Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus up to $2,000

Job summary

Transportation Security Administration seeks Transportation Security Officers to protect travelers and airports in Des Moines. You will operate screening equipment, screen passengers and baggage, and enforce security procedures with courtesy and professionalism.

The role offers a pay range of $46,479 to $57,306 per year, with locality pay and a sign-on bonus of up to $2,000. Applications close 2026-09-30; open to Public hiring path at DSM (Des Moines).

Responsibilities

• Operate screening equipment and technologies to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers.
• Conduct searches and screening, including pat-downs and bag searches.
• Control terminal entry and exit points and interact with the public.
• Maintain focus in a stressful environment to identify threats and make quick decisions.
• Apply risk-based security screening protocols as required.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures and adapt to changes.

Job description

• Hiring Agency: Transportation Security Administration
• Department: Department of Homeland Security

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/or anything that includes or impacts our transportation systems.

Key Responsibilities

Salary Information: The salary range for Des Moines, IA (DSM - Des Moines International Airport) is $46,479 to $57,306 or $22.27 to $27.46 per hour and includes locality pay of 18.01%. Sign-on Bonus: The Transportation Security Administration is offering a sign-on bonus of up to $2,000 for this location; paid out in two installments during the first 12 months of service.

The amount of the airport's sign-on bonus is subject to change or elimination based on operational needs, however, any applicable sign-on bonus amount will be communicated and agreed upon during the final job offer process. This Transportation Security Officer position is located in Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

As a Transportation Security Officer (TSOs) within Security Operations (SO), you will provide security and protection of air travelers, airports and aircraft in a courteous and professional manner. Duties may include but are not limited to: Operating various screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo and on passengers, and preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft.

Performing searches and screening, which may include 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. 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 which includes noise from alarms, machinery and people, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive and angry passengers, in order to preserve the professional ability to identify and locate potentially life threatening or mass destruction devices, and to make effective decisions in both crisis and routine situations.

Engaging in continuous development of critical thinking skills, necessary to mitigate actual and potential security threats, by identifying, evaluating, and applying appropriate situational options and approaches. This may include application of risk-based security screening protocols that vary based on program requirements.

Retaining and implementing knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrating responsible and dependable behavior, and is open to change and adapts to new information or unexpected obstacles. Realistic Job Preview: The Realistic Job Preview gives you an honest, objective and vivid portrait of what it means to work as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) and provides employee testimonies about both the good and the challenging aspects of being a TSO.

To view the video, please Click Here. If a sufficient number of applications are received, the announcement may close before the published closing date. NOTE: Employees occupying frontline positions, i.e., individuals occupying positions that involve contact with the traveling public on a regular and recurring basis, may be required to wear TSA approved and issued personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE includes TSA issued surgical masks, face shields, and nitrile gloves.

At TSA, the health and safety of our employees is a top priority.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $46479 – $57306/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-09-30.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.