Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Albany, GA

7h•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 providing security at high-profile events or for important figures, and protecting other aspects of the transportation system. 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; screen bags and control terminal entry and exit points; and interact with the public by providing directions and responding to inquiries. The work requires maintaining focus and awareness in stressful, noisy, and time-pressured environments, including interactions with disruptive or angry passengers. Officers apply critical thinking and situational judgment to identify and mitigate security threats, use risk-based screening protocols as required, and follow applicable Standard Operating Procedures. They must demonstrate dependable behavior and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles. The position requires shift work on any day of the week and may involve irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended shifts, weekends, changing shifts, or split shifts. Full-time positions require 40 hours per week. Employees must complete initial and recurrent training and certification, maintain fitness for duty, and pass required background and screening checks. New-hire training may require three to six weeks of travel away from the airport of record. The position is permanent and is in the AFGE bargaining unit. It is not a law-enforcement position.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
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; remain subject to post-employment random drug and/or alcohol testing.
Proficiency in English, including reading, writing, speaking, and comprehending.
Availability to work various shifts and overtime as needed.
Ability to travel for required new-hire training and occasional work-related travel.
Meet physical requirements, including the ability to squat and bend, repeatedly lift and manipulate baggage or containers weighing approximately 50 pounds, walk up to three miles during a shift, and stand for prolonged periods of up to four hours.
For the SV-D pay band, either at least one year of full-time experience in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X-ray technician, or a high school diploma or recognized high school equivalency certificate.
Residency in the United States for three of the five years immediately before applying, subject to stated exceptions.
No delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child-support payments.
Adhere to TSA dress and appearance requirements under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Complete required training and maintain certification, fitness for duty, and successful background and screening checks throughout employment.

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 searches and screening, including physical interaction with passengers such as pat-downs and property searches.
Search bags and lift or carry bags, bins, and other property weighing up to approximately 50 pounds.
Control terminal entry and exit points.
Interact with the public by giving directions and responding to inquiries.
Maintain focus and awareness in stressful environments to identify potentially life-threatening or mass-destruction devices and make effective decisions in crisis and routine 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 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.
Maintain required certification and fitness for duty.