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.

The salary range for Missoula, MT (MSO – Missoula Montana Airport) is $46,105 to $56,844 (or $22.09 to $27.24 per hour). The range includes locality pay of 17.06%.

TSA is offering a sign‑on bonus of up to $2,000 for this location. The bonus is paid in two installments during the first 12 months of service. The amount may change or be eliminated as operational needs shift.

At this time, this airport is only seeking qualified female candidates to meet mission‑related staffing needs. Male applicants may apply, but will not be considered until staffing needs change.

• 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 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.
• Engage 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.
• Retain and implement knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrate responsible and dependable behavior, and be open to change and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles.

Must meet and maintain physical requirements, including an assessment of physical abilities, including but not limited to:

• Maintain physical agility to ensure ability to squat and bend.
• Ability to repeatedly lift and manipulate baggage, containers, weighing approximately 50 lbs, 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).

• 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.

• Occasional Travel: A minimum of three (3) weeks of travel in a full‑time duty status may be required to complete TSA’s New‑Hire training. Training may require up to six (6) weeks of full‑time duty status travel.
• Selective Service Registration: Verification of Selective Service registration is required for male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Credit Check: Applicants must not have delinquent federal or state taxes, or past‑due child support payments.
• Residency Requirement: Applicants must have resided within the United States for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying. Exceptions exist for certain foreign service or study circumstances.

TSOs must adhere to the current Master Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Restrictions on visible piercings and tattoos are specified. Tattoos that are indecent or associated with extremist organizations must be covered at all times.

• Full‑tim…