Summary Securing Travel, Protecting People - At the Transportation Security Administration, you will serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, you would secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and/or public transit systems, thus protecting America's transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce. Responsibilities An entry level Federal Air Marshal serves as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service (LE/FAMS). The Federal Air Marshals' primary function is to protect commercial passenger flights by deterring and countering the risk of terrorist activity, aircraft piracy, and other crimes to protect the nation's transportation infrastructure. Federal Air Marshals are equipped to operate independently in a highly stressful environment with little or no back-up available. Duties may include but are not limited to: Participates in multi-agency task forces involving other federal, state, and local agencies in support of an integrated Federal law enforcement and intelligence approach to proactively fight terrorism. Coordinates and administers law enforcement, investigative, analytical, or advisory activities to ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and other mandatory guidelines. Makes arrests without warrants for any offense against the United States committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if there is probable cause to believe that a felony is being or has been committed. Seeks and executes warrants for arrest or seizure of evidence upon probable cause that a violation has been committed; and identifies and interviews witnesses and suspects. Presents information regarding law enforcement activities to the appropriate U.S. Attorney, as necessary. Such law enforcement activities may involve matters of extreme sensitivity with difficult planning and coordination problems because of jurisdictional concerns involving other nations, and federal, state, county, and local governments. This position is a primary Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) position and is covered under the Special LEO Retirement Provisions. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) is approved for this position to compensate for unscheduled duty in excess of a basic workweek. Federal Air Marshals must work or be available to work an average of two extra hours per non excludable work day. LEAP is not authorized until all initial training requirements are successfully completed and upon issue of the Federal Air Marshal badge and credential. This position is covered under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers. Applicants that have no prior series federal law enforcement experience must meet the maximum age for entry into a "covered position" which is the date immediately preceding the applicant's 37th birthday and must be able to retire at the mandatory age of 57 years with 20 years of service as a federal law enforcement officer. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). Selective Service registration is required. AGE: Applicant must be at least 21 years old at the time of application. Prior to appointment, an applicant must not have reached his or her 37th birthday unless the applicant can provide proof of current or previous service in a Federal civilian law enforcement retirement-covered position (after subtracting the year/months of prior Federal service worked in a primary law enforcement position, the applicant must be less than 37 years of age). This is a rigorous/primary law enforcement position. Applicants who reach age 37 at any time during the process up to entry on duty and did not provide proof of a Federal civilian law enforcement position covered by Federal civilian law enforcement retirement provisions, will be disqualified. (NOTE: Preference eligible veterans are permitted a waiver allowing for entry on duty prior to their 40th birthday). POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION: Selectees must successfully complete and achieve favorable results on a law enforcement pre-employment polygraph examination. For details regarding Polygraph Reciprocity, please see the Next Steps section of the announcement. Those who take the polygraph under this announcement will be required to travel at their own expense to the examination location. Polygraph examinations are typically conducted in Atlantic City, NJ. (NOTE: This requirement also applies to any current TSA employee. An unfavorable polygraph examination may result in negative administrative actions, up to and including separation from federal service). PHYSICAL ABILITY: Federal Air Marshals engage in moderate to arduous physical exertion. As such, Federal Air Marshal selectees must successfully pass the medical screening process and physical requirements for law enforcement officers. Federal Air Marshals are required to engage the use of defensive tactics and physical control techniques. MEDICAL CLEARANCE: Selectees will be required to pass a pre-employment medical examination and maintain medical standards. See Qualifications section for additional Conditions of Employment. Qualifications You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Applicants will not be eligible for consideration under this Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) for the following reasons: If you have failed a Pre-Hire Background Investigation from TSA Personnel Security within the two (2) years preceding the closing date of this JOA (09/26/2025). If you have failed the Federal Air Marshal Assessment Battery (FAB) or the Physical Ability Test (PAT) or the Panel Interview during the Field Office Assessment for the FAM position within the twelve (12) months preceding the closing date of this JOA (09/26/2025). If you are over the age of 37, or reach age 37 at anytime during the process, and did not provide proof of employment in a Federal civilian law enforcement position covered by Federal civilian law enforcement retirement provisions. (NOTE: Preference eligible veterans are permitted a waiver allowing for entry on duty prior to their 40th birthday). To qualify for the SV-G Pay Band (equivalent to GS-5/7/9), you must meet one of the qualification requirements (A, B, OR C) outlined below: A. Experience: For those qualifying using experience, your application must clearly outline three years of progressively responsible general experience, one year of which was equivalent to at least the SV-F Pay Band or GS-4 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Such experience will demonstrate the ability to: analyze problems, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing; OR B. Education: Bachelor's or higher-level degree in any field from an accredited college or university; OR C. Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements, and may be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the position; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the position; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the position. Note: If you are attempting to qualify based on education, in whole or in part, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript(s) from an accredited college or university (for each school attended) to establish qualifications based upon education. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts may be required at a later date. Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Resumes must include the following: Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including the month and year) for work experience. State the number of hours worked in a position (i.e. full-time or part-time). If part-time, state the total number of hours worked per week. Performance level for federal civilian positions (i.e. band or grade) Utilizing the USAJOBS Resume Builder and completing all available fields is strongly encouraged. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Additional Conditions of Employment: BACKGROUND and SECURITY CLEARANCE: This position is designated as "Critical Sensitive". Completion of a full field investigation is required. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security clearance. FIREARMS: Federal Air Marshals are required to carry a firearm and maintain firearms proficiency as part of conducting law enforcement activities. Federal Air Marshals may be required to use deadly force, if necessary. LAUTENBERG NOTICE: Title 18 USC, Section 922 (g) automatically disqualifies anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from being appointed to this position. Selectees must complete the Qualifications Declaration and Inquiry for Positions Requiring the Possession of Firearms or Ammunition Form prior to appointment, and annually thereafter. FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL TRAINING PROGRAM: Selectees must attend and successfully complete a rigorous, in-resident law enforcement training program that lasts for 22 consecutive weeks. HOURS OF DUTY AND TRAVEL: Federal Air Marshals are required to constantly travel while on duty. Federal Air Marshals are subject to 24-hour on-call duty. Shifts are often longer than eight hours, requiring irregular schedules based on the needs of the LE/FAMS. Flexible schedules are not available and employees must agree to perform the duties and duty tours as assigned. Federal Air Marshals travel at various times which routinely requires overnight stays in domestic and international locations that may be dangerous or present health hazards. Federal Air Marshals may be reassigned to different geographic locations throughout their tenure. Employees will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement as a condition of employment. TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS: Federal Air Marshals must be available for permanent or long-term temporary (e.g., 30-day, 90-day, and 120-day) assignments in any U.S. or international location in which the LE/FAMS operates. DRIVER'S LICENSE: Selectees must be able to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license prior to appointment. OTHER DOCUMENTS: Selectees must be able to obtain and maintain a valid U.S. passport book, and a government-issued travel card. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (0MB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment (https://eopf.opm.gov/eOPFToolkit/Documents/OF306.pdf) and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Education For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree. Additional Information The reflected salary on the announcement does not include locality pay. Salary will be adjusted in accordance with the locality pay of the final approved duty location selected (El Segundo, CA 36.47%; South San Francisco, CA 46.34%; Denver, CO 30.52%; Orlando, FL 17.06%; Sunrise, FL 24.67%; East Point, GA 23.79%; Chicago, IL 30.86%; Chelsea, MA 32.58%; Hanover, MD 33.94%; Romulus, MI 29.12%; Edina, MN 27.62%; Charlotte, NC 19.67%; West Orange, NJ 37.95%; Las Vegas, NV 19.57%; Queens, NY 37.95%; Tinicum, PA 28.99%; Coppell, TX. 27.26%; Houston, TX 35.00%; Chantilly, VA 33.94%; Renton, WA 31.57%). Applicants will only be considered for those duty locations to which they indicate a preference. Pay Setting: Initial pay will be set in accordance with TSA MD 1100.53-7, Setting Pay Upon Appointment, and 1100.53.8, Setting Pay After Appointment. Promotion Potential: The highest pay band of a non-supervisory Federal Air Marshal is SV-1801-I. However, applicants will be hired only at the G Band level under this vacancy announcement. Movement to a higher level will depend on the employee's ability to do more complex, higher level work; there is no guarantee of promotion. Payment of relocation expenses (Permanent Change of Station) is not authorized. Qualified non-competitive eligible candidates may be referred for consideration on a separate, unranked list. Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: www.opm.gov/ To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position. DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. Fair Employment: It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience will be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination. TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence. See "Required Documents" for additional information.
