LIHU‘E — A job fair for Transportation Security Administration screening officers is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the TSA office on Rice Street in Lihu‘e.
The TSA is hiring transportation security officers to work at three airports in Hawai‘i, including Lihu‘e Airport, Kahului Airport on Maui and the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on Hawai‘i Island.
A TSA release notes there are full- and part-time positions available at all three airports.
Starting hourly wages are $22.17 an hour for the 15 positions that need to be filled at the Lihu‘e Airport. There are 20 available positions at the Kona Airport at $20.32 an hour, and 25 positions available on Maui at $22.17 an hour.
Additionally, TSA will pay newly-hired TSOs who start between now and Sept. 30 a $500 recruitment incentive upon starting with the agency, and $500 following one year of service with TSA.
During the recruitment session, interested candidates will attend an informational session to learn more about applying to become an officer, take a computer-based test to evaluate aptitude and English-language proficiency, and participate in a structured interview session. The session and preliminary-hiring-process components can take between three and four hours, so TSA recommends applicants arrive early in the day.
All candidates must have two valid forms of state or federal identification.
Transportation security officers are federal employees whose benefits include paid training, annual leave and sick leave, health-care plans for full- and part-time employees and a generous retirement plan. TSOs are eligible for up to $5,000 per year in college-tuition reimbursement.
TSA does not prorate benefits for part-time workers, and veteran’s preference is not required to join the agency.
Following six months of service, TSOs are eligible for pay increases, and those who work early mornings, evenings and Sundays receive a shift differential. Overtime opportunities that are paid at time-and-a-half are frequently available.
TSA is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment, and encourages individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
For more information on the duties of a TSO and to learn a little more about TSA’s mission, a video titled “Day in the Life of a TSO” is available. To view open positions locally, apply and see the video, visit jobs.tsa.gov/.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
