Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 46,105 - 56,844; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus of up to $2,000

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Job summary

A federal security agency is seeking Transportation Security Officers in Missoula, MT, to ensure travelers' safety across transportation sectors. Responsibilities include operating screening equipment, performing passenger searches, and maintaining security awareness. Candidates must have relevant security experience and a high school diploma. The position offers a competitive salary and the possibility of a sign-on bonus. The agency emphasizes a commitment to meeting its staffing needs with qualified applicants.

Qualifications

• At least one year of full‑time work experience in the security industry or aviation screening.
• Must have a high school diploma, GED, HiSET, or TASC high school equivalency certificate.

Responsibilities

• Operate screening equipment to identify dangerous objects.
• Perform searches and screening, including physical interaction with passengers.
• Control terminal entry and exit points.
• Interact with the public and maintain awareness in stressful environments.
• Engage in continuous development of critical-thinking skills.

Skills

Security industry experience

X-ray technician experience

Critical thinking

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Summary

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 anything that includes or impacts our transportation systems.

Salary Information

The salary range for Missoula, MT (MSO – Missoula Montana Airport) is $46,105 to $56,844 (or $22.09 to $27.24 per hour). The range includes locality pay of 17.06%.

Sign‑On Bonus

TSA is offering a sign‑on bonus of up to $2,000 for this location. The bonus is paid in two installments during the first 12 months of service. The amount may change or be eliminated as operational needs shift.

EEO Statement

At this time, this airport is only seeking qualified female candidates to meet mission‑related staffing needs. Male applicants may apply, but will not be considered until staffing needs change.

Duties

• Operate various screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers, and prevent those objects from being transported onto aircraft.
• Perform 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 50 lbs.
• Control terminal entry and exit points.
• Interact with the public, give directions, and respond to inquiries.
• Maintain focus and awareness while working in a stressful environment that includes noise from alarms, machinery, people, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive 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.
• Engage 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.
• Retain and implement knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrate responsible and dependable behavior, and be open to change and adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles.

Physical Demands

Must meet and maintain physical requirements, including an assessment of physical abilities, including but not limited to:

• Maintain physical agility to ensure ability to squat and bend.
• Ability to repeatedly lift and manipulate baggage, containers, weighing approximately 50 lbs, and other objects subject to security processing.
• Ability to walk up to three (3) miles during a shift and stand for prolonged periods (up to 4 hours).

Qualifications

• 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 high school equivalency certificate.

Credit for experience is given based on a 40‑hour workweek. Part‑time experience is credited on a part‑time ratio.

Additional Requirements

• Occasional Travel: A minimum of three (3) weeks of travel in a full‑time duty status may be required to complete TSA’s New‑Hire training. Training may require up to six (6) weeks of full‑time duty status travel.
• Selective Service Registration: Verification of Selective Service registration is required for male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Credit Check: Applicants must not have delinquent federal or state taxes, or past‑due child support payments.
• Residency Requirement: Applicants must have resided within the United States for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying. Exceptions exist for certain foreign service or study circumstances.

Dress and Appearance Responsibilities

TSOs must adhere to the current Master Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Restrictions on visible piercings and tattoos are specified. Tattoos that are indecent or associated with extremist organizations must be covered at all times.

Work Schedules for Full‑time Positions

• Full‑time positions require 40 hours per week; shift work on any day from Sunday through Saturday, including irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended shifts, weekend shifts, changing shifts, and split shifts.
• A split‑shift consists of any two work shifts, each lasting at least two (2) hours in one 24‑hour period, with at least two (2) hours between work shifts.

Work Schedules for Part‑time Positions

• Part‑time shifts generally range from 16–32 hours per week.
• Part‑time work consists of shift work on any day from Sunday through Saturday, including irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended shifts, weekend shifts, changing shifts, and split shifts.
• A split‑shift consists of any two work shifts, each lasting at least two (2) hours in one 24‑hour period, with at least two (2) hours between work shifts.

Maintaining Employment

• Completing classroom training, on‑the‑job training, and all initial certification testing.
• Recurrent and specialized training and recertification tests on a periodic basis.
• Passing background investigations, including a criminal check and credit check, and all randomly administered drug and alcohol screening tests.

EEO and Anti‑Discrimination Policy

TSA may apply a sex‑specific (male or female) hiring preference to fill TSO positions in order to meet security mission and same‑sex pat‑down job‑related requirements. Candidates of the needed sex will be provided preference in the scheduling of the computer‑based aptitude test, airport assessments, processing, and selection.

The term "sex" refers to an individual's immutable biological classification as either male or female. It is not a synonym for or does not include the concept of "gender identity." The term "female" refers to a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell. The term "male" refers to a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the small reproductive cell.