Transportation Security Officer (TSO)

This Transportation Security Officer position is located in Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Becoming a Transportation Security Officer (TSOs) is a great way to get your foot in the door with the Federal Government! 

Job Description

TSOs are responsible for providing security and protection of travelers across all transportation sectors in a courteous and professional manner. 

Sign-on Bonus: The Transportation Security Administration is offering a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000 for certain locations.

On July 2, 2023, TSA launched a new compensation plan. Under this new plan, Transportation Security Officer (TSO) salaries will become significantly more competitive with the implementation of a three-rung, D, E, and F band career ladder. 

DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism, secure borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace and ensure resilience to disasters.

Realistic Job Preview:  The Realistic Job Preview gives you an honest, objective and vivid portrait of what it means to work as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) and provides employee testimonies about both the good and the challenging aspects of being a TSO. To view the video, please Click Here.

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) provide security and protection of air travelers, airports and aircraft in a courteous and professional manner. This includes:

• Operating various screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo and on passengers, and preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft.
• Performing searches and screening, which may include physical interaction with passengers (e.g., pat-downs, search of property, etc.), conducting bag searches and lifting/carrying bags, bins, and property weighing up to 50lbs.
• Controlling terminal entry and exit points.
• Interacting with the public, giving directions and responding to inquiries.
• Maintaining focus and awareness while working in a stressful environment which includes noise from alarms, machinery and people, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive and angry passengers, in order to preserve the professional ability to identify and locate potentially life threatening or mass destruction devices, and to make effective decisions in both crisis and routine situations.
• Engaging in continuous development of critical thinking skills, necessary to mitigate actual and potential security threats, by identifying, evaluating, and applying appropriate situational options and approaches. This may include application of risk-based security screening protocols that vary based on program requirements.
• Retaining and implementing knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrating responsible and dependable behavior, and is open to change and adapts to new information or unexpected obstacles.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National and at least 18 years of age
• Pass a drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation
• Must be registered for Selective Service (males born after 12/31/59)
• Must be available to work various shifts and overtime, as needed
• Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent

Work Schedules for Full-time and Part-Time Positions: Specific work shifts and schedules will be determined by the airport.

• Full-time positions require 40 hours per week
• Part-time shifts generally range from 16-32 hours per week
• Both schedules consist of shift-work on any day from Sunday through Saturday, which may include irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended shifts and weekend shifts, changing shifts, and split shifts