748job United States

Assistant Federal Security Director for Screening

Department of Homeland Security › Transportation Security Administration (218 current openings)

Who may apply

Limited to the following applicant groups:

  • Internal to an agency
Anchorage County, Alaska Charleston County, South Carolina San Diego, California Los Angeles, California Albany, New York Columbus, Ohio
Full-time Security Clearance: Top Secret
Application Deadline:
2026-09-01
Posted:
2026-08-18

About 2 weeks left

Apply on usajobs.gov
Salary: $126,384 – $164,301 per year (SV-K)

Salary context

Based on 100 annual-salary jobs in the same occupational series. This role pays above most similar positions.

Job Details

Position Overview

The Assistant Federal Security Director - Screening (AFDS-S) in support of the Federal Security Director (FSD), is responsible for mitigating threats against aviation and other transportation sectors by providing leadership and direction to TSA personnel engaged in screening operations.

Duties

The Assistant Federal Security Director - Screening (AFDS-S) in located in Domestic Aviation Operations, Security Operations.

Duties include:
  • Mitigate threats against aviation and other transportation sectors by providing leadership and direction to TSA personnel engaged in screening operations.
  • Serve as principal advisor to the Federal Security Director (FSD) on all operational matters.
  • Develop, plan, coordinate, and implement policy that supports screening operations, customer service, and stakeholder programs.
  • Implement and measure performance of screening standards and security programs.
  • Provide oversight of passengers, baggage, air cargo security screening operations, airport security risk assessments, security technology implementation, preventative maintenance, crisis management, communications network protection, and other related programs as directed by the FSD.
  • Facilitate and communicate the receipt, utilization, and delivery of intelligence information, incident reports, and other appropriate information to the workforce.
  • Identify intelligence resources for use by staff to strengthen security posture. Participate in briefings concerning classified information.
  • Model and work with leadership team to develop and maintain workforce command presence and professional appearance.
  • Create and lead a collaborative culture that encourages engagement and networking. Leverage shared expertise at all levels to mitigate security threats.
  • Evaluate threat mitigation strategies and tactics using risk assessment concepts and tools, including "threat, vulnerability, and consequence".
  • Determine effectiveness and recommend adjustments as needed.
  • Practice, promote, and implement programs that reinforce critical thinking skills, specialized communication tactics, and improve the ability of the workforce to make independent, security based decisions by using available intelligence, critical thinking, experience, observation, and passenger engagement.
  • Develop and maintain a calm, controlled operational environment in order to enhance the workforce's ability to mitigate security threats.
  • Create a work environment in which employees at every level are valued and encouraged to raise issues and voice concerns without retaliation or fear of reprisal.
  • Ensure that their organization applies and promotes the Integrated Conflict Management System (ICMS) core principles and complies with applicable standards.
  • Mentor teams at all levels and provide constructive feedback that recognizes positive behavior and promotes individual improvement, growth, and confidence.
  • Provide management and technical oversight to staff members and perform related supervisory functions (e.g., performance evaluation, administration of leave, discipline, training, awards, and recognition).
  • Interact with stakeholders to identify and resolve operational issues.
  • May perform tasks/assume responsibilities for the FSD during their absence.
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 & Requirements

To qualify for the SV-K Pay Band (equivalent to GS-15), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-J Pay Band or GS-14 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position which involves supporting the Federal Security Director (FSD) in mitigating threats against aviation and other modes of transportation. Your experience must demonstrate you have the ability to perform the critical competencies necessary to supervise a staff that provides security screening operations, airport security risk assessments, crisis management, technology implementation, and other related programs assigned by the FSD. Specialized experience required for this position includes, but is not limited to:
  • Understanding, instructing, and applying security directives and regulations;
  • Identifying a range of security issues and threats in a complex environment; and
  • Providing leadership and direction in managing and overseeing a diverse workforce of professional and support staff performing protective security work.
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.

Requirements

  1. You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
  2. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
  3. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI).
  4. Selective Service registration is required.
  5. Disclosure of your financial information is required.
  6. You must be available to work various shifts and overtime as needed.
  7. Must pass pre-employment drug screening AND random drug/alcohol testing.
  8. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Clearance.
Supervisory/Managerial Probationary Period Requirements: Unless previously completed, you must satisfactorily complete a one-year supervisory probationary period to continue in this supervisory/managerial position.

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.

You must meet the qualification requirements of this position no later than the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.

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 OMB plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.

Evaluations

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Accountability
  • Customer Service
  • Decisiveness
  • Flexibility
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Resilience

The USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

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/13041671

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Documentation is needed to verify the eligibilities you are claiming.

NOTE: Your resume must clearly demonstrate how you meet this requirement; otherwise, you will be deemed ineligible. Additionally, copying and pasting information from the announcement into your resume will not adequately convey your qualifications.

Resume Requirements:

1. All applicants are required to submit a resume. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
2. Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including month and year) for work experience.
3. Number of hours worked in a position (i.e., full-time or part-time). If part-time, (i.e., less than 40 hours per week) state the total number of hours worked per week.
4. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your performance level for federal civilian positions (i.e., band or grade).

If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position.

Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate content, classified information, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc. on your resume.

Utilizing the USAJOBS Resume Builder and completing all available fields is strongly encouraged.

Note: Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc. on your resume.

In addition to a resume and the assessment questions, you must submit copies of any of the following documents if you are applying based on being a current eligible TSA employee (which includes permanent employees and 5 year temporary employees), or education or a combination of education and experience:

TSA Current Employees- Strongly encouraged to submit the most recent non-Award SF-50, at the time of application, to support eligibility for Status consideration. TSA employees who do not submit the SF-50 with the application must document their current TSA position in their resume and may be required to provide the SF-50 document during the selection process. TSA employees may obtain a copy of their most recent non-Award SF-50 at https://eopf.opm.gov/dhs/.

TSA Displaced Employees- If you indicate eligibility for this priority consideration and exemption from Area of Consideration restrictions, you must submit a copy of the official notification that supports this eligibility at the time of application.

Detail Documentation: Eligible applicants who wish to qualify for this position based upon experience obtained while serving on a detail with TSA must submit signed copies of the corresponding TSA form 1160, Terms And Conditions For Temporary Internal Assignment -Detail, or an SF-52, Request for Personnel Action, as supporting documentation along with their application otherwise the experience cannot be credited.

If you do not submit required documentation described in this job opportunity announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.

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.

The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot.

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:
  1. Resume
  2. USAHire-Assessment Questionnaire for this position
  3. Applicable supporting documents (see Required Documents Section)
To 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 résumé 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.
  • If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
  • Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
  • Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
  • Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
  • Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.

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, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

If needed, applicants may request a religious accommodation as part of the hiring process from the designated contact noted in the vacancy announcement (for contact information please see 'Agency Contact Information' listed within the 'How to Apply' section of this job announcement)

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Source: Data sourced from USAJOBS