Transportation Security Administration Transportation Security Officer Careers 2026 – TSA – Gunnison, CO

The Transportation Security Administration is hiring Transportation Security Officers for Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport in Gunnison, Colorado. Officers protect air travelers, airports, and aircraft with courteous, professional security screening.

IMPORTANT STAFFING NOTE FROM THE OFFICIAL POSTING: At this time, this airport is only seeking qualified female candidates to meet mission-related staffing needs. Applications from male candidates will be accepted but not considered until staffing needs change.

Full-time positions require 40 hours per week; part-time shifts generally range from 16–32 hours per week. Specific shifts and schedules are set by the airport.

What You’ll Do

• Run screening equipment and technology to find dangerous items in baggage, cargo, and on passengers.
• Carry out searches and screening that can involve physical contact with passengers, bag searches, and lifting bags, bins, and property up to 50 pounds.
• Control terminal entry and exit points.
• Help the public with directions and questions.
• Stay focused in a noisy, high-pressure setting so threats can be spotted and sound decisions made in routine and emergency situations.
• Keep building critical-thinking skills, apply risk-based screening procedures, and follow all standard operating procedures reliably.

Requirements

To qualify at the SV-D pay band (equivalent to GS-5/6), candidates need either (A) at least one year of full-time work in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X-ray technician, or (B) a high school diploma, GED, HiSET, or TASC equivalency certificate.

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Be at least 18 when applying.
• Be registered for Selective Service where required.
• Be proficient in English.
• Be able to pass a structured interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation, with post-employment random drug and alcohol testing.
• Be available for varied shifts and overtime.
• Be available for possible mandatory travel for training (a minimum of three weeks, up to six weeks, away from the home airport).
• Meet physical demands including squatting and bending, repeatedly lifting around 50 pounds, walking up to three miles in a shift, and standing for prolonged periods of up to four hours.
• Have lived in the United States for three of the last five years (with stated exceptions).
• Have no delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child support.
• Meet TSA dress, appearance, and certification standards.

This is not a law enforcement position.

Pay and Benefits

• Pay: $46,105 to $56,844 per year ($22.09 to $27.24 per hour), including locality pay of 17.06%.
• Sign-on bonus up to $15,000.
• No moving, relocation, or pre-employment travel expenses are paid.

How to Apply

Apply through the official USAJOBS announcement linked above, following its How to Apply instructions, including the assessment questions and any required supporting documents (such as DD-214 / SF-15 for veterans’ preference claims). Apply early: the announcement may close before its published closing date if enough applications are received.

Selection involves the TSO Assessment Battery (a computer-based test of X-ray interpretation aptitude), followed for those who pass by a structured interview, drug screening, and job-related medical evaluation, then a pre-hire background investigation. Candidates are assessed on attention to detail, conscientiousness, critical thinking, flexibility, integrity and honesty, interpersonal skills, oral communication, teamwork, and visual observation. A resume is limited to two pages.