Lead Transportation Security Officer

Duties

This Lead Transportation Security Officer position is located at Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO), you will be responsible for mitigating actual and potential threats against civil aviation and other transportation modes. You will also perform and supervise in your area of specialty, which may include Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and Lead Transportation Security Officers (LTSOs) in the performance of all security functions related to the screening of people, property, and cargo through the use and application of procedures, techniques, and technology. In addition, you will make independent, security-based decisions using intelligence, critical thinking, experience, observation, and passenger engagement. Typical duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting and supervising subordinate employees in conducting pre-board security screening of persons, their carry-on and checked baggage/cargo.
• Overseeing screening checkpoint(s) and/or baggage screening operations on a day-to-day basis to include equipment, personnel, and the scheduling and rotation of personnel.
• Participating in the development of new policies and procedures, and recommending changes in policy and procedures based on observation of work, as required.
• Participating in the development of strategic planning initiatives, workforce planning, succession planning initiatives, and other reports and documents for TSA and superiors.
• Engaging in continuous development of critical thinking skills necessary to mitigate security threats by identifying, evaluating, and applying appropriate situational options and approaches.
• Preparing various types of communications such as morning briefings, checkpoint logs, reports, and documents that are germane to the work performed.
• Developing incident information and reports for Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) and superiors.

Supervisory/Managerial duties include serving as a first line supervisor for the organization. This includes, but is not limited to: assigning work, setting priorities, and reviewing and evaluating work and performance of subordinates; approving leave; coaching and developing employees; recommending corrective or disciplinary actions; resolving routine problems that typically impact the objectives of the organizational unit; when required, coordinating with customers outside the immediate organization; supervising employees performing special program work; and serving as the supervisor-in-charge of an assigned airport or other transportation terminal.

Bargaining Unit Status: This position is in the bargaining unit for which the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the exclusive representative.

NOTE: Employees occupying frontline positions, i.e., individuals performing security screening operations and occupying positions that involve contact with the traveling public on a regular and recurring basis, are required to wear TSA approved and issued personal protective equipment (PPE). This requirement is in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic and comply with Executive Order 13991 and TSA's Pandemic and Emerging Infectious Disease and Workforce Protection Plan. PPE includes TSA issued surgical masks, face shields, and nitrile gloves. At TSA, the health and safety of our employees is a top priority.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
• Complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI).
• Pass pre-employment Drug Screening AND you will be subject to post-employment random drug and alcohol testing.
• Selective Service registration is required.
• Must be available to work various shifts and overtime, as needed.
• Must meet and maintain medical requirements for screening work (including a medical examination and physical abilities assessment) including, but not limited to, the following:
  • Be able to efficiently and thoroughly manipulate and lift baggage, containers, and other objects subject to security processing
  • Be able to repeatedly lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds
  • Be able to maintain physical agility that would allow you to squat, bend, and lean to inspect individuals and baggage/cargo
  • Be able to maintain the ability to walk up to two miles during a shift and stand for prolonged periods (e.g., 3-4 hours) of time
  • Be able to maintain a measured threshold for sight: Distance vision correctable to 20/30 or better in the best eye and 20/100 or better in worst eye. Near vision correctable to 20/40 or better Snellen binocular
  • Maintain a measured threshold for hearing: Average hearing loss of 25 decibels (ANSI) at 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz in each ear. No greater than 45 decibels at 4000 and 6000 Hz in each ear
  • Be able to distinguish principal colors that will be a part of images displayed on automated screens: Color perception (e.g., red, green, blue, yellow, orange, purple, brown, black, white, gray). Note: Color filters for enhancing color discrimination are prohibited.
• This position is designated as an Emergency Essential (EE) position. This designation requires the employee to remain in a duty status if an emergency arises.

If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

This position is in the bargaining unit for which the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the exclusive representative.

Qualifications

To qualify for the SV-F Pay Band (equivalent to GS-9), you must have:

• Minimum experience/education requirements:
  • A high school diploma, or General Educational Development (GED); High School Equivalency Test (HiSET); or Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) high school equivalency certificate; OR
  • At least one year of full-time work experience in security work, aviation screener work, or X-ray technician work.

AND

• One year of specialized experience which has equipped the individual with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position being filled, and that is typically in or related to the work of the TSO. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to the D pay band level or above. Such specialized experience would include:
  • Providing frontline security protection of air travelers, airports and airplanes.
  • Performing pat down searches, operating an x-ray machine, screening baggage, and reviewing tickets.
  • Identifying dangerous objects on passengers and/or in baggage or cargo, and preventing these objects from being transported onto aircraft.
  • Using diverse electronic detection and imaging equipment.

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 (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Additional information

This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) location has a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) of 1.49%, which is not included in the salary range listed above.

A relocation incentive of $5,000 is authorized for Lead Transportation Security Officers (LTSOs), who relocate to Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) in Fairbanks, AK. The employee will receive the first 60% ($3,000) installment on or before effective date (this date not to be set prior to 60 days of relocation). The second 40% ($2,000) installment will be paid upon proof of the establishment of new residency.

Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: www.opm.gov/

To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position.

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify , including your rights and responsibilities.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment , and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence.

More than one position may be filled from this announcement.

If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement.

Client-provided location(s): Fairbanks, AK

Job ID: TSA-852499800

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Posted: 2025-12-16T20:32:05