Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Durango, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Transportation Security Officer (TSO) position is with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security, in Security Operations. TSOs provide courteous and professional security and protection for air travelers, airports, and aircraft. Duties may also extend to protecting high-profile events, important figures, and other matters affecting transportation systems. The role involves operating screening equipment and technology, conducting passenger and property searches, controlling terminal entry and exit points, and assisting the public. Officers must maintain focus and sound judgment in stressful, noisy, crowded, and time-pressured environments, including interactions with disruptive or angry passengers. They apply critical thinking and risk-based screening procedures to identify and mitigate security threats, follow applicable Standard Operating Procedures, and adapt to changing information and circumstances. The position requires shift work and may involve irregular hours, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, extended or split shifts. New-hire training requires at least three weeks of travel in full-time duty status and may require up to six weeks depending on duty location. Additional occasional travel may be required. Officers must complete classroom and on-the-job training, initial certification, and recurring training and recertification. The position involves exposure to potentially lethal devices and dangerous chemicals and requires meeting physical fitness and duty standards. The salary range for the Durango, Colorado airport location is $46,105 to $56,844 annually ($22.09 to $27.24 per hour), including 17.06% locality pay. At this location, the announcement states that only qualified female candidates are currently being considered to meet mission-related staffing needs; applications from male candidates will be accepted but not considered until staffing needs change.

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 new-hire training and occasional work-related travel.
Must meet physical requirements, including the ability to squat and bend; repeatedly lift and manipulate baggage and 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 the stated residency requirement: have resided in the United States for three of the five years immediately preceding application, unless an exception applies.
Must not have delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child support payments.
Must comply with TSA dress and appearance requirements and the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Must complete required initial, recurrent, and specialized training and pass certification and recertification tests.
Must pass background investigations, including criminal and credit checks, and randomly administered drug and alcohol screening tests.
Must have at least one year of full-time experience in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X-ray technician, or have a high school diploma, GED, HiSET, or TASC certificate.
Must meet and maintain the standard level of certification and fitness for duty.
Must be reliable and trustworthy and successfully pass the required background investigation as a condition of placement.

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, provide directions, and respond to inquiries.
Maintain focus and awareness in stressful environments to identify potential threats and make effective decisions in crisis and routine situations.
Develop and apply critical-thinking skills to mitigate actual and potential security threats, including using risk-based screening protocols as required.
Retain and follow applicable Standard Operating Procedures and demonstrate responsible, dependable, and adaptable behavior.
Complete classroom training, on-the-job training, certification testing, recurrent and specialized training, and periodic recertification.
Maintain required certification and fitness for duty and pass required background checks and random drug and alcohol screening tests.