LCS-2 (Independence Variant) Operations Specialist for ASTAC/TADIL/GCCS-COP (Navy - Enlisted)
  • LCS-1 (Freedom Variant) Operations Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • LDO - Air Traffic Control (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Naval Flight Officer (NFO), FRS Basic F/A-18D Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Naval Tactical Data System--Combat Information Center Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Naval Tactical Data System--Combat Information Center Watch Officer, Carrier Controlled Approach Controller (Navy - Warrant Officer only)
  • Naval Tactical Data System--Combat Information Center Watch Officer, General (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Naval Tactical Data System-Combat Information Center Watch Officer, Carrier Controlled Approach Controller (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Navy Airspace Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Offshore Control and Surveillance System Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Operations Officer, Aviation Shore Activity (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Operations Specialist (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Operations Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Radar Air Traffic Control Center Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Rated Amphibious Air Traffic Control Center (AATCC) Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Rated Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Rated Tactical Air Traffic Control Center (TACC) Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Sea Combat Air Controller (SCAC) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Senior Air Traffic Controller (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) Training Landing Signal Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Small Unmanned Aircraft System Specialist (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Small Unmanned Aircraft System Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Warfare, Combat Rescue Officer (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Special Warfare, Special Tactics Officer (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Special Warfare, Tactical Air Control Party Officer (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Supervisory Air Intercept Controller (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Center Detachment Officer-In-Charge (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Tactical Air Control Center Watch Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Defense Controller (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Target Aircraft Controller (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • V/STOL Training Landing Signal Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Weapons and Tactics Instructor - Air Command and Control (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Weapons and Tactics Instructor-Tactical Air Control Party Program Manager (Marine Corps - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Air Traffic Controller (Military Only)

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Air-Traffic Coordinator
  • Air-Traffic-Control Specialist, Station
  • Air-Traffic-Control Specialist, Tower
  • Chief Controller
  • Dispatcher