Wanted: More airport screeners

Faced with a serious personnel shortage, the Transportation Security Administration yesterday announced multiple vacancies for the position of federal screener at the Saipan International Airport.

TSA-Saipan Director John Peoples said the actual number of inspectors to be hired remains indefinite, but he encouraged qualified CNMI residents to apply for a permanent or part-time screening position with the agency.

Representatives from the U.S.-based manpower agency Accenture will arrive on island in August to interview individuals who submit their applications on-line at usajobs.opm.gov. The hiring company will also interview walk-in applicants, but only after they fill out the on-line application form using computers that will be made available at the interview venue.

“So those interested might as well start applying online,” Peoples said.

The federal security director noted that a sizeable salary awaits qualified applicants. The annual salary of TSA screeners ranges between $23,600 and $35,400, plus a cost of living pay of 25 percent of the salary.

TSA screeners are responsible for identifying dangerous objects in baggage, cargo and/or on passengers; and preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft. The screeners’ duties also include wanding, pat down searches, operation of x-ray machines, lifting of baggage, and screening and ticket review using electronic and imaging equipment. Further, screeners perform passenger screening, baggage screening or both.

To qualify, one must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national; have a high school diploma, GED or its equivalent, or at least one year of full-tie work experience in security work, aviation screener work, or x-ray technician work.

An applicant must also possess English proficiency; mental abilities such as in visual observation and identification, and mental rotation; interpersonal skills; work values; and physical abilities.

TSA also sets medical standards for all security screeners. These include a distance vision correctable to 20/30 or better in the better eye and 20/100 or better in the worse eye; a near vision correctable to 20/50 or better binocular; color perception; good hearing; and adequate joint mobility, dexterity and range of motion, strength, and stability.

Screeners must also be able to work irregular hours or shifts, holidays and weekends, overtime, and extended hours. Further, they must pass a drug and alcohol screening, as well as a criminal and credit background check.

Qualified applicants must complete 56 to 72 hours of classroom training, 112-128 hours of on-the-job training, and a certification examination.