Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration•Charleston, SC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) work within the Transportation Security Administration’s Security Operations organization to provide courteous and professional security and protection for air travelers, airports, and aircraft. Duties may also include protecting other transportation sectors, high-profile events, and important figures when required by the security mission. The position is based at Charleston International Airport in Charleston, South Carolina. The stated salary range is $42,526 to $56,844 per year, or $20.38 to $27.24 per hour, including 17.06% locality pay. TSOs operate screening equipment and technology, screen passengers and property, control terminal entry and exit points, and interact with the public. The work requires maintaining concentration and sound judgment in a stressful environment with noise, crowds, time pressure, and potentially disruptive passengers. Officers apply screening procedures and risk-based protocols, follow applicable standard operating procedures, and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles. The role involves physical activity, including pat-downs and property searches, handling bags and containers weighing up to approximately 50 pounds, walking up to three miles during a shift, and standing for prolonged periods. Employees must complete required training and certification, and may travel away from their assigned airport for new-hire training. Shifts and schedules are set by the airport and may include nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, extended or split shifts, and irregular hours. The position is in the AFGE bargaining unit and 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, if applicable.
Must pass a structured interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation; subject to post-employment random drug and/or alcohol testing.
Must be proficient in English, including reading, writing, speaking, and comprehending.
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 and maintain 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 up to four hours at a time.
Must have at least one year of full-time work 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 residency requirement of having lived 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 maintain required certification and fitness for duty and pass required background, credit, and randomly administered drug and alcohol screening checks.
Must comply with TSA dress and appearance requirements and the applicable Master Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Must complete at least three weeks of new-hire training travel; training and travel may require up to six weeks, depending on duty location.
Must be reliable and trustworthy and successfully pass the required background investigation.

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 screening, including pat-downs, searches of property, and bag searches.
Lift and carry bags, bins, and other property weighing up to approximately 50 pounds.
Control terminal entry and exit points.
Provide directions and respond to inquiries from the public in a courteous and professional manner.
Maintain focus and situational awareness amid noise, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive or angry passengers.
Use critical thinking to identify and mitigate actual or potential security threats and make effective decisions in routine and crisis situations.
Apply risk-based security screening protocols as required by program requirements.
Retain and implement applicable standard operating procedures, behave responsibly and dependably, 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.