Supervisory Transportation Security Inspector (Surface)

Transportation Security Administration•Houston, TX

About The Position

This position is located in Surface Operations, West Region, HOU, within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security. The incumbent leads surface transportation security inspection and enforcement work to protect transportation systems, facilities, networks, and the public from terrorism, piracy, and other acts of sabotage. The role serves as a technical expert to regional leadership, field staff, and industry stakeholders on complex compliance and enforcement programs under Title 49 CFR Part 1500 series. It is designated Emergency Essential, requiring the employee to remain in duty status during emergencies. The position requires availability for on-call work, duty in the United States and possibly worldwide, and various shifts, including frequently changing and uncommon tours of duty. The incumbent is a first-line supervisor who assigns work, establishes priorities, reviews and evaluates subordinate work and performance, approves leave, coaches and develops employees, recommends corrective or disciplinary actions, assists with budget planning, manages projects within assigned resources, resolves routine operational problems, and coordinates with external customers as needed. Work is frequently reviewed for technical accuracy, sound application of inspection methods and techniques, and clear oral and written communication. To qualify for the SV-J pay band (equivalent to GS-14), applicants need one year of specialized experience at the SV-I or GS-13 level in Federal service, or equivalent private-sector experience. The specialized experience described includes serving as a senior specialist or team lead in surface transportation security inspections and investigations; determining when enforcement action should be taken; conducting security assessments on surface transportation systems; and monitoring compliance with relevant policies, regulations, security directives, and agreements.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Selective Service registration, if applicable.
Pass pre-employment drug screening and participate in random drug and alcohol testing.
Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Be available for on-call work and duty within the United States and possibly worldwide.
Obtain and maintain a government travel card.
Be available to work various shifts, including frequently changing and uncommon tours of duty.
Successfully complete Basic Transportation Security Inspections.
Complete the OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report annually or as directed, including annual ethics training.
Ability to walk for extended periods on uneven surfaces such as railroad ballast or crushed rock.
Satisfactorily complete a one-year supervisory trial period unless previously completed.
One year of specialized experience at the SV-I or GS-13 level in Federal service, or equivalent private-sector experience.
Specialized experience must include serving as a senior specialist or team lead conducting surface transportation security inspections and investigations; determining when enforcement action should be taken; performing security assessments on surface transportation systems; and monitoring compliance with applicable policies, regulations, security directives, and agreements.
Meet all qualification requirements by the vacancy announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

Plan, develop, implement, administer, and evaluate transportation inspection programs to ensure compliance with Title 49 CFR Part 1500 series.
Serve as a technical expert to regional leadership, field staff, and industry stakeholders on complex compliance and enforcement programs.
Supervise and mentor a team of Surface Operations Transportation Security Inspectors.
Conduct and supervise inspections of regulated surface transportation parties, including mass transit, trucking, freight and passenger rail, and other personnel subject to Federal transportation security regulations.
Conduct and supervise complex technical inspections to determine regulated parties' security posture and compliance.
Monitor compliance with laws, policies, regulations, security directives, and agreements; identify potential problem areas or deviations from standards.
Review security measures in TSA-approved security programs and recommend appropriate actions.
Identify and respond to security violations or potential violations.
Respond to transportation security incidents and other incidents as defined by the National Incident Management Systems or directed by regional leadership.
Determine whether enforcement action should be initiated; prepare enforcement investigation reports and recommend the type of action and penalty to TSA counsel.
Provide testimony and participate in enforcement proceedings.
Enter, review, and approve investigation, inspection, incident, and security assessment records in PARIS and SDMS; review subordinate inspectors' PARIS entries.
Review and analyze assessment reports and test results, identifying trends or actions that could indicate a security or safety problem.
Review and formulate recommended or alternative courses of action for regulated parties to satisfy security requirements.
Coordinate, conduct, or review evaluations of new technology, traditional security measures, and human factors for operational effectiveness and efficiency.
Coordinate and conduct security assessments and audits, and validate and inspect surface transportation security processes, procedures, programs, and training.
Prepare and review written analyses of inspections and assessments, and determine whether corrective measures are adequate to improve security or restore compliance.
Assign work, set priorities, review and evaluate subordinate employees' work and performance, and approve leave.
Coach and develop employees and recommend corrective or disciplinary actions.
Assist with budget planning and short-term needs projections; manage projects within assigned resources.
Resolve routine problems affecting organizational objectives and coordinate with customers outside the immediate organization when required.