Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Roanoke, VA

20h•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. TSOs operate screening equipment and technology, screen passengers and property, control terminal entry and exit points, and interact with the public. The work requires sustained focus and awareness in stressful environments involving noise, crowds, time pressure, and potentially disruptive passengers, as well as sound decision-making in routine and crisis situations. Officers apply risk-based screening protocols, develop critical-thinking skills to address security threats, follow applicable standard operating procedures, and adapt to changing information and circumstances. This position is located at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport in Roanoke, Virginia. The listed salary range is $40,736 to $56,844 annually ($19.52 to $27.24 per hour), including 17.06% locality pay. At this airport, 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. The role involves shift work on any day of the week, potentially including nights, holidays, overtime, extended or split shifts, and changing schedules. Full-time positions require 40 hours per week. New-hire training may require three to six weeks of travel away from the airport of record. TSOs must complete training and certification requirements and maintain the required fitness for duty and security clearances. Frontline employees may be required to wear TSA-issued personal protective equipment.

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 the Selective Service registration requirement where applicable.
Must pass a structured interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation; must also be 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.
Must be able to travel for 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 listed qualification requirement: either 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 credential.
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.
Applicants must not have delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child support payments.
Must comply with the applicable TSA dress and appearance requirements and maintain the standard level of certification and fitness for duty.

Responsibilities

Operate screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers, and prevent them 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 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 and make effective decisions in routine and crisis situations.
Identify, evaluate, and address actual and potential security threats using critical thinking and appropriate situational approaches.
Apply risk-based security screening protocols as required by program requirements.
Retain and follow applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrate 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 tests.
Maintain required certification and fitness for duty and pass applicable background investigations and random drug and alcohol screening tests.