Personnel in the Department of Aviation Safety are stationed across more than 450 airports within the United States. The roles and responsibilities within this department are as follows:
•Domestic Aviation Operations
•International Operations
•Operations Management
•Surface Operations
•Compliance
TSARs constitute the local transportation security representatives for missions located inside and outside the United States. The TSAR works under the administrative supervision of the Regional Director for a Zone of Responsibility (AOR) and has overall responsibility for developing and maintaining effective and professional relationships with U.S. and foreign government officials, with the aim of promoting consistency with international safety standards, foreign government requirements, and TSA regulatory programs.
Stakeholder Managers serve as the primary liaison officers for the Federal Security Director (FSD) and various stakeholders involved in aviation safety policy at medium to small airports.
Transportation Security Managers are responsible for overseeing activities at screening checkpoints to ensure the protection of travelers and the prevention of dangerous objects being transported on aircraft. Their duties include recognizing and correcting improper equipment usage and coordinating both local and national crisis management and incident response protocols.
Program Analysts support the Federal Director of Security (FSD) and the Deputy Federal Director of Security (DFSD) at airports. They contribute to the TSA’s mission by evaluating program operations and recommending improvements to enhance program effectiveness.
The Supervisory Program Analyst liaises between TSA program offices, the DAO central offices, and the Aviation Coordination Division (AVCOR). Their role involves evaluating operational and performance parameters to ensure compliance with TSA programs.
Program Specialists and Supervisory Program Specialists contribute to strategic security planning processes, manage process documentation, facilitate communication, and oversee specific program aspects to ensure goal achievement.
Management and Program Analysts develop new internal operational procedures to manage information-sharing tools, such as stakeholder contact lists, the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN), portals, and I-Share. They also prepare detailed reports on surface transportation safety programs and policies.
The RSD acts as the senior executive and technical expert on surface transport security operations within their assigned geographic area of responsibility (AOR).
Transportation Security Officers provide security and protection for air travelers, airports, and aircraft in a professional manner. For more information about TSOs, please visit the dedicated page.
Lead Transportation Security Officers manage at least three professional-level Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and, depending on assignments, trainee and apprentice TSOs. LTSOs distribute and balance workloads, adjust priorities, and ensure tasks are completed according to established work rates and skill levels.
Supervisory Transportation Security Officers mitigate threats to civil aviation and other transportation modes. They specialize in supervising specific security functions, such as the performance of TSOs and LTSOs, and ensure the application of procedures and technology for the control of persons and goods.
TSIs and STSIs ensure the safety of travelers and regulated transportation systems. They perform regulatory inspections, investigations, and oversee criminal investigations related to security violations.
MTSO-STIs support airport training programs by performing various functions related to TSO training and conducting pre-boarding security screening of passengers, cargo, and baggage.
ETSO-STIs deliver instructor development courses and assist Training Specialists in supervising Assistant Training Instructors (ATIs) and support staff. They also evaluate the quality of education and TSA procedures at local airports or transportation facilities.
TSS-Es serve as experts on explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) for the Federal Director of Security (FSD) at designated airports.
CCOs and SCCOs support functions such as Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR), the Security Playbook, Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT), operations of TSS-Es, and Travel Document Check (TDC).
AFSD-Screening/DAFSD-Screening staff mitigate threats to aviation and other transportation sectors by providing guidance and assistance to TSA personnel engaged in control operations. They serve as Senior Advisors to the FSD and develop, implement, and evaluate policies to support control operations, customer service, and stakeholder programs.
Scheduling Operations Officers provide administrative support and report to the AFSD. They conduct extensive analyses on programming, resource management, staff assignments, and funding to determine validated personnel requirements.
Program Assistants perform a range of administrative support missions, including helping managers evaluate programs and their effectiveness, providing advanced IT support, and developing analytical techniques to enhance performance in TSA field operations.
The DAA serves as the TSA’s senior executive on personnel, physical security, and facility issues, as well as administrative programs and activities. They establish strategic guidance, direct major security activities, and participate in the development, execution, and evaluation of operational and management programs.
Operations Research Analysts conduct cost analyses of key systems, prepare independent cost estimates, and serve as consultants on program cost issues to TSA and DHS senior management.
Supervisory Program Managers identify objectives and strategies to achieve management goals, interact with stakeholders at executive and senior levels, and oversee various aspects of passenger control technology applications.
Contract Specialists provide strategic planning for major acquisitions, ensure program/project meets company needs, and offer recommendations to senior management regarding acquisition program activities.
Human Resources Specialists serve as senior classification specialists, advising on job and organization structuring to maximize performance and providing tools for management to evaluate mission-based programs.
Human Resources Assistants accurately enter requests for various personnel actions, submit Requests for Personnel Action (RPA) to fill vacancies, and perform other related functions.
IT Project Managers (InfoSec) develop and implement programs to ensure system, network, and data security. They act as key stakeholders in IT business processes and provide guidance and monitoring to ensure smooth operations.
Physical Security Specialists serve as Contract Officer Representatives (COR), Alternate CORs, or Technical Monitors for physical security contracts, protecting personnel, facilities, national borders, and critical infrastructure.
Assistant Administrators manage personnel, facility, and administrative programs and activities, including property management, health and safety, and personnel security.
DAA/CSOs determine strategic directions, direct major security activities, and oversee planning, direction, and coordination of personnel and facility safety management programs.
Supervisory Transportation Security Specialists oversee the design and implementation of intelligence and risk-based policies, ensuring alignment with TSA interests internally and externally.
General Engineers implement processes to address TSA mission requirements, identifying and recommending action plans to address capacity necessities and deficits.
