Transportation Security Officer (TSO)

Job Title: Transportation Security Officer (TSO)
Department: Department Of Homeland Security
Agency: Transportation Security Administration
Sub Agency: DHS - Transportation Security Administration
Job Announcement Number: BRW-F09-F001


SALARY RANGE: $33,367.00 - $50,051.00 /year
OPEN PERIOD: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 to Monday, April 11, 2011
SERIES & GRADE: SV-1802-D/D
POSITION INFORMATION: Full-Time Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: EDUTY LOCATIONS:
many vacancies - Barrow, AK
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: Open to All U.S. Citizens and U.S. Nationals.
DUTY LOCATION IS BARROW, ALASKA

For further information concerning U.S. citizenship, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.

Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

JOB SUMMARY:
DUTY LOCATION IS BARROW, ALASKA
The salary range listed includes locality pay of 16.46% and COLA pay of 12.28%.

The salary range listed is for a full-time position.  If you are
applying to a part-time position, your salary will be pro-rated
based upon the actual number of hours worked.

Securing Travel, Protecting People:  At the
Transportation Security Administration, we serve in a high-stakes
environment to safeguard the American way of life.  In cities across
the country, we secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and
public transit systems.  We protect our transportation infrastructure
from terrorist attack and ensure freedom of movement for people and
commerce.

At TSA, we act swiftly and with integrity to:

Discover and stop emerging transportation security threats,
utilizing state of the art technology

Educate and provide friendly customer service to travelers

Screen passengers and gather intelligence

Coordinate security involving aviation, rail, and other surface
and maritime transportation

Oversee most transportation-related responsibilities of the
federal government during a national emergency

Please read all the information provided in this announcement to
ensure that you meet the qualifications, understand the key
requirements and are able to perform the physically demanding duties
of this job. Visit https://hraccess-assessment.tsa.dhs.gov/TSOFAQs/BackgroundRequirements.pdf/
for more information regarding the TSO eligibility standards.

Per TSA Management Directive 1100.61-1, Transportation Security
Officer (TSO) positions have been designated as emergency/essential.
This means that in the event of an emergency, including adverse
weather conditions, individuals occupying emergency/essential
positions may be required to continue working.  These individuals
will not be dismissed or excused from any responsibilities due to the
need to continue TSA operations during emergency situations.  This
also means that emergency/essential employees could be ordered to
report for duty based on operational needs.

Position Location:
US Department of Homeland Security
Transportation Security Administration
Security Operations at Wiley Post/Will Rogers Memorial Airport
Duty Location: Barrow, Alaska

TSA has approved the payment of a biweekly retention incentive at
this location in order to recruit and retain highly qualified
employees.  The retention incentive is based on 25% of basic pay; and
indefinite continuation of the payment is contingent upon approved
funding.

For more information on working at this airport, please visit
https://hraccess-assessment.tsa.dhs.gov/AirportFAQs/BRW.pdf/.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:
Must be a US Citizen or US National; be 18 years old at time of application
Be proficient in English; have customer service skills
Dependable & operate with integrity; repeatedly lift/carry up to 70 pounds
Maintain focus & awareness within a stressful environment
Meet job-related medical standards and pass background investigation
See Qualifications and Evaluations for additional requirements.


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Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:

many vacancies - Barrow, AK


You will perform a variety of duties related to providing security
and protection of air travelers, airports and aircraft.  As a TSO,
you may be required to perform passenger screening, baggage
screening or both. You are expected to perform all of these duties
in a courteous and professional manner.  The principal duties and
responsibilities include the following:

Perform security screening:

Of persons, including tasks such as: hand-wanding (which
includes the requirement to reach and wand the individual from the
floor to over head), pat-down searches, and monitoring walk-through
metal detector screening equipment

Of property, including the operation of x-ray machines to
identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo and on passengers; and
preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft

Control entry and exit points

Continuously improve security screening processes and personal
performance through training and development

TSOs MUST be willing and able to:

Repeatedly lift and carry up to 70 pounds;

Continuously stand between one (1) to four (4) hours without a
break to carry out screening functions;

Walk up to two (2) miles during a shift;

Communicate with the public, giving directions and responding to
inquiries in a professional and courteous manner;

Maintain focus and awareness and work within a stressful
environment which includes noise from alarms, machinery, and people,
distractions, time pressure, disruptive and angry passengers, and
the requirement to identify and locate potentially life threatening
devices and devices intended on creating massive destruction;
and,

Make effective decisions in both crisis and routine
situations.

Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Have reached his/her 18th birthday at the time of application submission;

Be proficient in English (e.g., reading, writing,
speaking, and listening);

Have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent; OR

Have at least one year of full-time work experience in security
work, aviation screener work, or X-ray technician work.

Applicants must also possess the following job-related knowledge,
skills, and abilities (selective factors):

PHYSICAL ABILITY:  This position requires employees to be
willing and able to: repeatedly lift and carry baggage weighing up
to 70 pounds; bend, reach, stoop, squat, stand, and walk;
continuously stand between one and four hours without a break to
carry out screening functions; and walk up to two miles during a
shift.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  TSOs 
are required to communicate with the public, giving directions and
responding to inquiries in a professional and courteous manner.
Applicants must possess customer service skills, be dependable and
operate with integrity.

FOCUS & MENTAL ABILITY:  TSOs must be able to maintain focus
and awareness and work within a stressful environment. The position
requires employees to make effective decisions in both crisis and
routine situations. Necessary skills include visual observation and
x-ray interpretation. The work environment includes noise from
alarms, machinery, and people, distractions, time pressure,
disruptive and angry passengers, and the requirement to identify and
locate potentially life threatening devices and devices intended on
creating massive destruction.


MEDICAL STANDARDS:  All TSOs must meet job-related medical
standards that will be assessed in a pre-employment medical
evaluation that considers relevant aspects of all body systems
(e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, auditory,
etc.). These medical standards include but are not limited to:


Visual ability including two functioning eyes with: a)
distance vision correctable to 20/30 or better in the best eye and
20/100 or better in the worse eye, b) near vision correctable to
20/40 or better binocular, and c) color perception (e.g., red,
green, blue, yellow, orange, purple, brown, black, white,
gray). Color filters (e.g., contact lenses) for enhancing color
discrimination are prohibited;

Hearing ability (corrected or uncorrected) as measured by
audiometry cannot exceed: a) an average hearing loss of 25 decibels
(ANSI) at 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000Hz in each ear, and b) single
reading of 45 decibels at 4000 and 6000 Hz in each ear;

Adequate joint mobility, dexterity and range of motion,
strength, and stability to repeatedly lift and carry up to 70
pounds; and

Blood pressure not to exceed 140 / 90.

These requirements comply with the Aviation and Transportation
Security Act (ATSA Public Law 107-71 (PDF* 174KB), and are required
for safe and effective job performance. For more information and what
it means to you, please visit:

http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/Aviation_and_Transportation_Security_Act_ATSA_Public_Law_107_1771.pdf.

Conditions of Employment:

To be considered for initial employment, you must also pass a
pre-employment drug screening test and a background investigation,
including a criminal check and a credit check.

This is a non-critical sensitive National Security position that
requires you to be fingerprinted, photographed, and complete
appropriate security paperwork, including a SF-86 Questionnaire for
National Security Positions.  The pre-employment background
investigation must be COMPLETED with favorable results prior
to a final offer of employment and cannot be initiated until
submission of a completed questionnaire.


If your credit check reveals any of the following, YOU WILL NOT 
BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS POSITION:


Defaulted on $7,500 or more in debt (excluding certain
circumstances of bankruptcy).

Owe any delinquent Federal or State taxes.

Owe any past due child support payments.

You must pass all initial training requirements including 56-72
hours of classroom training, 112-128 hours of on-the-job training,
and all initial certification testing.

NOTE: Initial training may require you to travel for up to two weeks
on a full-time schedule.


