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Posted by Tracey Drake Jun 11, 2006 |
There is a new job boom that is sweeping the nation which few job seekers are aware of. Federal job sites are literally posting hundreds of new jobs each week for the Department of Homeland Security. Of particular interest is the position of Transportation Security Officer, or TSO.
The position of TSO is an entry level position that requires only a high school diploma and a clean bill of health to apply. Heck! If you have prior experience working as a security officer or x-ray technician, you don't even need a high school diploma. The starting pay is decent enough, ranging from approximately $23k to $36k and all the usual federal perks and benefits are offered. You may be asking yourself how individuals in these positions can be qualified to monitor suspicious and terrorist movement within our airports without so much as a high school diploma. Or more to the point, how can you do this job without the expected requisite background in security or police sciences.
I was curious too so I completed some due diligence and discovered that all TSO's must successfully complete 72 hours of paid classroom training, 128 hours of paid on-the-job training, and pass a certification exam before they are assigned to a regular post. Furthermore, all Transportation Security Officers are required to participate in regular training, drug and alcohol testing and ongoing certifications.
So it would seem that the TSA got this one right. The new employees are well trained to do their job, receiving ongoing education and support and are well paid for an entry level position which gives them incentive to do their jobs properly. All in all, it is probably one of the best positions available for anyone looking for the security of working for the federal government, would like to be active in defending the nation, but has little work experience.
If this sounds like you, it is worth your time to read the article on Transportation Security Officers that discusses all the position requirements, job duties and employment benefits.
Or please feel free to ask questions in the discussion area