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. Duties may also include securing high‑profile events, protecting important figures, and ensuring the safety of transportation systems.

The salary range for Williston, ND (XWA – Williston Basin International Airport) is $52,496 to $64,724 (or $25.15 to $31.01 per hour) and includes a locality pay of 17.06% and a retention incentive of 15% of adjusted pay.

The Transportation Security Administration offers a sign‑on bonus of up to $10,000, paid in two installments during the first 12 months of service.

• Operate screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers, preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft.
• Perform 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.
• 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, including noise from alarms, machinery, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive passengers, to identify and locate potentially life‑threatening devices and make effective decisions.
• Engage in continuous development of critical thinking skills needed to mitigate security threats by evaluating and applying appropriate situational options.
• Retain and implement knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrating responsible behavior and adaptability to new information.

• U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
• Minimum age of 18.
• 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 and occasional travel may be required.
• Exposure to potentially lethal devices and dangerous chemicals is inherent in the position.

• Maintain agility to squat and bend.
• Repeatedly lift and manipulate baggage and containers weighing approximately 50 pounds.
• Walk up to three miles during a shift and stand for up to four hours.

• Experience:
  
  at least one year of full‑time work in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X‑ray technician.
• OR
  
  Education:
  
  high school diploma, GED, HiSET, or TASC certificate.

• Occasional travel: a minimum of three weeks of travel in full‑time duty status for New Hire training, potentially up to six weeks.
• Selective Service registration verification for male applicants born after 12/31/59.
• Credit check: no delinquent federal or state taxes or child support arrears.
• Residency: reside in the United States for three of the last five years, with exceptions for certain federal service abroad.

• Full‑time positions: 40 hours per week, shift work from Sunday to Saturday, including irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended shifts, and split shifts.
• Part‑time positions: 16–32 hours per week with similar shift work.

DHS offers competitive salaries, a benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, and long‑term care insurance; retirement plan;
Thrift Savings Plan;
Flexible Spending Account;
Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; paid federal holidays; and additional benefits such as flexible work schedules, telework, tuition reimbursement, transportation subsidies, uniform allowance, health and wellness programs, and fitness centers.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces the laws that prohibit discrimination, and the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Homeland Security have established policies and procedures for the hiring, retention, and advancement of qualified applicants.