Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives

Transportation Security Administration; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 103,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

Thrift Savings Plan

Flexible Spending Account

Paid federal holidays

Job summary

The Transportation Security Administration seeks a Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (TSS-E) at George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) to serve as a journey-level subject matter expert on threats from explosives and IEDs.

Responsibilities include threat assessment, educating screening staff, supporting vulnerability assessments, and responding to alarms. This role requires a Secret clearance; applications close 2026-09-30, with two openings.

Responsibilities

• Serving as a key component of a multi-layered security approach.
• Applying experience and technical knowledge of explosives to assess threats.
• Educating the screening workforce in the detection of threats.
• Supporting explosive vulnerability assessments in all modes of transportation.
• Responding to and assessing all unresolved checkpoint and checked baggage alarms involving possible explosives, IED components or actual IEDs.
• Deploying in support of risk mitigation efforts to deter, detect, and prevent the introduction of IEDs, IED components or other deadly or dangerous items into the airport environment.
• Mentoring and training the front line screening workforce to increase their operational knowledge of explosives and IED components.

Job description

Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives

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

The Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (TSS-E) serves as a journey-level subject matter expert for the Federal Security Director (FSD) at designated airport(s) on all issues involving threats to the traveling public from explosives and Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs).

Key Responsibilities

This Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives position is located at George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH), Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Serving as a key component of a multi-layered security approach. Applying experience and technical knowledge of explosives to assess threats. Educating the screening workforce in the detection of threats.

Supporting explosive vulnerability assessments in all modes of transportation. Responding to and assessing all unresolved checkpoint and checked baggage alarms involving possible explosives, IED components or actual IEDs, rendering a final decision on alarm resolution. Assessing the interrelationships between initiators, power supplies, and chemicals. Determining if devices are improvised explosives, commercial explosives, or mixed explosives (fuel mixtures).

Deploying in support of risk mitigation efforts to deter, detect, and prevent the introduction of IEDs, IED components or other deadly or dangerous items into the airport environment. Participating with evaluation teams in conducting covert drills to determine effectiveness of the training programs, recommending individuals remediation, and identifying potential security vulnerabilities.

Mentoring and training the front line screening workforce to increase their operational knowledge of explosives and IED components. Emergency Essential Position: 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.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; situational telework may be permitted in accordance with departmental policy telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities.

For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.

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 $103225 – $134195/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Secret security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-09-30.

How many openings are available?

There are 2 openings for this position.

Who is eligible to apply?

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