Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Nantucket, MA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) work within the Transportation Security Administration’s Security Operations to provide courteous, professional security and protection for air travelers, airports, and aircraft. Duties may also extend to securing high-profile events, important figures, and other matters affecting transportation systems. The position is at Nantucket Memorial Airport in Nantucket, Massachusetts. The listed salary range is $67,883–$83,695 annually ($32.53–$40.10 per hour), including locality pay and a location-specific retention incentive. A sign-on bonus of up to $15,000 may be paid in two installments during the first 12 months of service; its amount may change or be eliminated based on operational needs and will be confirmed during the final offer process. The role involves operating screening equipment, screening passengers and property, controlling terminal access, and interacting with the public. TSOs must maintain focus and make effective decisions in a demanding environment, apply critical thinking to identify and mitigate security threats, and follow applicable standard operating procedures. Employees must complete required training and certification and maintain fitness for duty. The position requires shift work, and schedules are set by the airport; full-time positions require 40 hours per week. Work may include nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, extended or split shifts, and changing schedules. New-hire training may require at least three weeks of travel and up to six weeks depending on location. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals, meet the minimum age and other employment conditions, demonstrate English proficiency, and pass the required interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation. The role has physical requirements, including lifting and manipulating baggage weighing approximately 50 pounds, walking up to three miles during a shift, and standing for prolonged periods. Exposure to potentially lethal devices and dangerous chemicals is inherent in the position. TSA-approved and issued personal protective equipment may be required for frontline duties.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Must have reached age 18 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 travel; new-hire training travel may require at least three weeks and up to six weeks in full-time duty status, depending on location.
Must meet and maintain 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 up to four hours at a time.
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 meet the stated U.S. residency requirement: residence in the United States for three of the five years immediately before applying, subject to listed exceptions.
Must not have delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child support payments.
Must comply with TSA dress and appearance requirements and maintain required certification and fitness for duty.

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, property searches, and bag searches; lift and carry bags, bins, and property weighing up to 50 pounds.
Control terminal entry and exit points.
Interact with the public by giving directions and responding to inquiries.
Maintain focus and awareness in stressful, noisy, crowded, and time-pressured environments and make effective decisions in crisis and routine situations.
Develop and apply critical-thinking skills to identify, evaluate, and mitigate actual and potential security threats.
Apply risk-based security screening protocols as required by program requirements.
Retain and implement applicable Standard Operating Procedures and demonstrate dependable behavior and adaptability.
Complete classroom and on-the-job training, initial certification testing, recurrent and specialized training, and periodic recertification.
Maintain the required certification and fitness for duty and pass required background checks and random drug and alcohol screening tests.