Transportation Security Officer

Summary

Transportation Security Officers are responsible for providing security and protection of travelers across all transportation sectors in a courteous and professional manner. Their duties may also extend to securing high‑profile events, important figures and anything that includes or impacts our transportation systems.

Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Dayton, OH (DAY – James M. Cox Dayton International Airport).

The salary range for Dayton, OH is $42,253 to $58,962 (or $20.25 to $28.25 per hour) and includes locality pay of 21.42%.

This video provides an honest, objective portrait of what it means to work as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) and includes employee testimonials.

• Operate various screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers, and prevent those objects from being transported onto aircraft.
• Perform 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 50 lbs.
• Control terminal entry and exit points.
• Interact with the public, give directions, and respond to inquiries.
• Maintain focus and awareness while working in a stressful environment that includes noise from alarms, machinery, people, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive or 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 during both crisis and routine situations.
• Engage in continuous development of critical‑thinking skills by identifying, evaluating, and applying appropriate situational options and approaches; this may include the application of risk‑based screening protocols that vary based on program requirements.
• Retain and implement knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrate responsible and dependable behavior, and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles.

• Must possess U.S. citizenship or be a U.S. National.
• Must have reached the minimum age of 18 at the time of application.
• Selective Service registration is required for male applicants born after 12/31/59.
• Must pass a structured interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation.
• 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 (reading, writing, speaking).
• Mandatory travel for training and occasional travel may be required.
• Exposure to potentially lethal devices and dangerous chemicals is inherent in this position.

• Maintain physical agility to squat and bend.
• Lift and manipulate baggage and containers weighing approximately 50 lbs repeatedly.
• Walk up to three (3) miles during a shift and stand for prolonged periods (up to 4 hours).

• Experience:
  
  At least one year of full‑time work experience in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X‑ray technician.
• Education:
  
  High‑school diploma, GED, HiSET, or TASC high‑school equivalency certificate.
• Credit for experience is given based on a 40‑hour workweek; part‑time experience is credited on a part‑time ratio.
• National Service experience (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) counts as qualifying experience.

• Occasional travel may be required: a minimum of 3 weeks of travel in a full‑time duty status for new‑hire training, and up to 6 weeks may be required.
• Credit check:
  Applicants must not have delinquent federal or state taxes, or past‑due child support payments.
• Residency:
  Applicants must have resided within the United States for at least 3 of the last 5 years immediately prior to applying; certain exceptions apply.

• Complete classroom and on‑the‑job training and all initial certification testing.
• Undergo recurrent and specialized training and recertification tests on a periodic basis.
• Pass background investigations, including a criminal check, credit check, and all randomly administered drug and alcohol screening tests.