ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Joint Terminal Attack Controller Jobs in Virginia

MILVETS

Fighter Pilot - (Secret Clearance)

Hampton, VA · On-site

$78K - $98K/yr

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) * Learn and execute missions using Combat Environment Server (CES), Next Generation Threat System (NGTS), and/or Modern Air Combat Environment (MACE)

asrcfh

IBS and Tactical Terminal Support

Hampton, VA · On-site

... Controlled Items (CCI). * Assist in the identification and validation of AF and Joint user IBS ... terminals and software applications. Training material must be scalable to satisfy needs of AF user ...

asrcfh

IBS and Tactical Terminal Support

Hampton, VA

... Controlled Items (CCI). * Assist in the identification and validation of AF and Joint user IBS ... terminals and software applications. Training material must be scalable to satisfy needs of AF user ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsJoint Terminal Attack Controller JobsJoint Terminal Attack Controller Jobs in Virginia

Joint Terminal Attack Controller information

See Virginia salary details

$48.1K

$76K

$109.1K

How much do joint terminal attack controller jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for joint terminal attack controller in Virginia is $75,997.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,000.00 and $100,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a joint terminal attack controller?

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) are specially trained military personnel responsible for directing the actions of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations from a forward position. They serve as the critical link between the ground forces and aviation assets, ensuring that airstrikes are accurately and safely delivered on enemy targets while minimizing the risk to friendly troops. JTACs undergo rigorous training to coordinate air support, understand complex battlefield environments, and communicate effectively with pilots. Their role is vital for successful integrated operations in modern combat scenarios.

What does a joint terminal attack controller do?

A joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) directs military aircraft during combat operations. Your duties in a theater of operation include communicating with planes, drones, and helicopters and giving directions to help them provide support for military units on the ground. In this career, you also have training responsibilities. A JTAC operator often participates in training scenarios. In these cases, you usually work with a JTAC instructor, who helps you learn procedures and evaluate tactics. As a teacher, you provide simulator instruction and evaluate performance during simulations or war games. You then help JTAC personnel correct mistakes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a joint terminal attack controller, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), you need comprehensive knowledge of close air support procedures, advanced communications, and tactical coordination, usually requiring specialized military training and JTAC certification. Proficiency with radio systems, targeting software, and digital mapping tools is essential for mission success. Exceptional situational awareness, decision-making under pressure, and clear communication are vital soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring precise, safe, and effective coordination of air and ground forces during high-stakes operations.

What are the typical challenges joint terminal attack controllers face when coordinating air support in dynamic combat environments?

JTACs often operate in high-pressure situations where they must quickly and accurately relay targeting information between ground forces and aircraft. A common challenge is managing complex communications across multiple channels while maintaining situational awareness to avoid friendly fire or collateral damage. JTACs must also adapt rapidly to changing battlefield conditions and coordinate with various teams, including pilots, artillery, and infantry units. Strong decision-making skills and attention to detail are crucial for success in this demanding role.

What is the difference between Joint Terminal Attack Controller vs Forward Air Controller?

AspectJoint Terminal Attack ControllerForward Air Controller
CertificationsMilitary tactical certifications, specialized JTAC trainingMilitary or civilian air traffic control certifications, tactical training
Work EnvironmentMilitary combat zones, joint operationsMilitary operations, sometimes civilian airspace coordination
Employer & IndustryMilitary branches, defense industryMilitary units, defense contractors

Both roles involve coordinating air support in military operations, with overlapping training and environments. The main difference is that a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) is specifically trained for close air support and direct engagement with aircraft, often in combat zones, whereas a Forward Air Controller (FAC) may have broader responsibilities including air traffic control and battlefield coordination. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify their unique roles in military operations.

More about Joint Terminal Attack Controller jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Joint Terminal Attack Controller jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Joint Terminal Attack Controller jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Joint Terminal Attack Controller jobs in Virginia?

For Joint Terminal Attack Controller jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Joint Terminal Attack Controller jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Joint Terminal Attack Controller jobs in Virginia are:

Joint Terminal Attack Controller jobs near you
Infographic showing various Joint Terminal Attack Controller job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,997 per year, or $36.5 per hour.

Operational Environment (OE) Exercise Planner (Joint Fires and Adjudication)- Suffolk, VA 1

Serco USA

Suffolk, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Position Description & Qualifications
Serco is seeking a Senior Principal Military Trainer - Operational Environment (OE) Exercise Planner with a focus on Joint Fires and Adjudication, to support the Joint Staff J-7 in support of Tier 1 Combatant Command joint exercises. You will join a dynamic team supporting the Joint Staff in Suffolk, Virginia. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside other professionals committed to enhancing military operational readiness through Collective Joint Training (CJT).
This position is contingent upon the ability to maintain/transfer an active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Top Secret (TS) security clearance or TS held within the last 24 months, with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access
In this role, you will:
  • Serves as primary architect and controller for all Joint Fires scenarios within large-scale training exercises. This critical role involves designing and integrating kinetic and non-kinetic effects including artillery, close air support, naval surface fire, and non-kinetic assets. During exercise execution, the planner serves as the lead Fires Adjudicator within the White Cell, utilizing digital simulation systems and probability of kill (Ph/Pk) metrics to accurately assess battle damage and operational impacts.
  • Facilitate the joint targeting cycle (Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, Assess) to adjudicate adversary actions and outcomes during strategic level exercises for consistent, doctrine aligned, and analytically accurate results.
  • Serve as the Adjudication Cell Lead during exercise events to validate adversary Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), weapons effects, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support, and Cyber & Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) capabilities.
  • Design and plan military exercises in collaboration with training audience representatives, Combatant Command Liaison Desk Officers, and other exercise planners.
  • Deliver exercise products such as Scenario, Road-to-Crisis (RTC), Adversary Campaign Plan, Operational Environment (OE) Overview, and Adversary / Opposing Force Concept of the Operations (CONOP).
  • Coordinate and adjust suspense dates based on product development needs.
  • Participate in Global Integration initiatives and attend exercise planning conferences, In-Progress Reviews, and coordination meetings as required.
  • Serve as a functional syndicate cell member during execution of joint training events globally.