To maintain employment, you must continue to meet all
qualification requirements described above and agree to:


Participate in and pass random drug screening tests; and pass
all recurrent background investigations, including a criminal check
and credit check.

Participate in and pass all recurrent and specialized training
and recertification tests on a periodic basis.

Demonstrate daily a fitness for duty without impairment due to
illegal drugs, sleep deprivation, medication, or alcohol.

Failure to meet these requirements mandates removal from security
screening and may result in termination of employment.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications may be invited to
take the computerized Screener Assessment Battery.  These tests
evaluate English proficiency, and the aptitude for x-ray
interpretation.

If you pass the computerized Screener Assessment Battery, you will
be eligible to be scheduled for additional assessments.  Additional
assessments include:  (1) a color vision test; (2) a job-related
medical evaluation; (3) a drug test; and (4) a structured interview.
In addition you may undergo a personal interview.  If you
successfully pass each of the above assessments, you will be
considered further for employment.  Preference will also be afforded
to veterans (under Title V and ATSA) when candidates are referred
for consideration and in the selection process.

TSA will not pay any pre-employment travel expenses (e.g., travel
to and from testing, medical examination facilities and assessment
sites).  As part of your processing you will be required to travel
to a TSA specified medical facility within the commuting area of the
airport for which you applied.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you take the computerized Screener
Assessment Battery and do not pass, you must wait six (6) months
before you can be tested again. Also, if you fail any of the other
assessments, you cannot be re-assessed for a TSO position for a
minimum of six (6) months after the date you failed.

Referral and Consideration:

Note:  TSA has a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)
requirement for gender requiring a certain percentage of male and
female passenger screeners for gender-based pat downs.  In airports
where there is a BFOQ, the needed gender will be provided preference
in the referral and scheduling process.  It is to your advantage to
apply early.

Applicants who apply for multiple TSO vacancy
announcements/positions will receive consideration for all
vacancies/positions for which they qualify.  Once a TSO position is
offered and accepted by a candidate, they will be removed from
consideration for any additional TSO positions.


Veterans' Preference: TSA will provide preference at the
point of selection to eligible veterans by applying veterans'
preference as defined in the Aviation and Transportation Security
Act (PL 107-71) and to those individuals eligible under the
provisions of title 5, United States Code (USC), Section 2108.

To be eligible for veterans' preference under Public Law 107-71
you must be a member or former member of the U.S. Armed Forces, and
entitled under statute to retired, retirement, or retainer pay.
Information on eligibility for veterans' preference under 5 USC 2108
can be found in VetsInfo Guide available on the Office of Personnel
Management's Web site at http://www.opm.gov/

You must identify your claim of veterans' preference on your
application. As part of the application process, you will be
required to provide proof of entitlement by submitting a copy of
your DD-214, Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty
(Member 4 copy) or other proof of entitlement.

SELECTIVE SERVICE:  TSA policy requires verification of
Selective Service registration for male applicants born after
12/31/59.  Generally, male applicants who knowingly fail to register
will be ineligible for employment with TSA.  To find out if you meet
the Selective Service registration requirement for TSA employment,
please visit our website at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/swf/Selective_Service_Program.swf

For information on registering with the Selective Service, visit the
Selective Service System Web site at http://www.sss.gov/ or contact them by telephone at
(847) 688-6888.
To preview questions please click here.

Benefits and Other Info

BENEFITS:
Benefits of Working for the TSA Transportation Security Officer
Service:

The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program has many
plans to choose from all at very reasonable rates, which can be paid
from pre-tax income. In addition, to further promote employee
wellness and affordable health coverage, part-time TSA TSOs are able
to take advantage of reduced FEHB premiums. TSA will pay the maximum
government contribution allowed for health benefits under the TSA
Health Benefit Incentive for Part-Time TSOs. All part-time TSOs will
pay the same lower cost for federal health benefits as full-time
employees. This means that TSA pays a greater portion of FEHB
premium costs for part-time TSOs.

