In light of TSA's apparent desire to place people with largely
law enforcement backgrounds in the Federal Security Director (FSD) positions, I
thought it might be useful to start a discussion on how we in the industry think
this will play out. Welcome to the DOT's Transportation Security Administration
Federal Security Director recruitment web site! On November 19, 2001, Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation
Security Act. This Act established the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA), responsible for securing all modes of transportation
in the United States. The TSA will hire, train and deploy Federal baggage
screeners, Federal security personnel, Federal law enforcement officers,
and Federal Security Directors at U.S. airports. Federal Security Director/Deputy The Deputy FSD will assist the FSD in meeting the full range of
position responsibilities described below. The information in this
announcement, including qualification requirements, selection criteria,
and compensation, is identical for covered FSD and Deputy FSD positions.
Individuals will automatically be considered for both FSD and Deputy FSD
positions in a given location unless they indicate differently. Please read the position description below and decide if you are
interested in pursuing candidacy for one of the Federal Security Director
positions. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES The Director will articulate and lead execution of a TSA strategy and
"best practices" program designed to meet Federal security
responsibilities at the airport. Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to: To achieve these objectives, the Director will establish, at his/her
airport of responsibility, the organizational structure and management
systems required for threat identification, risk management, crisis
management, employee accountability, and security of the facility,
including all aircraft. The Director must effectively communicate risk,
opportunity, and cost to the airport operator and to the Under Secretary
of Transportation for Security in a fashion that easily leads to
decisions. The FSD will be the representative of the Under Secretary of
Transportation for Security. The individual must be recognized and
respected as committed to the secure operations of the facility with an
understanding of the needs of each of the many airport constituents,
including passengers, employees, airlines, concession operators, and local
government. The FSD should be recognized as a valuable resource and
"problem solver" embraced by all affected groups. The Director will be a well rounded and experienced security and crisis
management professional who will focus on building a reliable and cost
effective crisis prevention, response and management program. The position
is charged with protecting airport employees and passengers, sustaining
airport operations, and insuring the continued success, protection and
integrity of the U.S. air transportation system. Some, but not all of these responsibilities, will likely be discharged
by management of third-party agreements from specialized service
organizations, such as security service and equipment providers, other
Federal, state and local law enforcement authorities, and specialized
security professionals. The position will have oversight planning
responsibility for all security risks to the facility. THE INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCE Mid-career experience in crisis planning, recovery management,
diversified asset protection management, and global safety and security
risk mapping is also desired. Specific experience may include managed
intelligence gathering and processing, executive protection and asset loss
prevention. Prior employment will likely include government or military
training and experience, as well as experience in anti-terrorism, aviation
security, industrial security, or law enforcement. The candidate must have demonstrated strategic leadership and the
ability to rapidly drive sustained security and response capabilities
while managing direct expenses. He/she will be a high energy self-starter
with meaningful ambition to achieve personal growth and to demonstrate
world-class security leadership. The candidate should be currently on a
"growth path" within his or her own organization, and have already
successfully held a senior management position which included specific
accountability for personnel, operational results and manpower. The FSD is the senior security professional accountable for the Federal
security responsibilities of the airport, staff, passengers, and
equipment. At times of crisis, the Director may be required to exercise
the authority of the Secretary of Transportation, and effectively close
and seal the airport, pending resolution of the event or crisis. At times,
this decision may be required of the FSD without the benefit of
consultation with others, requiring the FSD to have clear and decisive
judgment, strength of convictions, and the experience to make
life-impacting decisions. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS The successful candidate will be a strong leader who is a quick study
and understands how to manage a diverse group of field-operating assets
with a responsible eye on efficiency and cost accountability. He/She will
be a bright, creative, mature executive with excellent communication
skills, both oral and written, and will be persuasive and able to
influence with a true sense of urgency. In addition, he/she will be a team
player with strong interpersonal skills and an ability to drive new
concepts and ideas. The candidate must be passionate about and
committed to aviation security. COMPENSATION OTHER REQUIREMENTS
I contend that, while there are some similarities,
the regulatory environment is distinctly different from the statutory in a
number of important ways.
The regulatory rule making process
includes opportunities for industry and members of the public to
comment.
The legislative process sometimes results in statutes
with very little input from stakeholders and is far less inclusive by
comparison.
49 CFR Part 1542 (Airport Security) lays out a
framework on which an airport, in effect, writes their own local security
regulations (subject to CASFO approval) in the form of an Airport Security
Program (ASP) document. Optimally, ASP language should be detailed enough to
provide broad guidance, and 'loose' enough to permit judgment. Each airport's
ASP and its implementation is different.
There is no analogous
process in the statutory environment.
I suggest that people from a
statutory enforcement background, sans aviation experience, will, at least
initially, give very little weight to operational concerns.
On the
plus side, these people are being brought in at the highest level of the Federal
Civil Service. Anyone familiar with Senior Executive Service (SES) members of
the government will know they actually 'run' the bureaucracy. TSA likes to refer
to these FSD's as their 'Field Marshals'. Strong managerial skills and a track
record of making things happen could be a big help. Establishing a personal
rapport with FSD's based on credibility and mutual respect should get us off on
the right foot.
That should get the discussion started. What do
list members think?
Steve
OAK
Have a look at the FSD's job
description.
Federal Security Director
ORGANIZATION
Transportation
Security Administration
LOCATION
One of the Nation's
81 Largest Airports
ANNOUNCEMENT
UPDATE (4/8/02): This announcement will be used to fill executive-level
Federal Security Director (FSD) and, in some cases, Deputy Federal
Security Director, positions at the nation's busiest airports. As of
4/8/02, the airports for which we are recruiting either FSD or Deputy FSD
(or both) positions can be viewed below. Note that a separate announcement
and selection process will be used to fill FSD and Deputy FSD positions at
the non-executive level. That announcement should be posted on www.usajobs.opm.gov shortly.
Reporting to the
Under Secretary of Transportation for Security or his designate, the
Federal Security Director (FSD) will provide day-to-day operational
leadership for the Federal security responsibilities at a large U.S.
airport. The FSD will be the ranking TSA authority responsible for the
leadership and coordination of TSA security activities within the airport.
These responsibilities and accompanying authority include the tactical
planning, execution and operating management for coordinated security
services, and other duties as prescribed by the Under Secretary.
Advanced degree and management training are desirable.
The candidate will have had extensive field and executive
experience in security and crisis prevention positions. Experience in at
least one of the following areas is required for consideration:
Adaptability and the ability to work
effectively with a wide range of people will be critical factors for the
successful candidate. In addition, he/she must demonstrate the ability to
establish and lead a highly motivated team and become immediately
productive and make valuable contributions by bringing the organization's
current plans and assets to immediate parity with potential risks. In a
crisis situation, the FSD must be capable of working without relief
through the crisis period.
Basic salary ranges between $104,800
and $150,000.