Supervisory Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives

, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If selected for this position, you will serve 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). You will also apply experience and technical knowledge of explosives to assess threats, educate the screening workforce in the detection of threats, and support explosive vulnerability assessments in all modes of transportation. Duties include, but are not limited to: • 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 and Specialized Screening Operations.

• Acting as a mentor and trainer to lower banded TSS-Es to resolve any issues they may have, to support their professional growth, and to support their success in assessing and resolving alarms.
• Directing the closure of the checkpoint, openings and evaluation distances, and contacting appropriate law enforcement or bomb squad, as required.
• In coordination with, and in support of Airport Screening Operations, 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).
• 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.
• Providing effective and consistent training that improves the detection of threats by the screening force nationwide through classroom training, covert drills, opportunity based training, overt drills, and technical briefings.
• Spearheading efforts to integrate and familiarize local Bomb Squads and military EOD units to the transportation environment.
• Developing and maintaining relationships and training products with and for multi-modal partners, as well as internal and external stakeholders.

Supervisory/Managerial duties includes serving as a first line supervisor for the organization. This includes but is not limited to: assigning work, setting priorities, and reviewing and evaluating work and performance of subordinates; approving leave; coaching and developing employees; recommending corrective or disciplinary actions; assisting in budget planning and projecting short-term needs; managing projects within assigned resources; resolving routine problems that typically impact the objectives of the organizational unit; and when required, coordinating with customers outside the immediate organization.

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.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
• 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.

• 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: • 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 explosives; and
• Bomb program management responsibilities such as serving as a lead team member on a bomb squad to include ensuring program requirements were followed, making recommendations on procedures or implementing processes.