Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Allentown, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) work within the Transportation Security Administration’s Security Operations to protect air travelers, airports, and aircraft in a courteous and professional manner. Duties may also include supporting security at high-profile events and protecting important figures or other activities that affect transportation systems. TSOs use screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers and prevent those objects from being carried onto aircraft. The work involves screening and searching passengers and property, including pat-downs and bag searches, controlling terminal entry and exit points, and interacting with the public. Officers must maintain focus and make effective decisions in both routine and crisis situations, including in stressful, noisy, crowded environments and when facing time pressure or disruptive passengers. They apply critical thinking and risk-based screening protocols, follow applicable Standard Operating Procedures, and adapt to new information and unexpected obstacles. The position requires shift work and may involve irregular hours, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, extended or split shifts. Training may require travel away from the employee’s airport of record. TSOs must complete training and certification requirements and maintain fitness for duty. The role involves potential exposure to lethal devices and dangerous chemicals, and may require wearing TSA-issued personal protective equipment when working in a frontline 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 comprehending.
Must meet 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 prolonged periods of up to four hours.
Must satisfy the stated residency requirement: residence 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 complete required training and certification and maintain the standard level of fitness for duty.
Must adhere to TSA dress and appearance requirements under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Must meet one of these qualification pathways: 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, GED, HiSET, or TASC high school equivalency certificate.
Occasional travel is required; new-hire training may require at least three weeks of full-time travel and can require up to six weeks, depending on duty location.

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.
Screen passengers and property, including conducting pat-downs, searches of property, and bag searches.
Lift and carry bags, bins, and 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 potential threats and make effective decisions in crisis and routine situations.
Apply critical thinking and appropriate situational options to mitigate actual and potential security threats.
Apply risk-based security screening protocols as required by program requirements.
Retain and follow applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrate dependable conduct, and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles.
Complete classroom training, on-the-job training, initial certification testing, recurrent and specialized training, and periodic recertification tests.
Maintain required certification and fitness for duty and pass required background checks and random drug and alcohol screening tests.