Transportation Security Officer

Summary

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) 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/or anything that includes or impacts our transportation systems.

The salary range for Merced, CA (MCE – Merced Regional) is $57,637 to $71,063 (or $27.62 to $34.05 per hour) and includes locality pay of 46.34%.

• 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‑down, search of property, etc.), conducting bag searches and lifting/carrying bags, bins, and property weighing up to 50 lbs.
• 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.

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 . If a sufficient number of applications are received, the announcement may close before the published closing date.

• You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
• You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
• Selective Service registration is 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.
• Must be proficient in English (e.g., reading, writing, speaking, comprehending).
• 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 ensure ability to squat and bend.
• Ability to repeatedly lift and manipulate baggage, containers, weighing approximately 50 pounds and other objects subject to security processing.
• Ability to walk up to three (3) miles during a shift and stand for prolonged periods (up to 4 hours) of time.

To qualify for the SV‑D pay band (equivalent to the GS‑5/6), you must meet one of the qualification requirements (A OR

B) outlined below:

• Experience: At least one year of full‑time work experience in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X‑ray technician.
• Education: Have a 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, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

National Service Experience (volunteer experience) is also considered. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g.,…