Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Miami, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) work within the Transportation Security Administration’s Security Operations to protect air travelers, airports, and aircraft. They provide security in a courteous and professional manner and may also support security at high-profile events or for important figures when related to transportation systems. The position is based at Miami International Airport. The stated salary range is $43,384 to $60,540 annually, or $20.79 to $29.01 per hour, including 24.67% locality pay. Full-time positions require 40 hours per week. Work schedules are set by the airport and may involve shifts on any day of the week, irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended shifts, weekends, changing shifts, or split shifts. TSOs use screening equipment and technology to detect dangerous objects, screen passengers and property, control terminal access, and assist the traveling public. The work involves maintaining attention and professional judgment in a stressful, noisy environment, interacting with passengers, and responding to potential security threats. Employees must complete initial and recurrent training and certification, maintain fitness for duty, and pass required background, credit, and drug and alcohol checks. Training may require at least three weeks and up to six weeks of travel away from the assigned airport. The role requires U.S. citizenship or national status, a minimum age of 18 at application, Selective Service registration where applicable, English proficiency, and successful completion of a structured interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation. Candidates must meet physical requirements that include bending and squatting, lifting and manipulating baggage weighing approximately 50 pounds, walking up to three miles per shift, and standing for up to four hours. The work entails exposure to potentially lethal devices and dangerous chemicals. TSOs must follow applicable standard operating procedures and dress and appearance rules.

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.
Must be proficient in English, including reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension.
Must be available to work various shifts and overtime as needed.
Must be able to travel for training and occasional work-related travel; new-hire training may require three to six weeks of travel in full-time duty status.
Must meet physical requirements, including squatting and bending, repeatedly lifting and manipulating objects weighing approximately 50 pounds, walking up to three miles per shift, and standing for prolonged periods up to four hours.
Must be able to work in an environment involving potential exposure to lethal devices and dangerous chemicals.
Must meet the qualification requirement through either at least one year of full-time experience in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X-ray technician, or a high school diploma or recognized high school equivalency certificate.
Applicants must not have delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child support payments.
Applicants generally must have resided in the United States for three of the five years immediately preceding application, subject to stated exceptions.
Must comply with TSA standards for certification, fitness for duty, background and credit checks, and random drug and alcohol screening.
Must comply with TSA dress and appearance requirements, including restrictions on visible body piercings and tattoos.

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.
Search and screen passengers and property, including conducting pat-downs and bag searches and lifting or carrying 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 conditions, including noise, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive or angry passengers.
Identify and locate potentially life-threatening or mass-destruction devices and make effective decisions in crisis and routine situations.
Develop and apply critical thinking to mitigate actual and potential security threats, including applying risk-based screening protocols as required.
Retain and implement applicable Standard Operating Procedures and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles.
Complete classroom training, on-the-job training, initial certification testing, recurrent and specialized training, and periodic recertification tests.
Maintain the required certification and fitness for duty and comply with background investigations and randomly administered drug and alcohol tests.
Adhere to TSA dress and appearance requirements and the applicable Master Collective Bargaining Agreement.