Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Officer – Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

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 any activity that includes or impacts our transportation systems.

For Nashville, TN (BNA – Nashville International Airport): $47,931 to $59,096 (GS‑5/6) or $22.97 to $28.32 per hour, which includes a 17.06% locality adjustment and a 5% retention incentive (contingent on annual funding).

• Operating various screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers, preventing objects from being transported onto aircraft.
• Performing searches and screening, which may include physical interaction with passengers (e.g., pat‑downs, search of property), conducting bag searches, lifting/carrying bags and bins 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 (alarms, machinery, crowd noise, time pressure, disruptive passengers) to identify and locate potential threats and make effective decisions in both crisis and routine situations.
• Engaging in continuous development of critical thinking skills to mitigate actual and potential security threats by applying appropriate situational options and approaches, including risk‑based security screening protocols.
• Retaining and implementing knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrating responsible and dependable behavior, and adapting to new information or unexpected obstacles.

View the Realistic Job Preview video and employee testimonies here: .

• You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
• You must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
• Selective Service registration is required.
• 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 required.
• Must be proficient 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 this position.

• Maintain agility to squat and bend.
• Repeatedly lift and manipulate baggage and containers weighing approximately 50 lbs.
• Walk up to 3 miles during a shift and stand for prolonged periods (up to 4 hours).

To qualify for the SV‑D pay band (GS‑5/6), you must meet one of the following:

• 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 certificate.

• Occasional travel: minimum 3 weeks of travel in full‑time duty status may be required for new‑hire training; travel may extend to 6 weeks.
• Selective Service registration verification required for male applicants born after 12/31/59.
• Credit check:
  Applicants must have no delinquent federal or state taxes or past‑due child support.
• Residency:
  Applicants must have resided within the United States for 3 of the last 5 years immediately prior to applying, unless an exception applies.
• Re‑employed annuitants: former Federal or Postal Service employees receiving a civilian retirement annuity may have salary reduced accordingly.

TSOs must adhere to the current Master Collective Bargaining Agreement. Visible piercings and tattoos must be concealed or meet specified criteria. Non‑protruding ear gauges or similar piercings are permitted within size limits.

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