Transportation Security Inspector

Duties
As a Transportation Security Inspector – Cargo for the Office of Security Operations (OSO), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you will work under supervision with responsibility for ensuring security compliance of persons and aviation transportation regulated under Title 49 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 1500 series. You will assist in the administration of critical and complex compliance and enforcement programs designed to ensure secure aviation cargo transportation and to protect the nation’s public from terrorism, or other acts of sabotage to aviation cargo systems, facilities, and networks. As a TSI, you will progress and develop expertise in aviation cargo security compliance and, as needed, will be cross-trained to perform support functions in Aviation or Surface Inspection. Duties include:

• Identifying and responding to security violations or potential violations.
• Responding to transportation security incidents and other incidents as defined by the National Incident Management Systems or as directed by the Federal Security Director (FSD).
• Assisting in conducting comprehensive inspections of all parties, airports and aircraft operators and indirect air carriers, subject to Federal regulations involving transportation security.
• Assisting in performing technical reviews, analyzing and making appropriate recommendations concerning security measures promulgated through TSA approved security programs.
• Assisting in the performance of complex and technical inspections of all regulated parties to determine overall security posture and compliance.
• Monitoring compliance with applicable security policies, regulations, and agreements to identify potential problem areas or deviations from prescribed standards.
• Providing assistance in ensuring overall adequacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of security posture and TSA approved security programs.
• Assisting in planning and conducting outreach to encourage best security practices by regulated and non-regulated entities.
• Participating in performing tests and audits, validating and inspecting security processes, procedures, systems and equipment in connection with compliance inspections and vulnerability assessments.
• Providing input to written analyses of inspections, assessments, and determines the adequacy of corrective measures required to improve security posture or to restore compliance.
• Conducting civil investigations related to alleged or suspected security violations.
• Identifying, collecting, and preserving evidence used to support enforcement actions.
• Assisting in determining when enforcement action should be initiated, preparing enforcement investigation reports and recommending to TSA counsel the type of action and level of penalty commensurate with the nature and severity of the violation.
• Providing testimony and participating in enforcement proceedings.
• Entering data pertinent to investigations, inspections and incidents into the national database, Performance and Results Information Systems (PARIS).
• Assisting in reviewing and analyzing assessment reports and testing results with specific attention to identifying unusual trends or actions which appear to have the potential for developing a security/safety problem.
• Assisting in formulating recommended or alternative courses of action to be pursued by regulated parties in order to satisfy security requirements.
• Assisting in the evaluation and the integration of new technology, traditional measures, and human factors to assure operational effectiveness and efficiency of the overall security system.
• Assisting in the development of circulars and letters of instruction to airports and air carriers.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

• Occasional Travel
• A minimum of one (1) week of travel in a full-time duty status will be required within 90-days of entry on duty to complete TSA’s in residence New Hire Training. This training will occur away from the employee’s duty station of record. Employees will be paid for compensable hours and reimbursed for authorized travel expenses per TSA Travel Policy.

Job Requirements
Job Requirements
Key Requirements

• You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
• You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI).
• Must pass pre-employment drug screening AND random drug/alcohol testing.
• Selective Service registration is required.
• You must successfully complete TSI Core Training.
• See additional “Conditions of Employment” and “Other Information” sections.

Qualifications
To qualify for the SV-H Pay Band
(equivalent to the GS-11/12), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-G or GS-9 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector.
Specialized experience
is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience includes conducting inspections and investigations, assisting in testing aviation cargo security systems, assisting with determining when enforcement action should be taken, and documenting the results to monitor compliance with policies, regulations and agreements to identify potential problem areas and deviations from prescribed standards.

OR

Achievement of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study which is in or directly related to this position.

OR

Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

OR

LL.M., if related.

OR

Combining Education and Experience
:
Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education, beyond the second year, and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for this position, and may be computed by first determining your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the band level; then determining your education as a percentage of the education required for the band level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent.

GRADUATE EDUCATION
:
Education at the graduate level in an accredited college or university in the amounts indicated above meets the requirements for this position. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one year of full-time study requirement.

Note:
For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

NOTE:
Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

Transportation Security Inspector Core Training
(unless previously successfully completed):
The selectee will be required to complete all four phases of the Transportation Security Inspector Core Training to include; Phase 1, pre-work to establish a baseline understanding of the Areas of Responsibility for a TSI. Phase II, Transportation Security Inspector, Basic Course, a 5-week course at the TSA Academy, Glynco, Georgia. Phase III, OJT Training, a 4 to 6-month program to evaluate the competencies learned in Phase II using demonstration/performance methods at a field location. And, Phase IV, Capstone, a 2-week course that evaluates skills in the collection of evidence and Enforcement Investigative Reporting. This Core training provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to conduct Airport, Aircraft Operator, and Screening Assessments, including using legal and regulatory documents that govern civil aviation security.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Conditions of Employment:
Working conditions include but are not limited to arduous conditions such as traversing rough terrain and uneven surfaces, prolonged standing, bending, and stooping to observe work operations, ability to climb into aircraft baggage holds, rail cars, aircraft and other transportation equipment. Other conditions include:

• Work may require driving or traveling by motor vehicle and occasionally involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risk or discomforts that require special safety precautions.
• You must pass a Background Investigation (BI) and maintain eligibility for a clearance at the Secret level.
• You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
• You must pass pre-employment drug screening AND you will be subject to post-employment random drug and alcohol testing.
• You must successfully complete Transportation Security Inspector Core Training.
• You must be willing to undertake extensive travel, at times overnight, as required.
• You must hold a valid driver’s license.
• You must pass pre-employment drug screening AND you will be subject to post-employment random drug and alcohol testing.
• You must be available for “on call” work and be available for duty within the U.S. and possibly worldwide to protect U.S. transportation interests.
• You must be available to work various shifts, including frequently changing and uncommon tours of duty.
• You must be physically able to work outdoors often under adverse weather conditions. May have to lift and carry heavy items or supplies up to 100 feet. Work requires walking, bending, and standing.

Security Clearance
Secret

Additional Information
Additional Information
What To Expect Next
The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job, and will be used to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We will notify you of the outcome of these steps when they have been completed. You may also check your application status by visiting the
Candidate Dashboard.

BENEFITS

Review our benefits

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; 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,
click here
.

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.

Other Information
Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer “Competitive Status” that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at:
http://www.opm.gov
.

To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position.

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about
E-Verify
including your rights and responsibilities.

TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence.

It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual’s employment experience will be used only to determine the person’s qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual’s personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.