To be successful in this role, you will have:
  • An active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance or TS held within the last 24 months and eligible for a TS/SCI.
    • A U.S. citizenship.
  • A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 6 years of joint operational experience,
    • OR a Master's degree with a minimum of 4 years of joint operational experience.
  • To be highly knowledgeable about deploying and employing joint forces in concert with other instruments of national power.
  • A thorough understanding of operational-level joint operations planning and execution.
  • Familiarity with the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), Universal Joint Task List (UJTL), and MSEL processes.
  • Intermediate Service School graduate.
  • To be able to work on-site in Suffolk, Virginia.
  • To be willing and able to travel (up to 25% of the time).
  • Must have or be able to obtain a valid U.S. Passport.
  • A strong understanding of joint operational planning and execution.
  • An excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
  • The ability to collaborate and work closely with senior military and civilian leaders.
  • A deep familiarity with joint and multinational training and exercises.

Additional desired experience and skills:
  • Operational experience as a Fire Support Officer (FSO), Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), or targeting specialist, alongside a deep mastery of Joint Publication 3-09 (Joint Fires). Expertise in coordinating Joint Targeting Coordination Boards (JTCB) and the proven ability to accurately adjudicate combat engagements within military simulation systems (e.g., JLVC, JCATS) are essential.
  • Joint Forces Staff College / JPME II graduate.
  • Senior Service School graduate.
  • Joint Staff or OSW experience.
  • Operational experience working with General Officer / Flag Officer / Senior Executive Service (SES) leaders.
  • Joint Staff, Combatant Command, Division, Afloat staff, or Wing staff experience or a civilian recognized as a strategic policy expert within the DOW community in a specific field related to the development requirements of an Operational Environment.
  • Experience with operational planning efforts at the operational and strategic levels.
  • Experience with Adversarial Assessments (Red Teaming).

Company Overview
Serco Inc. (Serco) is the Americas division of Serco Group, plc. In North America, Serco's 9,000+ employees strive to make an impact every day across 100+ sites in the areas of Defense, Citizen Services, and Transportation. We help our clients deliver vital services more efficiently while increasing the satisfaction of their end customers. Serco serves every branch of the U.S. military, numerous U.S. Federal civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Canadian government, state, provincial and local governments, and commercial clients. While your place may look a little different depending on your role, we know you will find yours here. Wherever you work and whatever you do, we invite you to discover your place in our world. Serco is a place you can count on and where you can make an impact because every contribution matters.
To review Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/what-we-offer. If you require an accommodation with the application process please email: careers@serco-na.com or call the HR Service Desk at 800-628-6458, option 1. Please note, due to EEOC/OFCCP compliance, Serco is unable to accept resumes by email.
Candidates may be asked to present proof of identity during the selection process. If requested, this will require presentation of a government-issued I.D. (with photo) with name and address that match the information entered on the application. Serco will not take possession of or retain/store the information provided as proof of identity. For more information on how Serco uses your information, please see our Applicant Privacy Policy and Notice.
Serco does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies without being a contracted approved vendor. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Serco and will not be obligated to pay a placement or contract fee. If you are interested in becoming an approved vendor at Serco, please email Agencies@serco-na.com.
Serco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Pay Transparency
Our Total Rewards package includes competitive pay, performance-based incentives, and benefits that promote well-being and work-life balance-so you can thrive both professionally and personally. Eligible employees also gain access to a wide range of benefits from comprehensive health coverage and health savings accounts to retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and time-off programs that support work-life balance. Program availability may vary based on factors such as contract type, location, hire date, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Salary range: The range for this position can be found at the top of this posting. This range is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. Actual base salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the scope of the role, relevant experience, job-related knowledge, education and training, key skills, and geographic market considerations. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. In addition to base salary, eligible positions may include other forms of compensation such as annual bonuses or long-term incentive opportunities.Benefits - Comprehensible benefits for full-time employees (part-time employees receive a limited package tailored to their role):
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Robust vacation and sick leave benefits, and flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract
  • 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds
  • Tuition reimbursement program
  • Life insurance and disability coverage
  • Optional coverages that can be purchased, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
  • Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
  • Employee Assistance Plan

To review all Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/about-us.
Serco complies with all applicable state and local leave laws, including providing time off under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for eligible Colorado residents, in alignment with our policies and benefit plans. The application window for this position is for no more than 60 days. We encourage candidates to apply promptly after the posting date, as the position may close earlier if filled or if the application volume exceeds expectations. Please submit applications exclusively through Serco's external (or internal) career site. If an applicant has any concerns with job posting compliance, please send an email to: careers@serco-na.com.

Apply