The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) is one of the
premier retirement programs in the Nation. The program features
three components: a retirement pension; the Thrift Savings Plan (an
employee controlled investment program); and social security.

Federal Employee Group Life Insurance offers numerous life
insurance policy options covering employees and dependents.

The leave program offers exceptional time off benefits including
annual leave, sick leave, family medical leave, and 10 paid holidays
per year.

You may be eligible for career development and enrichment
training; family friendly policies; and Employee Assistance
Programs.

If you commute using public transportation, you may be eligible
for a transit subsidy.

OTHER INFORMATION:
Work Schedules: To determine the applicable work schedule,
please refer to the Position Information within
the Overview Tab to determine if this position is full time or part-
time.

Schedule Alternatives for Part-time Positions:  You could be
required to work any of the schedules listed below. Specific work
shifts and schedules will be determined by the airport.


Part-time (16-25) hours per week

Part-time work consists of shift-work on any day from Sunday
through Saturday, which may include irregular hours, nights,
holidays, overtime, extended shifts and weekend shifts, changing
shifts, and split shifts.
Part-time split shift is defined as any
two shifts, lasting at least two (2) hours each, in one 24-hour
period with a break of at least two (2) hours between shifts.
Exceptions - shifts to support morning, midday, and afternoon /
evening operations.

Schedule Alternatives for Full-time Positions:  You could be
required to work any of the schedules below. Specific work shifts
and schedules will be determined by the airport.

Full-time (40) hours per week

Full-time shift-work on any day from Sunday through Saturday,
which may include irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime,
extended shifts and weekend shifts, changing shifts, and split
shifts.

Full-time split shift is defined as any two shifts, lasting at
least two (2) hours each, in one 24-hour period with a break of at
least two (2) hours between shifts.  Exceptions - shifts to support
morning, midday, and afternoon / evening operations.

Full-time work consisting of a combination of the schedules
listed above.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If you are applying to part-time vacancy
announcement, please note that full-time schedules are listed for
informational purposes only and applicants must be aware that there
is no guarantee that full-time positions will become available at
the airport you are applying to.

Job Category:  Specialized

Permanent Change of Duty Station:  No relocation expenses
will be paid.

PLEASE NOTE:  This vacancy announcement is being used to fill
positions only at the airports listed in this vacancy announcement.
If you are interested in working at airports other than those
airports listed in this vacancy announcement, you may apply for
vacancies at other airports when those vacancies are advertised.  If
you wish receive electronic notification of new vacancies in your
areas of interest, please visit: http://media.newjobs.com/opm/www/usajobs/seeker_guides/
job_search_agent/Job%20Search%20Agents%20Tutorial.htm for
detailed instructions.

To view jobs available at TSA, please visit http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9tsa.asp.  Once
you've located the desired announcement, click the "Apply Online"
button to initiate the on-line application process.  If you need
assistance, you may call the TSA HRAccess Help Desk at 1-877-TSA-
7990 or TTY 1-877-872-7992.  Normal hours of operation are Monday -
Friday between the hours of 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Eastern Time, and
Saturday between the hours of 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Eastern Time.

Status and Eligibility to Apply for Other Federal Positions:
TSA is an excepted service agency exempt from most of title 5 United
States Code; therefore, employment with TSA does not confer the
"competitive status" that generally results from selection and
service in competitive service agencies.  Under the OPM-DHS
Interchange Agreement, permanent employees who have at least one
year of continuous service with TSA can apply and be considered for
positions in other Federal agencies open to current/former Federal
employees with competitive status.

For more information please visit http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/tsa_interchange_agreement.pdf.

How To Apply

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications will be accepted online until 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Standard Time on the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
However, if a sufficient number of applications have been received,
the announcement may be closed prior to the deadline. Therefore, we
recommend you submit your application early to ensure consideration.
Please click the "Apply Online" button below.

If you are unable to access the USAJOBS application system, your
account may be locked and your password will need to be re-set.
Please contact the USAJOBS Helpdesk at http://www.usajobs.gov/contact.asp.

