TSA to host recruitment and hiring event in Portland

Agency looking to fill full- and part-time positions PDX
Local Press Release
Thursday, June 6, 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is hosting a two-day recruitment and information session next week to hire full- and part-time Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to work at Portland International Airport (PDX).

The recruiting sessions will be held Monday, June 10 and Tuesday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel located at 8235 Northeast Airport Way in Portland. Starting pay for TSOs at PDX is $16.91 per hour, with opportunities for pay increases after six months.

“TSA officers carry out an important mission every day, ensuring the security of the traveling public and protecting the transportation system from an ever evolving threat,” said Stephen Taber, TSA Federal Security Director for Oregon “We are looking to add new members to our team at PDX. We encourage those who are interested to come learn about the various duties of a TSO and a meaningful career with TSA.” 

Individuals will have the opportunity to begin the application and hiring process on-site. In order to be considered for employment, applicants must at least 18 years or older, be a U.S. citizen and are required to have two valid forms of state or federal identification. Examples of acceptable forms of identification are a driver license, military ID card, passport or a certified copy of a birth certificate.

At the information sessions, TSA officials will discuss the duties of a TSO and provide helpful details about the application process. Applicants will be briefed on the benefits of working for the federal government including paid training, annual and sick leave, health care coverage for full- and part-time employees as well as a generous 401k and pension plan. A summary of the total TSO compensation and benefits package can be found at go.usa.gov/xmeqt.

Those who are interested in pursuing employment with TSA will have the opportunity to take a computer-based aptitude test, participate in a structured interview and leave with a medical kit for drug screening and a medical exam, which will be scheduled at a later date. Applicants will also undergo a pre-hire background investigation.

Individuals also have the option to begin the application process online now at tsajobs.tsa.dhs.gov. More information is also available by calling (877) 872-7990.

The 2019 summer travel season will be the busiest on record. On average, TSOs across the country screen approximately 2.2 million departing passengers and crew. During peak days in summer, that number will increase to approximately 2.8 million travelers a day. At PDX, TSOs screen an average of 25,000 departing travelers a day. In the summer months, that number can increase by nearly 30% to approximately 33,000 travelers per day.

In 2018, several publications including Black EOE Journal, Hispanic Network Magazine, Professional Woman’s Magazine and U.S. Veterans Magazine ranked TSA as one of the nation’s Best of the Best Government and Law Enforcement Agencies. Also in 2018, Travel + Leisure recognized PDX as America’s best airport for the sixth consecutive time.

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