DOT 03-02
Tuesday, January 8, 2002
Contact: Paul Takemoto
Telephone: 202-366-5580
DOT Begins
Recruiting Federal Security Directors for Airports
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced it has started recruiting to hire federal security directors who will oversee security at the nation’s top airports, as part of the new Transportation Security Administration. A federal security director will lead federal security operations at each airport, including passenger and baggage and cargo screening, as well as protection of aircraft and secured airport areas.
“Airport federal security directors will be the front line leaders of the Transportation Security Administration and key to rebuilding the confidence and comfort of the traveling public,” said Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. “These directors will have the authority and the resources to ensure that effective security surrounds civil aviation operations at each airport, so we are seeking law enforcement and security professionals with demonstrated leadership skills for this demanding responsibility.”
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be a flat, distributed organization, with a relatively small Washington headquarters and most of the more than 30,000-member agency based at airports throughout the nation. At each airport, the federal security director will lead federal security operations, responsible for hiring and training federal security employees, directing all federal law enforcement activity throughout the airport in coordination with local authorities.
The initial phase of federal security director recruitment will fill positions at the nation’s 81 largest airports. Recruitment for positions at the balance of the nation’s 429 airports will proceed in a parallel process managed by the department.
The Department of Transportation has contracted with Korn/Ferry International to assist with the search for qualified federal security director candidates. A web site has been established for information and applications at www.dot-tsa.com.
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