The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is looking to bring on additional women and men to work at Syracuse Hancock International, Greater Binghamton and Ithaca Tompkins International Airport the airports in preparation for the busy spring and summer travel seasons.
In an effort to raise awareness of the ongoing hiring efforts, the agency is staffing a series of informational recruitment tables at those airports in March so that individuals who are interested in finding out more about what it is like to be a TSA officer can get their questions answered and learn more about what the hiring process entails.
There are currently openings for both full- and part-time positions as TSA officers at these three airports with a starting salary of $36,821 annually for individuals hired before July. That annual salary is scheduled to increase starting in July to $37,696. After a TSA officer has been working at the airport for one year beyond July 1, 2023, the annual salary jumps to $46,245 and after two years from their hire date it escalates again to $57,117 per year, representing a nearly $20,000 increase in pay within just a two-year span.
“Working here you learn to pay attention to things that perhaps you otherwise wouldn’t, and that extends to your everyday life as well,” said Supervisory TSA Officer Sharon Reilly from Greater Binghamton Airport. “As a result of what I’ve learned on the job, I’ve gained a heightened sense of awareness to many things in daily life.”
“I enjoy my job as a TSA officer,” said Supervisory TSA Officer Spencer Mathieu, who works at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport. “Becoming proficient on the X-ray unit is a little like becoming an expert at a video game. Each image is a puzzle that you have to interpret and solve, which makes it both challenging and exciting. It makes it enjoyable to come to work every day.”
“TSA offers multiple professional development courses at no cost that improve your skills and knowledge that help you move up the ladder into your desired career path, whether that is in a leadership position within the agency or perhaps to move into a position elsewhere,” said TSA Training Instructor Lisa Corrigan from Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
Informational recruitment tables will be staffed inside each airport as follows:
Syracuse
Individuals who are interested in visiting the informational table at Syracuse will find the table located inside the airport terminal in the Grand Hall to the left of the escalator from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Tuesday in March. There will also be an application assistance event on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CNY Works, 960 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203.
Binghamton
Individuals who are interested in visiting the recruitment informational table at Binghamton will find the table located inside the terminal at the security checkpoint each Tuesday in March from 10 a.m. to noon.
Ithaca
Individuals who are interested in finding out more about the job of a TSA officer in Ithaca will find the informational table located in the airport lobby on the right side of the security checkpoint from 10 a.m. to noon each Tuesday in March.
“This is a rewarding Federal job that offers annual opportunities to see healthy salary increases,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airports in Upstate New York. “Opportunities for professional growth are endless, and new hires will be performing a vital role in the protection of our country.”
Applicants do not need previous experience working in security or law enforcement fields. New hires will receive extensive training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and they are paid while undergoing training.
TSA officers screen thousands of airline travelers daily, ensuring they arrive at their destinations safely. TSA expects to screen a greater volume of travelers regularly this summer and needs additional officers to support its security mission.
Benefits of working at TSA for both part- and full-time employees include paid training, paid annual and sick leave, contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan, contributions to retirement, strong health care plans and the satisfaction of knowing they are contributing to our national security. TSA is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and encourages individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including military veterans and persons with disabilities.
For more information on the duties of a TSA officer and to learn a little more about TSA’s mission, a video titled “Day in the Life of a TSO” is available. To view open positions for TSA officers around the country, visit https://jobs.tsa.gov/transport-security-officer.