This article was written in Saturday’s (May 28th, 2016) Herald and News

Written By: Holly Dillemuth, H&N Staff Reporter

Job-seekers shook hands with Transportation Security Administration representatives in Klamath Falls Thursday evening, many hopeful of a future working for the federal agency.

Linda Dorsey, of Klamath Falls, was one of the first to take a seat in the nearly standing-room-only Mount Mazama room at Oregon Tech. A retired U.S. Postal Service worker who served 33 years, Dorsey filled out a pre-application form with her sights set on returning to work.

“I’ve always thought it’d be a cool job,” Dorsey said of the TSA. “I love traveling and I like people.”

TSA spokesperson Tina Burke shared candidly about the TSA and what those interested could expect in the application process in a presentation and question and answer session.

“If you don’t like people, if you don’t like touching people, this might not be the right career opportunity for you,” Burke told the group, as those in the audience filled out pre-application forms elbow-to-elbow and shoulder-to-shoulder. “Say hello to the person sitting next to you. It could be your future colleague.”

During the presentation, between 110 and 115 attendees heard about TSA’s origins, what’s expected of future employees, and a detailed list of how-to’s for applying for the six open positions in Klamath Falls.

Commercial air service is slated to touch down in Klamath Falls in October, but TSA employees must be in place before the service can operate for the public.

“We always like to hold what we call an information forum to give people an idea of what they can expect, how the application process works,” Burke said. “There are several steps along the way.”

Once positions, known as Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) are in place at Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport this fall, Klamath Falls will be one of six airports with TSA operations in Oregon, joining Portland, Medford, Eugene, Redmond, and North Bend.

Benefits, pay

TSA positions in Klamath Falls will start as part-time, with equal benefits provided for part-time and full-time workers.

Pay as a TSO — who screens baggage and/or passengers in Klamath Falls — starts at $15.13 per hour.

Qualifications for successful applicants include: being 18 years of age by date of hire; a high school diploma or equivalent; clean credit check and background check; drug test; and must be a U.S. citizen or national.

There is also required academy training in Georgia and four to five weeks of paid on-the-job training in Medford.

Terry Coleman, Assistant Federal Security Director for the TSA, oversees TSA employees in Medford and North Bend, and soon-to-be Klamath Falls.

“We do a lot of training in TSA,” Coleman said. “We need to stay on top of it. We are an agency that needs to be aware of everything that’s going on.”

The process from the application stage could take at least seven weeks, not including required training, according to Burke.

Coleman emphasized the values of TSA in Oregon: Mission, people, leadership, teamwork and integrity.

“I hope you all make the cut,” Coleman said.

Burke emphasized those who apply to TSA can also apply to be transferred to other areas of the country or globe.

Those applying for positions at the Klamath Falls’ airport will serve as TSOs with the airport, but Burke reminded those interested in the agency that there are also a myriad of other opportunities besides preparing passengers for their flight.

“When people think of TSA, they think of our officers in the blue uniforms at the airport,” Burke said. “It’s not just about aviation.”

TSA employs officers who coordinate with airports to ensure federal guidelines are met, as well as positions working with mass transportation, railways, and highways.

Two flights per day

Burke highlighted what makes Klamath Falls’ airport — known as LMT in the airport world — unique is its size.

“It’s obviously a smaller airport,” she said. “There will be two flights a day to start with.”

The first flight leaves at 6:45 a.m. and the second flight leaves at 11:30 a.m. from Klamath Falls; destination: Portland International Airport.

“It’s just a great opportunity to join the federal government, join TSA, serve your country and serve your community,” Burke said of the job opportunities. “I know the entire community’s excited about service coming back so, to be apart that service is going to be exciting.”

“We’re going to see a bunch of smiling faces come Oct. 1,” Coleman said.

Maybe even sooner.

Smiling faces shown on many of the faces of job seekers as they left.

Shawn Scott, 22, recently returned from three years of service in the U.S. Army, where he deployed to Kuwait and Jordan. Scott heard about the opportunity from his grandfather, and is hopeful to use his experience in military if he’s hired by the federal agency.

Dorsey beamed after speaking with a TSO and plans to apply for a position with the agency.

“I think I’m going to get a job,” Dorsey said. “I hope I get it.”

Application process

To begin the process to apply, go online at www.usajobs.gov and create an online account. Qualified applicants must submit their application information online with the TSA by June 3 to be considered.

Those who qualify for a computer test and for an in-person interviews will be notified by email. TSA personnel emphasized checking SPAM email inboxes to ensure correspondences are not missed. An email address is required for the process.

In-person interviews and assessments for local positions will take place at a later date in Klamath Falls.

“The sooner the better,” said Cynthia Wick, of TSA, on applying to work for the agency.

“Don’t wait till the last day, that will put you behind the pack.”

About the TSA

TSA is one of 22 agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Burke said.

The TSA was created in November 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was created in 2003.

To learn more, go online at https://www.tsa.gov/.

How to apply

To begin the process to apply, go online at usajobs.gov and create an online account. Qualified applicants must submit their application information online with the TSA by June 3 to be considered.

Those who qualify for in-person interviews will be notified by email. TSA personnel emphasized checking SPAM email inboxes to ensure correspondences are not missed.

In-person interviews for local positions will take place at a later date in Klamath Falls.

For more helpful hints on the application process, go online at www.tsacareercoaching.gov.

To review this article or others on the Herald and News Website, please refer to the link provided just below: 

Herald and News: 100+ Line Up for TSA Jobs