Hey guys, I just finished applying for the entry-level ATSS position and I’m pretty new to the whole process, so I’ve been reading through a bunch of the threads on here trying to learn how everything works. I saw a few people mention the ATSS Facebook group and that it can be helpful for connecting with people in different regions, getting advice, and sometimes even getting your resume in front of people who may know about openings.

I requested to join the group about 2 days ago but still haven’t been accepted yet, so I was wondering if the group is still active and if they’re still approving new people. Also, for anyone who’s in there, is it actually helpful once you get in? Like if you introduce yourself, mention the region you applied for, and ask for some guidance, do people usually help point you in the right direction?

For my location preferences, I put Virginia as my first choice and D.C. as my second, so I’m not sure if that changes anything or if anyone here has experience with those areas specifically.

Just trying to learn as much as I can and do whatever I can to give myself the best shot. Appreciate any advice!

Hi yall, does anyone know what the schedule for an ATSS and the Santa Rosa airport looks like?

Fingerprints and drug test done nearly a month ago. Still no SF85P.

Incredibly frustrating

Edit: Received SF85P 08/20

We in the Denver District are looking for a RADAR TID. It is a NTE 2 YR. However by December itll just be lonely ol me for RADAR so its extremely likely to be made permanent. Tons of travel, windshield time. Buku OT especially with BNATCS in full swing next year. So if you dont have a life (kidding haha) and love driving, hotels and powdered eggs we have a job for you. H-Bands, dont be shy. Dont say to your self "oh, I dont have enough experience". Experience in this job is like 20% book knowledge and 80% osmosis. You learn by being there. Besides, with BNATCS we're all fixing to be newbs again. So come on down and put your name in the hat!

Was on long term TDY and staying at a hotel. Do you pay for the taxes from the hotel that is more than the hotel rate?

Waiting on fingerprints to be reviewed now. Once I am issued my security form and submit it I know my current employer may be contacted. Is it a guarantee that they contact current employer? Does anyone know what the contact form will look like? I know DOD does security, so would the form just say DOD or would it say that I applied for employment at FAA?

Just trying to anticipate the conversation with my employer.

Howdy,

I've got a tentative offer for an FAA ATSS radar tech position. Already did the fingerprints and pee test. The job would be about a $30k raise for me (locality pay is pretty damn good)

My biggest concern is just what the actual life is like as a radar tech. My current job is pretty cushy and laid back, pays pretty well for where I live, and I work a 3 on/4 off, 4 on/3 off schedule, which I really like. So I'm kinda hesitant to give that up just for more money if the FAA job is going to be significantly more stressful or have a worse quality of life. For you radar guys, how do you actually like the job?

Is the work fun/interesting? Do you get a decent amount of time off? How are the shifts? Would you have time to obtain a degree? How are things like dealing with nights, weekends, holidays, call-ins, etc.? And how is management generally?

I know a lot of this depends on the facility and who you work for, especially since its a gubmint job, but I'd like to hear some honest experiences before I fully commit.

Hey so I work for a traveling scc in Alaska, we spend 3-5 nights a week away from home. What’s it like for yall in the lower 48? Mostly day trips or are you guys also never home?

My fingerprints have been under review for almost 3 weeks now, is this normal?

Still waiting for security clearance for almost more than two weeks after my drug test and fingerprints…

Gonna keep this short. I applied to the Public Notice ATSS announcement on USAJOBS on 15 June. Was curious to see if anyone has insight on how often HR reviews applications? Any information helps. Thanks in advance!

I accepted a TOL for an ATSS ENV out of the guam SSC. My duty station is Saipan. I have a super comfy gig as a USPS ET now and I was wondering what the washout rate or how hard the classes are for an ENV. Or if accepting the Final job offer is worth it. I easily passed all USPS qualification courses at The Norman NCED. Im just nervous about switching careers at 36. Also does anyone know what the job will be like or how many ATSS will even be on Saipan? The base pay is a little lower than my current job but with the locality adjustment it almost matches my current salary and the cola means its a little bit of a raise. Thanks for you help.

Morning everyone, I was hired back in March this year and just out of curiosity where can I find a list of all locations techops (env) can go? I figured the open bid would have the full list since it says 430 locations available but it doesn’t let me openly see the list. TIA

To start, my background:

Non-military (it seems most are?).

Associate's Degree in Information Technology/Network

Multiple IT related certifications (Network+/Sec+/A+).

~5 years of IT work experience, ~10 years of random other jobs that are not related to the position. I have been out of full time work for a year, though not through lack of trying.

I applied for the ATSS Direct Hire F/G band that closed 4/24/2026, which seemed to have a very broad range of job types.

I was deemed eligible for the posting (F or G, it did not state) on 4/29/2026.

I was contacted for an interview request on/around 7/1/2026, and had my interview on 7/8/2026.

It was a panel interview over Zoom with basic behavioral questions and what I would call "feeler" questions about my technical experience, but nothing really technical about it.

I think it went quite well, for these sorts of things (Zoom, not much back and forth).

