Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (TSS-E)
: Job Details :

SummarySecuring 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, thusprotecting America's transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce.Learn more about this agencyHelpOverview* Accepting applications* Open & closing dates12/09/2024 to 12/23/2024This job will close when we have received 150 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more* Salary$104,498 - $135,851 per yearSalary range listed includes Locality Pay of 18.05%.* Pay scale & gradeSV I* HelpLocation1 vacancy in the following location:* Albuquerque, NM* Remote jobNo* Telework eligibleNo* Travel RequiredOccasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.* Relocation expenses reimbursedNo* Appointment typePermanent* Work scheduleFull-time* ServiceExcepted* Promotion potentialNone* Job family (Series)* 1801 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series* Supervisory statusNo* Security clearanceSecret* Drug testYes* Position sensitivity and riskNoncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk* Trust determination process* Credentialing* Suitability/Fitness* National security* Financial disclosureNo* Bargaining unit statusNo* Announcement numberABQ-24-817###-####6230-ST* Control number822904500HelpThis job is open to* Federal employees - Competitive serviceCurrent or former competitive service federal employees.* Federal employees - Excepted serviceCurrent excepted service federal employees.* Veterans* Individuals with disabilities* Military spousesClarification from the agencyYou may apply if you are a Status Candidate (Current or Former Federal employee and VEOA) and/or a Non-Competitive Hiring Authority Eligible (Military Spouse and Individuals with Disabilities).HelpDutiesThis Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (TSS-E) position is located at Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ), 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.HelpRequirementsConditions of Employment* 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.QualificationsTo qualify for the SV-I Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13) you must have:* Completed formal accredited IED/bomb disposal coursework resulting in a Graduation Certificate from at least one of the accredited bomb disposal schools. The accredited bomb disposal schools are the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD) and the FBI's Hazardous Devices School (HDS)AND* One year of specialized experience at the SV-H or GS-12 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. Specialized experience is defined as:* Assisting with bomb program management responsibilities such as participating as a team member on a bomb squad to include ensuring program requirements were followed, making recommendations on procedures or helping implement processes under the direction of a program manager.* Responding to alarms involving possible explosives, IED components, or actual IEDs. Assessing the interrelationship between initiators, power supplies, switches, and chemicals to determine if the device is an improvised explosive, commercial explosive, or homemade explosive.Quality Ranking Factor: Specialized experience acquired within the last five years immediately preceding application has been identified as a Quality Ranking Factor for this position. This means that applicants who have specialized experience within the last five years will receive additional credit for this experience as part of the candidate evaluation process.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.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.The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.Resumes must include the following:* Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including the month and year) for work experience.* State the number of hours worked in a position (i.e. full-time or part-time). If part-time, state the total number of hours worked per week.* Performance level (i.e. band or grade)Utilizing the USAJOBS Resume Builder and completing all available fields is strongly encouraged.You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.Additional informationEligibility 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: 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.If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306 Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence.More than one position may be filled from this announcement.If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement.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, 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.Read more* BenefitsHelpA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.You will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of the experience and/or related education as reflected in your resume and supporting documentation. You are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show possession of the competencies required for this position. We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and any supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your category placement may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Grouping procedures. Under Category Grouping, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:* Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis.* Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis.* Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:* Ammunition and Explosives* Incident Management* Training InstructionYou may preview the questions for this vacancy here: BenefitsHelpA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.* Required DocumentsAs a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Documentation is needed to verify the eligibilities you are claiming.Resume: For qualification determinations, your resume must contain hours worked per week (part-time or full-time) and dates of employment (i.e. month/year - month/year or month/year - present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series, and grade (i.e. SV-0343-09) on Federal job entries included in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc. on your resume.Utilizing the USAJOBS Resume Builder and completing all available fields is strongly encouraged.Veterans: If claiming VEOA or Veterans Preference- submit a copy of the official DD-214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an Honorable or General discharge). If no DD-214 is available, please submit a memo/certification of military service as outlined in the VOW Act. This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2,4, or 7 of the DD-214. If claiming veterans' consideration which involves considering your disability rating, you must submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. Note: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15.Note: VOW Act Certification-- A certification is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.If the certification has expired; an agency must request other documentation (e.g., a copy of the DD form 214) that demonstrates the service member is a preference eligible per 5 U.S.C. 2108, before veterans' preference can be awarded.TSA Employees: Current TSA employees are strongly encouraged to submit the most recent non-Award SF-50, at the time of application, to support eligibility for Status consideration. TSA employees who do not submit the SF-50 with the application must document their current TSA position in their resume and may be required to provide the SF-50 document during the selection process. TSA employees may obtain a copy of their most recent non-Award SF-50 at or Former Federal Civilian employees (Non-TSA): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50 block 24 must contain a 1 or 2 AND block 34 must contain a 1 or 2. Individuals with Disabilities: Documentation of eligibility for employment under this hiring authority can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Documentation is used to verify that the individual being hired is indeed a person with an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability.Military Spouse Preference:If you are eligible based on one of the below, please submit the following:(1) spouse of an active-duty member of the armed forces: DD214 of spouse, marriage license, and PCS orders showing dependency (if applicable)(2) a spouse of a service member who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury: DD214 of spouse, marriage license, and VA Letter or disability determination showing 100%(3) spouse of a service member killed while on active duty: DD214 of spouse, marriage license, documentation from the Armed Forces casualty officeIf 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.