Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Orlando, FL

13h•Onsite

About The Position

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) work in the Transportation Security Administration’s Security Operations division, providing courteous and professional security and protection for air travelers, airports, and aircraft. Duties may also include providing security at high-profile events and for important figures or other matters affecting transportation systems. TSOs operate screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers; conduct searches and screening, including pat-downs and property searches; control terminal entry and exit points; and interact with the public by providing directions and responding to inquiries. The work requires maintaining focus and awareness in stressful, noisy, crowded, and time-pressured environments, making effective decisions in routine and crisis situations, and applying critical thinking and risk-based screening protocols to mitigate security threats. Employees must learn and follow applicable Standard Operating Procedures, behave responsibly and dependably, and adapt to new information and unexpected obstacles. The role involves shift work on any day of the week, potentially including nights, holidays, weekends, overtime, extended or split shifts, and changing schedules. Specific shifts are determined by the airport. Full-time positions require 40 hours per week. Training may require at least three weeks of travel away from the employee’s airport of record, and may extend up to six weeks depending on the duty location. Occasional additional travel may also be required. The position involves regular contact with the traveling public and may require TSA-issued personal protective equipment. Employees must maintain required certifications and fitness for duty through initial and recurrent training, testing, background checks, and screening. This is a permanent, bargaining-unit position and is not a law-enforcement position.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Must meet Selective Service registration requirements, where applicable.
Must pass a structured interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation; employment is subject to post-employment random drug and/or alcohol testing.
Must be proficient in English, including reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension.
Must be available to work various shifts and overtime as needed.
Must complete mandatory travel for training and may be required to travel occasionally.
Must meet physical requirements, including the ability to squat and bend; repeatedly lift and manipulate baggage or other objects weighing approximately 50 pounds; walk up to three miles during a shift; and stand for prolonged periods of up to four hours.
Must meet one of the following qualifications: at least one year of full-time work experience in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X-ray technician; or a high school diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSET, or TASC).
Applicants must meet the stated U.S. residency requirement: residence in the United States for three of the five years immediately preceding application, unless an exception applies.
Applicants must not have delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child support payments.
Must comply with applicable TSA dress and appearance requirements and the Master Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Must complete and maintain required training, certification, fitness-for-duty, background, and screening requirements.

Responsibilities

Operate screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers, and prevent prohibited objects from being transported onto aircraft.
Conduct searches and screening, including passenger pat-downs and property searches; search bags and lift or carry bags, bins, and other property weighing up to 50 pounds.
Control terminal entry and exit points.
Interact with the public, provide directions, and respond to inquiries.
Maintain focus and awareness in stressful environments to identify and locate potentially life-threatening or mass-destruction devices and make effective decisions in routine and crisis situations.
Develop and apply critical-thinking skills to mitigate actual and potential security threats, including applying risk-based screening protocols.
Learn and implement applicable Standard Operating Procedures, act responsibly and dependably, and adapt to changing information or unexpected obstacles.
Complete classroom and on-the-job training, initial certification testing, and periodic recurrent or specialized training and recertification.
Maintain required certification and fitness for duty, and pass required background, credit, drug, and alcohol screening procedures.