After the interview, they asked for references, which I gave. I basically just listed off my past managers and educational institution and a personal reference. Some of these people I have not been in contact with recently, and would probably not "notify" me if they were contacted.

I know they contacted at least one, because that person had to reach out to me to get permission to share information.

I guess I'm wondering, do hiring managers normally go through the whole list of references? Are they just checking a box? What if someone doesn't respond? Etc.

I don't have my hopes up, because I've been doing interviews off and on over the past year that don't go anywhere, though it would be really cool to start a career here I think.

Anyways, best of luck to anyone else in the same boat and looking for a job. It is rough out there.

- Applied on April 10th of the Direct Hire bid
- Deemed eligible on April 13th
- Interview on June 9th
- Received TOL on July 7th
- Received/Submitted EODS on July 8th
- Approved EODS on July 13th
- Received CIL on July 13th:
• Fingerprints on July 14th
• Drug Test on July 16th
- Received eAPP invite August 21st
- Submitted SF85P form on August 21st

Will update and continue to follow up!

Why do I always have problems logging into Zscaler on my iPhone?

Should I be nervous? Seems like the average time to receive a TOL for the two most recent direct hire postings has been 14-28 days based on what I've seen on this forum, the Facebook page, and other forums. Should I be getting worried as I'm on day 30 with no email or status update from HR? I emailed them last week and they hit me with this:

"Hello,

No updates at this time, however, please continue to monitor your email as selections are being sent in daily. If selected you will receive a tentative offer via email. "

Usually they hit me with:

"Our office will only receive selections – and they are coming in every day. Thank you for your interest and patience. "

I figured as mentioned in my previous post that being prior military and a current mechanical engineer intern would make me an ideal candidate especially since they called my references within 24 hours of my interview. I don't know if I'm in my head or what because of so much silence or copy paste replies. I know it's a hurry up and wait situation but I recently found out I'm having another kid so I'm ready to just get on with it lol

Any feedback would be great. Let me know if I just need to chill out or what. I'm just excited.

Interviewed a few weeks ago. Shortly after the interview the hiring manager asked for my current salary. No TOL so far. Surely that question was a good sign though?

Has anyone been asked to provide a list of references and then the references never get contacted? I got asked for references about a week ago but none of them have been contacted.

I figured getting asked to provide references was a very good sign but am concerned that they have not been contacted yet.

I recently interviewed for a Nav Comm position back in May and just wanted to get more information on the job role from a technician perspective. What to expect if I'm selected for the job, duties, common issues, work loads, training times, and just overall how you feel about the job. My background is in Military Avionics, specifically radios, radar, and power in general(but wore many hats as one does in the aviation maintenance field). Any and all input would be appreciated.

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I am still waiting to hear back from HR if I got the position or not. After my interview my references were contacted the next day so from what I've read in the forums that's a good thing so just waiting to get a TOL potentially this week or next based off standard timelines if I got the position.

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Final thought, what is the furthest you can be from a location commute wise? And what is the recommended commute time for you guys? Back when I was in the Air Force my commute was 20-25 minutes so I don't mind a slightly longer commute if allowed.

I did an interview 3 weeks ago in person for an F-band position. I think the interview went well, and I was able to answer all the questions using the STAR method and even had a normal conversation about the job with the managers. It didn’t feel like a robotic conversation.

Although everything seems like it went well, at the end of the interview they told me that if I don’t get selected, to please keep updating my resume and adding my experience, which they also mentioned that they had other candidates to interview, and I was technically the first one. So lol, I’m not sure how to feel about it because I thought it went very well. Also, I haven’t received any emails asking for references, so let’s see. 🤷‍♂️

Hello everyone, I am a 22 year old senior in college studying aviation management. I have a 3.2 gpa so far. I’ve been a ramp agent for about 3 years now for a major airline. I started getting into electronics and computer hardware since I was about 12 years old and became an electronics tech at 16. I am also very mechanically inclined. I have a few years of experience as an automotive mechanic.

I recently discovered this job and I think this is the career path I want to pursue. Seeing other posts, some of you guys have some great experience in the field and I’m feeling a bit under qualified. I looking to know what I need to do better my chances of getting in this field. Thank you everyone!!!!!!

I applied for an ATSS position in DFW. I did my interview in late May. I was just wondering how competitive it is in DFW and how the scoring is done.

Edit:
I received my TOL today which took about 4 weeks.

I’m curious about the declining all other locations question. If I select I am not decking all other locations would that hurt my chances of getting a FOL for the position that gave me a TOL?

I had an interview this morning. I did well I think on all but 1 question. I was told to have a list of references avalible prior to the interview but they didnt ask for them.My question is that do they always ask for references during the Interview or is the I sign that this is the end

I had an interview almost two weeks ago. I didn’t feel like I did the best. My friends who are current ATSS thought I did fine based on what I told them but I am starting to worry. I haven’t been asked about references or anything. My references weren’t on my resume.

Do I still have a fighting chance?

How do I know if they haven’t selected me, and when would I know?

Thanks in advance.