* How to ApplyAll of the following must be received in our office by 11:59 PM EST (Eastern Standard time) on the closing date of this announcement. If we do not receive all required information by the closing date, your application may not be considered.To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. Your application must include:* Resume* Self-Assessment Questionnaire for this position* Applicable supporting documents (see Required Documents Section)To begin, click Apply to access the online application.* You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.* Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.* After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.* You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.* It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.* Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.* We encourage you to apply online. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact ...@tsa.dhs.gov .Agency contact informationHC ServeU Customer CareEmail ...@tsa.dhs.govAddress Albuquerque International Sunport - ABQDO NOT MAILAlbuquerque, NM 87106USLearn more about this agencyNext stepsThe 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.To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account ( all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: Fair and TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.* Criminal history inquiries* Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy* Financial suitability* New employee probationary period* Privacy Act* Reasonable accommodation policy* Selective Service* Signature and false statements* Social security number requestHelpRequired DocumentsThe following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Documentation is needed to verify the eligibilities you are claiming.Resume: For qualification determinations, your resume must contain hours worked per week (part-time or full-time) and dates of employment (i.e. month/year - month/year or month/year - present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series, and grade (i.e. SV-0343-09) on Federal job entries included in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc. on your resume.Utilizing the USAJOBS Resume Builder and completing all available fields is strongly encouraged.Veterans: If claiming VEOA or Veterans Preference- submit a copy of the official DD-214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an Honorable or General discharge). If no DD-214 is available, please submit a memo/certification of military service as outlined in the VOW Act. This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2,4, or 7 of the DD-214. If claiming veterans' consideration which involves considering your disability rating, you must submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. Note: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15.Note: VOW Act Certification-- A certification is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.If the certification has expired; an agency must request other documentation (e.g., a copy of the DD form 214) that demonstrates the service member is a preference eligible per 5 U.S.C. 2108, before veterans' preference can be awarded.TSA Employees: Current TSA employees are strongly encouraged to submit the most recent non-Award SF-50, at the time of application, to support eligibility for Status consideration. TSA employees who do not submit the SF-50 with the application must document their current TSA position in their resume and may be required to provide the SF-50 document during the selection process. TSA employees may obtain a copy of their most recent non-Award SF-50 at or Former Federal Civilian employees (Non-TSA): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50 block 24 must contain a 1 or 2 AND block 34 must contain a 1 or 2. Individuals with Disabilities: Documentation of eligibility for employment under this hiring authority can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Documentation is used to verify that the individual being hired is indeed a person with an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability.Military Spouse Preference:If you are eligible based on one of the below, please submit the following:(1) spouse of an active-duty member of the armed forces: DD214 of spouse, marriage license, and PCS orders showing dependency (if applicable)(2) a spouse of a service member who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury: DD214 of spouse, marriage license, and VA Letter or disability determination showing 100%(3) spouse of a service member killed while on active duty: DD214 of spouse, marriage license, documentation from the Armed Forces casualty officeIf 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.HelpHow to ApplyAll of the following must be received in our office by 11:59 PM EST (Eastern Standard time) on the closing date of this announcement. If we do not receive all required information by the closing date, your application may not be considered.To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. Your application must include:* Resume* Self-Assessment Questionnaire for this position* Applicable supporting documents (see Required Documents Section)To begin, click Apply to access the online application.* You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.* Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.* After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.* You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.* It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.* Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.* We encourage you to apply online. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact ...@tsa.dhs.gov .Read moreAgency contact informationHC ServeU Customer CareEmail ...@tsa.dhs.govAddress Albuquerque International Sunport - ABQDO NOT MAILAlbuquerque, NM 87106USLearn more about this agencyNext stepsThe 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.To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account ( all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: moreFair & TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.* Criminal history inquiries* Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy* Financial suitability* New employee probationary period* Privacy Act* Reasonable accommodation policy* Selective Service* Signature and false statements* Social security number requestPrintShare* Email* Facebook* LinkedIn* TwitterHelpOverview* Accepting applications* Open & closing dates12/09/2024 to 12/23/2024This job will close whe