Transportation Security Officer

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.

Salary Information
The salary range for Lake Charles, LA (LCH - Lake Charles Regional Airport) is $45,649 to $56,282 or $21.87 to $26.97 per hour and includes locality pay of 17.06%.

• 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, including 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.
• Engaging in continuous development of critical‑thinking skills to mitigate actual and potential security threats.
• Retaining and implementing knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrating responsible and dependable behavior and openness to change.

Realistic Job Preview
View the video for an honest, objective portrait of what it means to work as a Transportation Security Officer.

• U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National.
• Minimum age 18 at the time of application.
• Selective Service registration required.
• 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.
• Proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking).
• Mandatory travel for training; occasional travel may be required.
• Exposure to potentially lethal devices and dangerous chemicals is inherent.

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

• Experience:
  
  At least one year full‑time experience in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X‑ray technician.
• OR
  
  Education:
  
  High school diploma, GED, HiSET, or TASC.

• Occasional travel required (minimum three weeks of travel in a full‑time duty status). Travel may vary by duty location.
• Selective Service registration for male applicants born after 12/31/59.
• Credit check:
  Must not have delinquent federal or state taxes or past‑due child support.
• Residency:
  Resided within United States for three of the last five years.

Full‑time Positions

• 40 hours per week.
• Shift work on any day from Sunday through Saturday, including irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended shifts and weekend shifts, changing shifts, and split shifts.

Part‑time Positions

• 16‑32 hours per week.
• Shift work on any day from Sunday through Saturday, similar to full‑time schedule.

• Completing classroom training, on‑the‑job training and all initial certification testing.
• Recurrent and specialized training and recertification tests on a periodic basis.
• Passing background investigations, including criminal and credit checks, and all randomly administered drug and alcohol screening tests.

Benefits
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, long‑term care insurance; retirement plan;
Thrift Savings Plan; flexible spending account; employee assistance program; personal leave days; paid federal holidays; flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health & wellness programs; and fitness centers.

© 2025 U.S. Federal Government. Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO.