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Career Exploration

Transportation Security Screeners

Also called: Security Screener, Transportation Security Officer (TSO)

What they do:

Conduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. May operate basic security equipment such as x-ray machines and hand wands at screening checkpoints.

On the job, you would:
  • Inspect carry-on items, using x-ray viewing equipment, to determine whether items contain objects that warrant further investigation.
  • Search carry-on or checked baggage by hand when it is suspected to contain prohibited items such as weapons.
  • Check passengers' tickets to ensure that they are valid, and to determine whether passengers have designations that require special handling, such as providing photo identification.
On the job, you'll need:

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Business

  • customer service

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • talking to others

Social

  • changing what is done based on other people's actions
  • understanding people's reactions

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Conventional

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Cloud-based data access and sharing software

  • Slack

Human resources software

  • Applicant tracking software
  • Oracle Taleo

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $47,710

Education

High school diploma/GED or some college is usually needed.