The Transportation Security Administration is part of the Department of Homeland Security, and many students find themselves looking at the possible management jobs available with TSA after they graduate. You’ll find TSA agents working at airports, bus stations and in other transportation facilities, but the department also has offices located in cities across the country. A degree in business or management with a concentration in criminal justice might help you land one of the TSA management positions.
Transportation Security Manager
A transportation security manager, also known as a screening manager, is a manager responsible for supervising those agents working as screeners. Screeners are the men and woman who send travelers through metal detectors, use wanders to look for hidden objects and go through the bags of travelers before letting them on a plane or bus. Screening managers schedule workers to cover shifts and make allowances for workers. They must ensure that there are skilled people working every day. Other duties relating to the job include monitoring employees, assessing workers when needed and hiring new employees to fill in any necessary shifts.
Management Analyst
Analyst is one of the other types of management jobs available with TSA offices. Management analysts are the ones who evaluate other departments and workers to find better ways of handling daily tasks and operations. Most of those who the TSA consider for the job are those with an MBA and a concentration in management or leadership, but some local offices may hire those with a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience. In addition to evaluating workers, analysts also use specialized techniques to find better and more effective ways for the TSA to do its job and report its findings back to the Department of Homeland Security.
Customer Service and Quality Improvement Manager
According to the TSA, a Customer Service and Quality Improvement Manager is someone who acts as the managing director of a large airport. Men and women working in this position must agree to accept any open position as soon as one becomes available, which may involve relocating for the job. They are the ones who advertise for new workers, screen applicants and interview job seekers before hiring a new employee. They also meet with the airport to talk about any concerns that workers might have and run special events to tell workers and the general public about any new changes.
Security Director
A Security Director is similar to a Customer Service and Quality Improvement Manager, but directors typically work in smaller airports that have less restrictions and regulations than the larger airports do. In addition to managing any screening agents, they also mange any other TSA employees working in the airport. As one of the management jobs available with TSA, they perform regular assessments on workers and methods used in the airport to ensure the airport follows the proper codes, and they use drills as a way to test the reaction times of employees and determine what would happen during an emergency situation.
Related Resource: Risk Management Specialist
TSA agents check bags and watch for suspicious activity to ensure the safety of those residing in an airport and arriving or departing from that airport. The number of jobs increased significantly after 9/11, and those interested in working for the agency will find that there are now more management jobs available with TSA than ever before.