Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives

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).

This Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives position is located at Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport (BUR), 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.

You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National. You must have reached the minimum entry age of 18 years at the time of application. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level security clearance. Selective Service registration is required. You must pass pre-employment Drug Screening AND you will be subject to post-employment random drug and alcohol testing. You must meet and maintain medical requirements as stated in the TSA Medical Guidelines for Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (for more information, click here). You must be available to work various shifts and overtime, as needed. You must be willing to undertake extensive travel, at times overnight, as required. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.