Duties

Summary

Securing Travel, Protecting People - At the Transportation Security Administration, you will serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, you would secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and/or public transit systems, thus protecting America's transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce. For additional information about our agency please: Click Here

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As the Master Transportation Security Officer - Security Training Instructor (MTSO-STI) for Security Operations (SO), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you will support the airport training program through performance of a variety of training-related functions. In addition to training program responsibilities, you will also perform pre-board security screening of persons, cargo, carry-on, and checked baggage as directed by the Federal Security Director (FSD), or his/her designee, a minimum of 20% of the time. Specific program responsibilities include the following:

• Performing training instruction within established guidelines and standards in support of nationally developed training programs (e.g., new hire training, On-Screen Alarm Resolution Protocol, Crossover); supporting recurrent training needs, and conducting return to duty and remediation training.
• Adapting/developing local training materials to meet requirements; conducting local training in accordance with training standards; assisting with the training department administrative support (e.g., Online Learning Center (OLC) entry, training resource room facilitation, roster management, conducting testing, and ensuring evaluations are done); assisting with training logistics support components (e.g., coordinating needed supplies and materials); managing classroom dynamics; resolving routine classroom problems; monitoring and evaluating training and providing feedback on needed adjustments; recommending enhancements; and maintaining communication with management and supervisors concerning issues with training that may reveal security-screening weaknesses or vulnerabilities.
• As directed, providing mentoring/coaching to address identified training needs.
• Administering and scoring training tests (e.g., job knowledge, image).
• Assisting with PASS Practical Skills Observations (PSOs) and conducting Level 3 Assessments, as needed.

NOTE: Employees must maintain all screening certification requirements and perform screening functions (passenger, baggage, or both) a minimum of 20% of the time.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
F

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
• You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
• You must be able to obtain a Secret Clearance.
• Must pass pre-employment drug screening AND random drug/alcohol testing.
• Selective Service registration is required.
• See additional "Conditions of Employment" and "Other Information" sections

Minimum Entry Age Requirement: To be determined eligible applicants must have reached the minimum entry age of 18 years at the time their application is submitted and, if selected for the position, will be required to provide such proof prior to appointment.

Conditions of Employment: Appointment to this position is contingent upon a negative drug test result. Any individual tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Must meet and maintain medical requirements for screening work (including a medical examination and physical abilities assessment) including, but not limited to, the following:

• You must be able to efficiently and thoroughly manipulate and lift baggage, containers, and other objects subject to security processing;
• You must be able to repeatedly lift and carry items weighing up to 70 pounds;
• You must be able to maintain physical agility that would allow you to squat, bend, and lean to inspect individuals and baggage/cargo;
• You must be able to maintain the ability to walk up to two miles during a shift and stand for prolonged periods of time;
• You must be able to maintain a measured threshold for sight:
• Distance vision correctable to 20/30 or better in the best eye and 20/100 or better in worst eye. Near vision correctable to 20/40 or better binocular;
• You must maintain a measured threshold for hearing: Average hearing loss of 25 decibels (ANSI) at 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz in each ear. Single reading of 45 decibels at 4000 and 6000 Hz in each ear;
• You must be able to distinguish between different colors that will be a part of images displayed on automated screens: Color perception (e.g., red, green, blue, yellow, orange, purple, brown, black, white, gray). Note: Color filters for enhancing color discrimination are prohibited;
• You must be able to maintain eligibility for a security clearance;
• You must be able to maintain proficiency in all facets of assigned work sufficient to ensure recertification;
• You must be available to work various shifts and overtime, as needed;
• You must be proficient in English (e.g., reading, writing, speaking, listening);
• You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National;
• Exposure to potentially lethal devices and dangerous chemicals is inherent in this position; and
• You must pass pre-employment drug screening AND you will be subject to post-employment random drug and alcohol testing.

Qualifications

To qualify for the SV-F Pay Band (GS-9), you must meet the requirements listed below:

At least one year of experience functioning as a TSO equivalent to at least the D band level or above; and

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the D band level or above which included utilizing instructional methods to provide formal training or to teach others in prescribed or designated subjects or areas. Such experience may have been gained as a TSA Assistant Training Instructor (ATI) or in any other training/educational setting where instructional methods were utilized on a regular basis to teach/train in a classroom, laboratory, group, or on-the-job setting. Other examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to the following:

• Providing instructional guidance for conducting screening (e.g., x-ray, security, industry) or related collateral duties (e.g., OJT Coach).
• Teaching or instructing in an educational program: Primary/secondary school or undergraduate/graduate (college/university); military installation/academy, or industry establishment.
• Establishing or developing training/course materials, aids and devices and evaluation of training results.

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.

In order to be properly credited, any experience gained through assigned collateral duties or special assignment detail should be documented in the resume by indicating the period of time, i.e., the beginning date and the ending date, as well as the percentage of time performing the duties. For example: "Collateral Duty: Assistant Training Instructor (ATI) from Jan 2013 to Oct 2014 - 15 hours per week."

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

Education

Additional 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. For more information, click here .

Payment of relocation expenses (Permanent Change of Station) is not authorized.

Qualified non-competitive eligible candidates may be referred for consideration on a separate, unranked list.

More than one position may be filled from this announcement.

This position is within the Specialized category of TSA's Core Compensation Plan.

TSA policy requires verification of Selective Service registration for male applicants born after 12/31/59. For more information click here .

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.

Veterans and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the documentation that is required, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Bargaining Unit Status: This position is in the bargaining unit for which the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the exclusive representative.

This position is not covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay or Law Enforcement Retirement.

This is an Emergency Essential position.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The assessment process for the MTSO-STI is a multiple hurdle process. Initially, applicants will be evaluated/assessed through an on-line application process. Applicants will be asked a series of occupational assessment questions linked to the KSA/Competencies determined necessary for successful job performance. These questions will be used to rank applicants according to relative merit for this position. The most qualified candidates will be referred for further consideration through the remainder of the assessment process. Referred candidates will then be required to pass both the structured interview and training demonstration assessment phases. Only applicants successfully passing both phases will be referred for selection consideration. Structured interview and training demonstration assessment results will be good for six months.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates who become eligible for the structured interview and training demonstration assessments will be required to travel at their own expense to the assessment location. Selection for this position will be made only from among applicants possessing the best qualifications.
To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

Current TSA employees are not required to submit a SF-50 to support eligibility for consideration.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.