FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL (Direct Hire)

Summary

Securing Travel, Protecting People - At the Transportation Security Administration, you will serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, you would secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and/or public transit systems, thus protecting America's transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce.

Duties

An entry level Federal Air Marshal serves as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service (LE/FAMS). The Federal Air Marshals' (FAMs) primary function is to protect commercial passenger flights by deterring and countering the risk of terrorist activity, aircraft piracy, and other crimes to protect the nation's transportation infrastructure. FAMs may serve in a variety of law enforcement capacities both in the air and on the ground, including Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) operations. Federal Air Marshals are equipped to operate independently in a highly stressful environment with little or no back-up available. Duties may include but are not limited to: Participates in multi-agency task forces involving other federal, state, and local agencies in support of an integrated Federal law enforcement and intelligence approach to proactively fight terrorism. Coordinates and administers law enforcement, investigative, analytical, or advisory activities to ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and other mandatory guidelines. Makes arrests without warrants for any offense against the United States committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if there is probable cause to believe that a felony is being or has been committed. Seeks and executes warrants for arrest or seizure of evidence upon probable cause that a violation has been committed; and identifies and interviews witnesses and suspects. Presents information regarding law enforcement activities to the appropriate U.S. Attorney, as necessary. Such law enforcement activities may involve matters of extreme sensitivity with difficult planning and coordination problems because of jurisdictional concerns involving other nations, and federal, state, county, and local governments. This position is a primary Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) position and is covered under the Special LEO Retirement Provisions. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) is approved for this position to compensate for unscheduled duty in excess of a basic workweek. Federal Air Marshals must work or be available to work an average of two extra hours per non excludable work day. LEAP is not authorized until all initial training requirements are successfully completed and upon issue of the Federal Air Marshal badge and credential. This position is covered under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers. Applicants that have no prior federal law enforcement experience must meet the maximum age for entry into a "covered position" which is the date immediately preceding the applicant's 37th birthday and must be able to retire at the mandatory age of 57 years with 20 years of service as a federal law enforcement officer. Applicants who are preference eligible veterans are exempted from this age restriction. TSA is hiring for law enforcement jobs that have an exciting opportunity! Once onboarded, you may be assigned for up to one year to support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. The law enforcement component of the D.C. Task Force is a partnership of over 20 federal and local agencies working together to make D.C. the safest city in America. Once the assignment ends, you'll transition back to support TSA. Visit the D.C. Task Force page for more information.

Qualifications

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Applicants will not be eligible for consideration under this Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) for the following reasons: If you have failed a Pre-Hire Background Investigation from TSA Personnel Security within the two (2) years preceding the closing date of this JOA (10/31/2026). If you have failed the Federal Air Marshal Assessment Battery (FAB) or the Physical Ability Test (PAT) or the Panel Interview during the Field Office Assessment (FOA) for the FAM position within the twelve (12) months preceding the closing date of this JOA (10/31/2026). If you failed to attend a scheduled appointment for your FOA, Poly or Medical you will be ineligible for consideration for one year following the date of the missed appointment. If you are over the age of 37, or reach age 37 at anytime during the process, and did not provide proof of employment in a Federal civilian law enforcement position covered by Federal civilian law enforcement retirement provisions. (NOTE: Preference eligible veterans are exempted from this age restriction.) To qualify for the SV-G Pay Band (equivalent to GS-5/7/9), you must meet one of the qualification requirements (A, B, OR C) outlined below: A. Experience: For those qualifying using experience, your application must clearly outline three years of progressively responsible general experience, one year of which was equivalent to at least the SV-F Pay Band or GS-4 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Such experience will demonstrate the ability to: analyze problems, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing; OR B. Education: Bachelor's or higher-level degree in any field from an accredited college or university; OR C. Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements, and may be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the position; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the position; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the position. Note: If you are attempting to qualify based on education, in whole or in part, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript(s) from an accredited college or university (for each school attended) to establish qualifications based upon education. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts may be required at a later date. Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Please see the "Required Documents" section regarding the resume requirements. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announ