Categorization of Employees for Testing

Testing Designated Positions (TDPs).

Safety/Security Critical - These are positions characterized as having critical safety or security responsibilities, related to the mission of the Department. The job functions associated with these positions have a direct and immediate impact on public health and safety, the protection of life and property, law enforcement, or national security. These positions require the highest degree of trust and confidence. Employees whose position require access to Confidential, Secret, Top Secret information are included as TDPs regardless of their organization or occupation.

Drug-only TDPs.

E.O. 12564 requires drug testing of safety- and security-sensitive positions in DOT.rug and alcohol TDPs. The Omnibus Act mandates drug and alcohol testing for FAA employees whose duties include responsibility for safety-sensitive functions and for any other DOT employee whose position requires a CDL. The Omnibus Act does not mandate drug and alcohol testing for other safety-sensitive employees outside FAA, or for any security-sensitive employees within DOT. Since the requirement for a CDL is not specific to a particular occupational series, this appendix does not identify every position in DOT which requires this licensure. The Operating Administrations must maintain the CDL employee listing and coordinate updates with the DDO.

Non-TDPs.

All positions that are not designated as TDPs are designated as non-TDPs

Position Coverage By Occupation.

The categorization of all other DOT positions is accomplished within the context of their Departmental element and their job duties within that organization. To assure overall consistency, category determinations for including or excluding positions as either a TDP or a non-TDP will be made by the Assistant Secretary for Administration in consultation with the Departmental organization. References to a given job, occupational series or family include all supervisors and employees in the occupation regardless of pay plan, unless otherwise noted.

Justification Statements For TDPs.

With the exception of positions requiring a CDL, each determination by the Departmental element to include a particular job occupation as a TDP shall be supported by a justification statement clearly describing why the job is safety/security critical and specifying the adverse consequences that would likely occur if an incumbent in that position were to use illegal drugs, or where appropriate, misuse alcohol. A current justification statement for each job or occupation included as a TDP shall remain on file with the Assistant Secretary for Administration, who reserves the right to review each justification statement to assure overall consistency with the DOT drug program and among varying occupations throughout the Department and make appropriate recommendations.

TPDs by DOT Operating Administration
 

OA- Office of the Secretary (OST)

^a Positions requiring CDL’s are subject to both drug and alcohol testing
 

OA- Office of Inspector General (OIG)

^a Positions requiring CDL’s are subject to both drug and alcohol testing
 

OA- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

^a Positions requiring CDL’s are subject to both drug and alcohol testing
 

OA- Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA)

^a Includes only those GS-2123 and GS-2125 positions with day-to-day responsibilities for field operations of inspection and enforcement.
 

OA-Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

^a Positions requiring CDLs are subject to both drug and alcohol testing.
^b Only those positions in TOW, Technical Operations Service Unit (Aviation systems Standards), assigned to the Aeronautical Center that have certification responsibilities and their first level supervisors, except for those positions associated with the former AOS-200, National Airway Systems Engineering Division.
^c Only those individuals assigned certification responsibilities and their first level supervisors.
^d Except FG/FV-802 employees assigned to Field Maintenance Party staff and Facilities and Equipment staff.
^e Position provide direct support for the NAS and their first level managers.
^f Only FG/FV-1801, FG/FV-1811, FG/FV-1825, FG/FV-861, FG/FV-189 and FG/FV-2152 employees who are required to take periodic physical exams to retain medical clearances.
^g Except Traffic Assistant (Simulation), FG/FV-2154, positions at the Technical Center, Atlantic City, NJ.
^h Except those individuals who are not targeted for safety related positions (will never certify equipment) and/or are assigned to Field Maintenance Party staff positions.
_i Only those Office of Airports employees who are responsible for conducting safety and certification inspections in compliance with safety requirements in 14 CFR Part 139
 

OA-Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

The term “FIELD” is defined as any position with a duty station outside of Washington, DC.

^a Includes only Headquarter RRS positions assigned to work in the discipline specific areas of: Hazardous Materials, Motive Power & Equipment, Operating Practices, Signals & Train Control, Track and Structures. Also includes Positive Train Control (PTC), and Passenger Safety.
 

OA- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  

^a Positions requiring CDL’s are subject to both drug and alcohol testing
 

OA- Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

^a Positions requiring CDL’s are subject to both drug and alcohol testing
 

OA- Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC)

^a Positions requiring CDL’s are subject to both drug and alcohol testing
^b Employees in other series who periodically perform the duties of Vessel Traffic Controllers, Lock and Dam Operators and Heavy Transportation or Marine Equipment Operators are also included as TDPs.
 

OA- Maritime Administration (MARAD)

^a Positions requiring CDL’s are subject to both drug and alcohol testing
 

OA- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

^a Includes only those GS-801, GS-881, and GS-2101 positions with responsibilities for field operations of inspection and enforcement.
 

OA-United States Coast Guard (USCG)

^a Positions requiring CDL’s ar0e subject to both drug and alcohol testing.
^b Coast Guard Training Center, Petaluma, CA
^c Only those individuals located at the Aviation Logistics Center
 

OA-Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

^a Includes Lead and Supervisory Transportation Security Screeners.
^b Includes executive Federal Security Directors and Deputy Federal Security Directors.
^c Includes Supervisory and non-supervisory Civil Aviation Security Specialists, Federal Air Marshals, Transportation Security Specialists, Law Enforcement Officers, and, all employees in this series employed in such positions as Screening Manager, Assistant Federal Security Director for Screening, and Scheduling Operations Officer.
^d Includes Supervisory Criminal Investigator (Assistant Federal Security Director for Law Enforcement)
^e Positions requiring CDL’s are subject to both drug and alcohol testing

Note: All employees in positions requiring a top secret clearance are automatically covered for drug testing. All employees in positions not listed or not included in the foot notes above (a-e) on this page and whose duties include responsibilities for safety-sensitive functions, i.e. functions having a direct and immediate impact on the safety of members of the public or other Federal employees, are covered for drug testing.