Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Norfolk, VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) work within the Transportation Security Administration’s Security Operations to provide security and protection for air travelers, airports, and aircraft in a courteous and professional manner. Duties may also include securing high-profile events, important figures, or other matters affecting transportation systems. The position is at Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk, Virginia. The listed salary range is $41,341 to $57,689 per year ($19.81 to $27.64 per hour), including 18.8% locality pay. TSOs use screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers, and prevent prohibited objects from being brought onto aircraft. The work involves searching and screening passengers and property, including physical interaction and handling bags weighing up to 50 pounds; controlling terminal entry and exit points; and assisting the public. Officers must maintain focus and make effective decisions amid noise, crowds, time pressure, and potentially disruptive passengers, while applying critical thinking and risk-based screening protocols. They must learn and follow applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrate dependable conduct, and adapt to changing information and circumstances. The position requires shift work on any day of the week, with schedules set by the airport. Work may include irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended or weekend shifts, changing shifts, and split shifts. New-hire training may require at least three weeks of travel in full-time duty status, and in some cases up to six weeks, at a location away from the employee’s airport of record. Occasional additional travel may be required. Employees must maintain required certifications and fitness for duty through training, testing, and periodic recertification. Candidates must meet the applicable citizenship, age, Selective Service, English proficiency, screening, medical, and background requirements. Qualification may be met through at least one year of full-time experience in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X-ray technician, or through a high school diploma or equivalent. Physical requirements include squatting and bending, repeatedly lifting and manipulating objects weighing approximately 50 pounds, walking up to three miles during a shift, and standing for prolonged periods. The position may expose employees to potentially lethal devices and dangerous chemicals. Frontline employees may be required to wear TSA-issued personal protective equipment. This is a permanent, bargaining-unit position represented by the American Federation of Government Employees. It is not a law-enforcement position. The announcement describes federal benefits and possible additional benefits, including insurance, retirement, leave, paid federal holidays, and employee development opportunities.

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, if applicable.
Must pass a structured interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation.
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.
Mandatory travel for training and occasional additional travel may be required.
Must meet physical requirements, including squatting and bending, repeatedly lifting and manipulating objects weighing approximately 50 pounds, walking up to three miles during a shift, and standing for up to four hours at a time.
Must meet the residency requirement of having lived in the United States for three of the five years immediately before applying, unless an exception applies.
Must not have delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child support payments.
Must adhere to the TSO dress and appearance requirements in the applicable Master Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Must complete required training and certification and pass recurrent background checks and screening tests.
Meet one of the following qualification paths: 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, GED, HiSET, or TASC high school equivalency certificate.

Responsibilities

Operate screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers and prevent those objects from being transported onto aircraft.
Search and screen passengers and property, including conducting pat-downs and bag searches and handling bags, bins, and 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 a stressful environment and identify and locate potentially life-threatening or mass-destruction devices.
Make effective decisions in crisis and routine situations.
Develop and apply critical-thinking skills to mitigate actual and potential security threats.
Apply risk-based security screening protocols as required by program requirements.
Retain and implement applicable Standard Operating Procedures.
Demonstrate responsible and dependable behavior and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles.
Complete classroom and on-the-job training, initial certification testing, recurrent and specialized training, and periodic recertification.
Maintain the standard level of certification and fitness for duty.