Supervisory Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives

Supervisory Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives

Department: Department of Homeland Security

Location(s): San Diego, California

Salary Range: $121585 - $158062 Per Year

Job Summary: The Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (TSS-E) serves as a journey-level subject matter expert for the Federal Security Director (FSD) at designated airport(s) on all issues involving threats to the traveling public from explosives and Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs).

Major Duties:

• This Supervisory Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives position is located at San Diego International Airport (SAN), Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: 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. 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.

Qualifications: 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. 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. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

How to Apply: All 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 Applicable supporting documents (see Required Documents Section) TTo 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. 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. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Veterans and Persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the documentation that is required, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. We encourage you to apply online. If you have any questions, please see Agency Contact Information for further assistance.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-11