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. Responsibilities This Transportation Security Inspector position is located in Memphis International Airport (MEM), Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a Transportation Security Inspector, you will be responsible for ensuring security compliance of persons and transportation systems and entities regulated under the Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1500 series. You will perform selected assignments and progressively responsible inspection work such as: Conducting less complex inspections or portions of more complex inspections. Applying basic technical inspection knowledge acquired in formal core training and on-the-job training (OJT), along with any limited experience gained prior to or after such training. Conducting regulatory inspections and investigations, and supporting criminal investigations related to alleged or suspected security violations. Responding to security incidents, threats, violations, or potential violations. Providing overt and covert presence, including high visibility activities, to detect and reduce identified security threats and vulnerabilities. Participating in covert and overt test and audits, as well as vulnerability assessments. Reviewing and analyzing assessment reports and testing results with specific attention to identifying unusual trends or actions that appear to have the potential for developing a security or safety problem. Note: This work is observed and reviewed frequently during inspections and at completion for technical accuracy, application of inspection methods and techniques, and oral and written effectiveness and clarity. If selected, you will perform work in one or more specialty areas for which hired (aviation and/or cargo). The duties of this position are performed under close supervision and guidance. 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 complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). Selective Service registration is required. Pass pre-employment Drug Screening AND you will be subject to post-employment random drug and alcohol testing. You must hold a valid driver's license. TSIs must successfully complete the Basic Transportation Security Inspections Course. You must be willing to undertake extensive travel, at times overnight, as required. You must hold or be able to obtain a government travel card. Must be available, as needed, to respond to security-related crisis or incidents to protect U.S. transportation interests within the U.S. and possibly worldwide. You must be available to work various shifts, including frequently changing and uncommon tours of duty. 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. 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. This position is not covered by Law Enforcement Availability or Law Enforcement Retirement. 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. 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. Qualifications To qualify for the SV-G Pay Band (equivalent to GS-5/7/9), you must possess one of the following: Experience: Three years of general experience, one year of which was equivalent to at least the SV-F or GS-4 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Such experience will demonstrate the ability to: analyze problems, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing. OR Education: Bachelor's or higher-level degree in any field from an accredited college or university. OR Combination of education and experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements and may be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the position; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the position; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the position. 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 Education If you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your unofficial 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 degree earned/conferred date) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply an official transcript or certification of degree. 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: 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.