Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Memphis, TN

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) work in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security, providing 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, and other matters that affect transportation systems. The position is based at Memphis International Airport (MEM) in Memphis, Tennessee. The listed salary range is $46,105 to $56,844 per year ($22.09 to $27.24 per hour), including 17.06% locality pay. 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. Work takes place in a potentially stressful environment with noise, crowds, time pressure, and disruptive or angry passengers. Officers use critical thinking and applicable risk-based screening protocols to identify and address security threats, follow standard operating procedures, and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles. The role requires physical agility, prolonged standing and walking, and repeated lifting and handling of baggage and other objects weighing approximately 50 pounds. Employees must complete new-hire, on-the-job, recurrent, and specialized training and maintain required certifications and fitness for duty. Training may require several weeks of travel away from the assigned airport. Shifts are set by the airport and may include irregular hours, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, extended or split shifts, and changing schedules. TSOs may be required to wear TSA-issued personal protective equipment.

Requirements

Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Meet Selective Service registration requirements, where applicable.
Pass a structured interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation.
Be subject to post-employment random drug and/or alcohol testing.
Be available to work various shifts and overtime as needed.
Be proficient in English, including reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension.
Meet and maintain physical requirements, including the ability to squat and bend, repeatedly lift and manipulate objects weighing approximately 50 pounds, walk up to three miles during a shift, and stand for up to four hours at a time.
Complete mandatory new-hire training, which may require at least three weeks and up to six weeks of travel in full-time duty status away from the assigned airport; occasional additional travel may be required.
Meet the stated residency requirement of having lived in the United States for three of the five years immediately before applying, unless an exception applies.
Have no delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child support payments.
For qualification, meet either of the following: 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 recognized high school equivalency certificate.
Complete initial and recurrent training and certification, and continue to pass required background, credit, and randomly administered drug and alcohol checks.
Comply with TSA appearance requirements and the applicable Master Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Be reliable and trustworthy and successfully pass the required background investigation.

Responsibilities

Operate screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers, and prevent their transport onto aircraft.
Conduct searches and screening, which may include pat-downs, searches of property, and bag searches.
Lift and carry bags, bins, and other property weighing up to approximately 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 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.
Apply risk-based security screening protocols as required by program requirements.
Retain and implement knowledge of applicable Standard Operating Procedures and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles.
Complete classroom, on-the-job, recurrent, and specialized training and required certification testing.
Maintain required certification, fitness for duty, and compliance with background checks and random drug and alcohol testing.
Adhere to applicable TSA dress and appearance requirements.