There are three steps to the application process. You will be
required to complete all steps to be considered for this position.
PLEASE NOTE: Failure to submit the information outlined below will
render your application ineligible for consideration for this
position.

When submitting your application online:

Step #1: You MUST complete the online application by clicking
the "Apply Online" button at the bottom of the screen.

Step #2:  To complete the application process, you must enter
information into the resume field as required by USAJOBS.  You can
either create a resume within USAJOBS, or upload a resume. Please
follow the process outlined in USAJOBS for submitting your resume.

Step #3: Finally, supporting documentation must be submitted.
See Required Documents.

If you do not have access to a computer and you are unable to
apply online, you may submit a paper application and the required
forms. To do so, please contact:
TSA HRAccess Help Desk, at 1-877-TSA-7990, or by email at
Helpdesk@tsa-hraccess.com.

An "Employment Packet" will be sent to you, which includes the
vacancy announcement, the demographic questions, the core questions
and the vacancy specific questions.  The "Employment Packet" must be
completed and returned no later than the closing date (Eastern
Standard Time) of this vacancy announcement. Please note the
previous reference to the potential of this announcement closing
early if a sufficient number of applications are received.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
After completing the steps outlined above, the following documents
are required, if applicable.

If you are claiming tentative (VP) veteran preference, you MUST
provide a copy of your DD-214, certificate of release or discharge
from active duty, or other proof of entitlement.

If you are claiming veteran preference based upon compensable
disability, widow or spouse entitlement or purple heart receipt,
you MUST submit a copy of your DD-214, an SF-15, and
the required proof (i.e., Department of Veterans Affairs letter
dated 1991 or later, and the latest copy of report of separation
from active duty (DD-214) to establish proof of honorable
discharge).

If you are a current or former Federal employee, include your
most recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50.

The above documents should be faxed to the number shown on the fax
cover sheet which you can print from the application.  That fax
number is 1-571-258-4052.  It is imperative that you submit these
required forms by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to
prevent delays in the assessment process.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
TSA HRAccess Help Desk 
Phone: 1-877-TSA-7990 
Fax: 877-872-7993 
TDD: 877-872-7992 
Email: Helpdesk@TSA-HRAccess.com Agency Information:
DHS - Transportation Security Administration
Shared Service Center
2650 Park Tower Drive
Vienna, VA 22180 
Fax: 877-872-7993

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
After completion of the application process, you will be notified
regarding your status by e-mail if you applied online or by letter
if you completed an "Employment Packet."

Please be sure to check your e-mail on a regular basis for important
information regarding your application status and for specific
instructions about the hiring process.  Since some e-mail filters
consider a message from TSA to be spam or junk mail, you will want to
monitor those folders regularly too.  In order to help prevent these
important messages from being automatically removed from your inbox
you may also want to consider adding the following two e-mail
addresses to your contact list: correspondence@tsa-hraccess.com and
HelpDesk@TSA-HRAccess.com.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be notified and
scheduled to take the computerized Screener Assessment Battery in
accordance with the referral procedures listed in this vacancy
announcement.

Equal Employment Opportunity:  TSA is an Equal Opportunity
Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration without
regard to non-merit factors as race, color, religion, gender,
handicap, age, sexual orientation, national origin, political
affiliation, marital status, non-disqualifying disabilities,
membership or non-membership in an employee organization, personal
favoritism, protected genetic information, or status as a parent.
TSA does have requirements to provide same-gender screening to
travelers to protect their privacy.

Reasonable Accommodation:  TSA provides reasonable
accommodations for the computer based test to applicants with
disabilities (as defined under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973).  You
will receive information on how to request such accommodations if
you meet minimum qualifications and are invited to take the
computerized Screener Assessment Battery.  If you have questions
about the reasonable accommodations process, you may contact the TSA
HRAccess Help Desk.

Privacy Act Requirements:  The forms referenced in the
announcement are used to determine candidates' qualifications for
the position and are authorized in 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.