Transportation Security Specialist-Explosives (TSS-E)

Transportation Security Administration

Hebron Estates (KY)

On-site

USD 111,000 - 144,000

Full time

10 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term care insurance

Retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance Program

Personal leave days

Paid federal holidays

Flexible work schedules

Situational telework

Tuition reimbursement

Transportation subsidies

Uniform allowance

Health and wellness programs

Fitness centers

Job summary

The Transportation Security Administration is seeking a Transportation Security Specialist-Explosives (TSS-E) at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) within the DHS framework. This expert role focuses on explosives threats, IED detection, and risk mitigation to protect travelers and airport operations.

You will mentor frontline staff, coordinate with teams, and lead training on explosive detection and related components, contributing to a secure, compliant screening

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.
Coordinating and collaborating with other TSS-E staff and threat programs.
Mentoring and training the front line screening workforce to increase operational knowledge of explosives and IED components.

Job description

Transportation Security Specialist-Explosives (TSS-E)

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

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

Key Responsibilities

This Transportation Security Specialist-Explosives (TSS-E) position is located at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), 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. Coordinating and collaborating with other TSS-E staff, the screening workforce, and other Threat Assessment Programs such as the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program, Specialized Screening Operations, and the Standards and Effectiveness Branch.

Acting as a mentor and trainer to lower banded TSS-Es to resolve any issues, support their professional growth, and to support their success in assessing and resolving alarms. 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 for remediation, and identifying potential security vulnerabilities. Mentoring and training the front line screening workforce to increase their operational knowledge of explosives and IED components. Facilitating IED training aid drills to act as a force multiplier for dissemination of threat information.

Spearheading efforts to integrate and familiarize local Bomb Squads and military EOD units to the transportation environment 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.

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
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.

flexible work schedules
situational telework may be permitted in accordance with departmental policy telework
tuition reimbursement
transportation subsidies
uniform allowance
health and wellness programs
fitness centers

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 $110865 – $144126/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Secret security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-30.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.