Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives

Duties

If selected as a Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (TSS-E) within the Office of Security Operations (OSO), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you will serve as technical consultant for the assigned Federal Security Director (FSD) and subordinate managers on all issues involving explosives, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats.
Duties include but are not limited to:

• Responding to and assessing all unresolved checkpoint alarms involving possible explosives, IED components or actual IEDs.
• Assessing the interrelationships between initiators, power supplies and chemicals and determining if devices are improvised explosives, commercial explosives or homemade explosives as part of the overall determination that the alarm is negative or positive.
• Developing and providing training to Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and other appropriate staff concerning the detection of explosive devices, chemicals, power supplies and initiators that terrorists may attempt to carry onto aircraft.
• Building and maintaining relationships with Federal, state and local law enforcement personnel along with airlines, airports and other personnel from various transportation sectors that will help to improve the overall security of air and other transportation systems.
• Recommending emergency safety and security procedures to enhance detection of explosive devices and other destructive weapons that may be encountered through various transportation systems.
• Conducting incident analysis and operational tests of checkpoints and terminals.
• Working to ensure minimal disruption to passengers and transportation systems.
• As assigned, serving as a member of inspection teams reviewing explosives procedures and checkpoints at other airports or transportation terminals.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Requirement: For the SV-H Band: Applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the SV-G Pay Band or GS-11 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector) that includes performing duties such 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.

Basic Qualification Requirement: You must be a graduate from an accredited IED/bomb disposal course coupled with field experience as a military or civilian EOD technician or Hazardous Devices Technician. The accredited bomb disposal schools are Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (the joint service military EOD school) or the Hazardous Devices School (civilian). Graduation certificate must be attached to the application or certification in electronic applications with class number and date along with all assignments to squad and military EOD units.

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.

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.