TSA is hiring one Lead Transportation Security Officer at Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, Iowa. The permanent full-time position pays $61,722 to $80,243 per year, including locality pay, and a $5,000 relocation incentive is authorized.
This is an internal TSA recruitment. It is open to current TSA permanent or competitive temporary employees and eligible TSA displaced employees, not to the general public.
Leading the Screening Team
The Lead Transportation Security Officer is responsible for leading at least three full-performance TSOs and may also lead trainees or apprentices. The LTSO distributes work, balances tasks and adjusts assignments based on workload, priorities and employee skill levels.
The lead also gives supervisors and managers input on employee performance, promotions, reassignments, awards and other personnel matters.
Security Operations
The LTSO helps implement TSA screening procedures and supports frontline security operations at Sioux Gateway Airport. The job can involve passenger and baggage screening, use of detection equipment and response to issues discovered during screening.
When incidents occur, the lead may assist with investigations, prepare reports and respond to security breaches or emergency situations.
Experience Required
Candidates need one year of specialized experience related to TSO work at the D pay band level or above. Examples include frontline airport protection, pat-down searches, X-ray screening, baggage screening and identification of dangerous items.
The candidate must also meet the base education or experience pathway: a high school diploma or equivalent, or one year of qualifying security, aviation-screening or X-ray technician experience.
Physical and Medical Standards
The job requires repeated lifting and carrying of items up to 50 pounds, bending and squatting, walking up to two miles during a shift and standing for long periods.
TSA also applies specific vision, hearing and color-perception standards because the position works directly with security-screening equipment and images.
Emergency and Shift Requirements
The position is designated Emergency Essential, meaning the employee must remain in duty status when an emergency requires it. Various shifts and overtime can be required.
The selected employee must pass the required background investigation and drug screening and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing after hire.
Application Assessment
Qualified candidates must complete TSA’s Lead Transportation Security Officer assessment process. The announcement also limits the resume to two pages and requires detailed duties, dates, hours worked and federal performance level where applicable.
Copying vacancy wording into the resume is not enough; the application needs to show the candidate’s own screening and leadership experience.
How to Apply
Current eligible TSA employees can apply through USAJOBS before the closing date. Review the internal eligibility and supporting-document requirements carefully before submission.
Applications Closed
The closing date for this opportunity was 24 August 2026.