Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Lafayette, LA

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. They provide security screening and assistance to the public in a courteous and professional manner. Duties may also extend to securing high-profile events, important figures, or other matters that affect transportation systems. TSOs operate screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous items in baggage, cargo, and on passengers; conduct passenger and property searches, including pat-downs and bag searches; and control terminal entry and exit points. The role involves interacting with the public, answering questions, and giving directions. Officers must remain attentive and make effective decisions in stressful conditions involving noise, crowds, time pressure, and potentially disruptive passengers, while applying appropriate security procedures and adapting to changing circumstances. The position requires physical activity, including bending and squatting, standing for extended periods, walking, and repeatedly lifting and manipulating baggage weighing approximately 50 pounds. Employees must complete training and certification, maintain fitness for duty, and pass periodic recertification, background, and drug and alcohol screening requirements. Mandatory travel for new-hire training and occasional additional travel may be required. Work schedules are set by the airport and may include shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, extended or split shifts.

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 available to work various shifts and overtime as needed.
Must be proficient in English, including reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension.
Must travel for training and occasional work travel; new-hire training may require three to six weeks of travel in full-time duty status.
Must meet physical requirements, including squatting and bending, repeatedly lifting and manipulating objects weighing approximately 50 pounds, walking up to three miles during a shift, and standing for up to four hours at a time.
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 or recognized high school equivalency certificate.
Must meet the stated U.S. residency requirement of 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 adhere to TSA dress and appearance requirements under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Must complete required training and certification and maintain the standard level of certification and fitness for duty.
Must pass periodic background investigations and randomly administered drug and alcohol screening tests.

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 passenger and property searches, including pat-downs and bag searches; lift and carry bags, bins, and other property.
Control terminal entry and exit points.
Interact with the public, provide directions, and respond to inquiries.
Maintain attention and awareness in stressful environments and identify and locate potentially life-threatening or mass-destruction devices.
Use critical thinking to assess potential security threats and apply appropriate situational options and risk-based screening protocols.
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, certification testing, recurrent training, and periodic recertification.
Maintain required certification and fitness for duty and successfully complete required background checks and random drug and alcohol screening.