Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (TSS-E)

Full Job Description

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).

To 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 as a Bomb Appraisal Officer, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, Bomb Technician, or similar position.

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: Performing bomb management duties such as establishing program guidelines, training and/or mentoring others, and making decisions regarding actions to take when faced with a critical incident.

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 devise is an improvised explosive, commercial explosive, or military 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.

For resume requirements please review the required documents section. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Major Duties:

This Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (TSS-E) position is located at Albuquerque International 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.