Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (TSS-E)

USAJOBS pay evidence (raw source values; no currency or annual rate inferred)

Remuneration 1: minimum: 111896; maximum: 145468; rate interval: PA; description as provided: Per Year

Pay plan 1: code: SV

Low grade: H

High grade: H

Agency: Transportation Security Administration

To qualify for the SV-H Pay Band (equivalent to GS-12) 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-G or GS-11 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: 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 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., vo

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 Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives (TSS-E) position is located at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 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. 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 remediation, and identifying potential security vulnerabilities. Mentoring and training the front line screening workforce to increase their operational knowledge of explosives and IED components. 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.

Requirements:

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). 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. 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.

Evaluations:

You will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of the experience and/or related education as reflected in your resume and supporting documentation. You are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show possession of specialized experience required for this position. Additionally, a structured interview process will be utilized to evaluate candidates' technical and professional expertise as it pertains to the specific requirements outlined in this announcement. This interview measures the specialized knowledge and skills that are critical for successful performance in this position. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Grouping procedures. Under Category Grouping, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories: Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. You may preview the questions for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13113224

USAJOBS listing details

Source listing snapshot; not verification of current availability or your eligibility.

Control number: 892410700

Announcement number: SFO-26-13113224-ST

Announcement URL:

Publication date: 2026-11-10T11:27:08.0700

Applications open: 2026-11-10T11:27:08.0700

Applications close: 2026-11-24T23:59:59.9970

Posting display ends: 2026-11-24T23:59:59.9970

Hiring paths: fed-competitive, fed-excepted, disability, mspouse, vet

URL:

Search result snapshot observed: 2026-11-10T18:34:37.513366+00:00