Become a federal employee with the TSA at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Local Press Release
Tuesday, March 21, 2023

PHOENIX - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is holding a recruiting event on Wednesday, March 22nd to assist individuals interested in an exciting new federal career as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX.)

The TSA was created in the wake of the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001, and by joining the TSA you will be on the front line of protecting the traveling public and you will become an essential employee in the mission of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"Applicants do not need previous experience working in security or law enforcement fields,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Arizona Jerry Agnew. “As a key element of the preparation for this job in national security, our officers will receive extensive training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and they will be paid during this training."

 Attendees at the recruiting event will receive information about full and part-time TSO positions and have the opportunity to complete multiple steps of the hiring process. The event includes a presentation about the TSO role, application assistance, computer-based testing and in-person interviews for job seekers. Participants will be able to complete all or part of these processes which will significantly reduce the time required to get on board with the TSA.

As part of the presentation sessions during the event, TSA will provide an overview of working for the federal government and discuss benefits, which include paid leave, health care plans for both full- and part-time employees, tuition assistance, 401k coverage and more.

Full and part-time positions at PHX have a starting pay of $22.07 per hour with opportunities for pay increases after six months. As of July 2, 2023, TSA will launch a new compensation plan which will place PHX at a pay scale of $22.59 per hour. After five years in service, the TSA career ladder will place TSO pay at $30.43 per hour or $60,000 to $65,000 if full-time.

The event will take place at the Doubletree Suites, 320 North 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. 

Participating in the information session and preliminary hiring process components can take between three and four hours, so TSA recommends arriving early in the day. Candidates are required to have two valid forms of state or federal identification.

Please bring documentation that establishes identity and U. S. Citizenship.  Acceptable forms of identification are an unexpired U. S. Passport or a certificate of citizenship by way of naturalization.  If you do not have either of these, a valid driver’s license and a certified copy of your birth certificate is required to be presented at the event.  Only original or certified copies of identification will be accepted.

The TSA seeks those who want to take the initial step into a rewarding federal career and support TSA’s critical mission of protecting our nation’s transportation systems. For more information on the TSO position and to learn more about TSA careers, visit https://jobs.tsa.gov/.  The specific listings areas at USAJOBS - Job Announcement and USAJOBS - Job Announcement .

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