TSA Looking to Hire 6000 New Employees by Summer 2021
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plans to hire 6,000 new Transportation Security Officers before summer 2021 to prepare for the influx of travelers that is expected as COVID-19 vaccine rollout accelerates. At approximately 430 airports nationwide, TSA is ramping up efforts to add staff who can assist with security screenings and other airport tasks.
Melanie Harvey, Acting Executive Assistant Administrator for TSA’s Security Operations, said of the decision, “Each day, our officers screen hundreds of thousands of airline travelers ensuring they arrive at their destinations safely. We expect to screen a higher number of travelers regularly by the summer months and will need additional officers to support our critical mission.”
According to the TSA website, the number of passengers traveling through security checkpoints has increased as the vaccine becomes more widely available. On January 1, 2021, there were just 805,990 passengers traveling, compared with over 2 million on January 1, 2020. However, as of March 1, 2021, that number was 1,047,418.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske explained, “In the interest of TSA frontline workers and traveler health, TSA is committed to making prudent changes to our screening processes to limit physical contact and increase physical distance as much as possible.”
In order to accomplish these goals as the number of travelers increases, TSA is striving to increase their workforce.
In order to spread the word about hiring and recruitment efforts, TSA is hosting virtual job fairs and recruitment events in multiple cities that offer both part-time and full-time opportunities. All persons are encouraged to apply and TSA is offering healthcare benefits, vacation and sick leave, and retirement plans.
For more information, a “Day in the Life of a TSO” video is available to learn more about the TSA mission and essential security screening position. To view open positions for TSOs around the country, visit TSA.gov/TSO.