Lead / Supervisory Transportation Security Officer - Immediate Openings

Transportation Security Jobs; Merrifield (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

tuition support

transportation subsidies

uniform allowance

wellness programs

premium pay

Job summary

Transportation Security Administration in Merrifield, VA is seeking a Supervisory Transportation Security Officer to lead screening operations and manage teams on a full-time basis. You will assign work, review performance, and coordinate with airport partners to ensure compliance with TSA procedures and security standards across shifts.

The role requires leadership, experience in security operations, and the ability to respond to incidents, with scheduling that may include evenings, overnights,

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience supervising transportation-security operations.
• Six months of experience as a work leader, team leader, or supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Transportation Security Officers and Lead Transportation Security Officers.
• Oversee passenger, carry-on, checked baggage, or cargo-screening operations.
• Assign work, establish priorities, and coordinate rotations and coverage.
• Make security-based decisions using TSA procedures and judgment.
• Review performance and provide coaching and development feedback.
• Approve leave and address routine workplace concerns.
• Respond to security incidents and emergencies.
• Prepare briefings, checkpoint logs, and management communications.
• Coordinate with airport stakeholders and TSA leadership when required.
• Suggest improvements to screening procedures and staffing plans.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Team leadership

Security procedures

Tools

Operational protocols

Job description

Position Details

Location: Merrifield, VA

Employer: Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security

Pay: $21 – $34 per year

Pay Band: SV-F

Appointment Type: Fulltime

Transportation-security operations may continue around the clock. Depending on the vacancy, supervisors may be required to work early mornings, evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, federal holidays, or overtime. Refer to the official announcement for the exact work schedule.

What You May Do

• Supervise Transportation Security Officers and Lead Transportation Security Officers
• Oversee passenger, carry-on baggage, checked baggage, or cargo-screening operations
• Assign work, establish priorities, and coordinate employee rotations and coverage
• Make security-based decisions using TSA procedures, operational information, observation, and professional judgment
• Review employee performance and provide coaching, instruction, and developmental feedback
• Approve leave and address routine employee or workplace concerns
• Respond to security incidents, checkpoint disruptions, and emergency situations
• Prepare operational briefings, checkpoint logs, incident reports, and management communications
• Coordinate with airport stakeholders, law-enforcement personnel, and TSA leadership when required
• Recommend improvements to screening procedures, staffing plans, and airport operations

Experience Requirements

Applicants generally need at least one year of specialized experience that demonstrates the knowledge and judgment required to supervise transportation-security operations. Qualifying experience is typically related to work performed by a Transportation Security Officer or Lead Transportation Security Officer and must meet the pay-band level specified in the vacancy announcement.

Candidates must also generally have at least six months of experience as a work leader, team leader, or supervisor. This experience should demonstrate the ability to distribute workloads, train employees, maintain work records, monitor performance, and resolve routine workplace concerns. The leadership experience may have been gained during the same period as the specialized security experience.

Many Supervisory TSO vacancies are limited to current permanent or eligible temporary TSA employees. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility section of the active announcement before applying.

General Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
• Must be at least 18 years old when applying
• Must successfully complete the required background investigation
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the security clearance listed in the vacancy
• Must pass pre-employment drug screening and remain subject to applicable testing requirements
• Must meet TSA medical, vision, hearing, color-perception, and physical standards
• Must be available for varying shifts and overtime when required
• May be required to complete a one-year supervisory trial period
• Must remain available for duty during certain emergencies because this may be designated an Emergency Essential position

Physical Requirements

Although this is a supervisory position, STSOs remain involved in active screening operations. Candidates must be capable of repeatedly lifting and carrying baggage or other items weighing up to 50 pounds, standing for prolonged periods, walking up to two miles during a shift, and bending, leaning, or squatting during screening activities. Applicants must also meet the medical, hearing, vision, and color-perception standards required for security-screening work.

Federal Benefits

Eligible employees may receive federal benefits that include health, dental, vision, life, and long-term-care insurance; paid leave and federal holidays; participation in a federal retirement program and the Thrift Savings Plan; flexible spending accounts; employee-assistance resources; and career-development opportunities.

Other benefits may include

• tuition support
• transportation subsidies
• a uniform allowance
• wellness programs
• and applicable premium pay