Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Grand Junction, CO

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) work for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), within the Department of Homeland Security, providing security and protection for air travelers, airports, and aircraft in a courteous and professional manner. Duties may also extend to securing high-profile events, important figures, or other matters affecting transportation systems. TSOs operate screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers, and prevent those objects from being brought onto aircraft. They perform searches and screening, including pat-downs and property searches, search bags, lift and carry bags and bins weighing up to 50 pounds, control terminal entry and exit points, and assist the public with directions and inquiries. The work requires maintaining focus in a stressful environment involving noise, crowds, time pressure, and potentially disruptive passengers, and making effective decisions in routine and crisis situations. Officers continuously develop critical-thinking skills, apply situational options and risk-based screening protocols, follow applicable Standard Operating Procedures, and adapt to changing information or obstacles. This position is at Grand Junction Regional Airport in Grand Junction, Colorado. The listed salary range is $40,736 to $56,844 per year, or $19.52 to $27.24 per hour, including 17.06% locality pay. The airport is currently seeking qualified female candidates to meet mission-related staffing needs; male applicants may apply but will not be considered until staffing needs change. The position requires successful completion of a structured interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation. Employees must maintain certification and fitness for duty through training, testing, and recurring screening. New-hire training may require three to six weeks of travel in full-time duty status away from the airport of record; other occasional travel may also be required. Employees may be required to wear TSA-issued personal protective equipment. Work schedules are set by the airport and may include shifts on any day of the week, irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended shifts, weekends, changing shifts, or split shifts. Full-time positions require 40 hours per week. The role is a permanent position and is covered by a bargaining unit represented by AFGE. It is not a law-enforcement position.

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 subject to post-employment random drug and/or alcohol testing.
Must be available to work various shifts and overtime as needed.
Must be proficient in English, including reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension.
Must be able to travel for training and occasional work-related travel.
Must be able to squat and bend and maintain physical agility.
Must be able to repeatedly lift and manipulate baggage, containers, and other objects weighing approximately 50 pounds.
Must be able to walk up to three miles during a shift and stand for prolonged periods, up to four hours.
Must meet one of the following qualification paths: 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 equivalent (GED, HiSET, or TASC).
Applicants must not have delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child support payments.
Applicants generally must have resided in the United States for three of the five years immediately before applying, subject to stated exceptions.
Must complete and maintain required training, certification, and fitness-for-duty standards.
Must comply with TSA dress and appearance requirements under the applicable Master Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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.
Lift and carry bags, bins, and other 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 to identify potential threats 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 applicable Standard Operating Procedures.
Demonstrate responsible and dependable behavior and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles.
Complete classroom and on-the-job training, certification testing, recurrent and specialized training, and periodic recertification.
Maintain required background, fitness-for-duty, drug-screening, and alcohol-screening standards.