By Debbie Gregory.
No, this is not a headline ripped from the tabloids…
NASA has a job opening for “planetary protection officer.” But if you want the job, you’d better hurry-applications are only being accepted through August 14th.
Your job duties will include defending Earth from alien contamination and helping Earth avoid contaminating the alien worlds we’re trying to explore. That’s a simplified way of saying you would be promoting the responsible exploration of the solar system by implementing and developing efforts that protect the science, explored environments, and Earth.
As the planetary protection officer, you can expect a compensation packet from $124,406 to $187,000 a year, plus benefits.
The position was created after the U.S. ratified the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
Oh, and as NASA’s planetary protection officer, you will have the opportunity to travel to space centers around the world and analyze planet-bound robots. You will also help establish the equipment, protocols, and procedures to reduce contamination risks.
So, at this point you may be wondering what qualifications a successful candidate would need to possess to get the gig.
The candidate must have at least one year of experience as a top-level civilian government employee, plus have “advanced knowledge” of planetary protection and all it entails.
You would also need to have “demonstrated experience planning, executing, or overseeing elements of space programs of national significance.”
You would also need to have “demonstrated skills in diplomacy that resulted in win-win solutions during extremely difficult and complex multilateral discussions.”
And last, but not least, you should have an advanced degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics.
The job comes with a “secret” security clearance, so noncitizens aren’t technically eligible. But they probably aren’t the only ones who don’t qualify!
To apply to the NASA Planetary Protection Position go to USAJOBS.gov.
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