The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced that they are looking for a full-time Planetary Protection Officer to protect the Earth from Alien contamination. This job will offer a salary ranging from $124,406 to $187,000 per year. This job listing will only last until August 14, 2017. Here’s how to qualify and where to apply.

NASA hires for Planetary Protection Officer

space exploration involves everything in space including chemicals, infectious microbes, and all other objects. It may transfer these things from one planet to another.

Hence, there is a risk of contaminating the Earth, other planets, and satellites. With this, NASA is currently hiring for a full-time Planetary Protection Officer, which is a rare job position.

The Planetary Protection Officer (PPO) has the primary aim to take the lead in protecting the Earth from microbial contamination. He/she has to lead in planning and coordination of activities to avoid organic-constituent and biological contamination in various space explorations involving human and robotics. PPO must also make sure that planets, moons, and other objects in space will not be contaminated.

The PPO must implement all the policies to all space flight missions that may bring Earth organisms and organic constituents.

Moreover, the officer must also support the Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) and advise other officials regarding planetary protection.

In an interview with Business Insider, NASA's only PPO since 2014 Catharine Conley revealed that the officer assigned would occasionally travel to space centers around the world and analyze planet-bound robots.

Moreover, the officer may take photographs and ensure that any probe will not accidentally contaminate the world where it is landing on.

How to qualify?

NASA's new job listing will only be available until August 14, 2017. However, only one applicant can fill-in the position. To be eligible for the job, Executive Order 11935 reveals that candidates must be U.S.

citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the state. U.S. citizens who are senior executives are also qualified for the job. In cases when there are no qualified citizens, agencies can hire noncitizens.

PPO applicants must be expert in broad engineering for at least 1 year or have a position that is equivalent to GS-15 level. Hence, they must be a top-level civilian government employee for at least 1 year. They must also have advanced knowledge of Planetary Protection, diplomacy skills, and ability to make sound judgments. Anybody who aspires to be the PPO must also have a degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics.

Where to apply?

NASA will give an initial 3-year appointment to the chosen Planetary Protection Officer.

The agency may also extend his or her tenure for another 2 years. They will grant the PPO a temporary promotion that will eventually be permanent with a yearly salary that ranges from $124,406 to $187,000.

NASA has made this vacancy available through the automated Staffing and Recruiting system NASA STARS. Applicants can send their resume to USAJOBS then a panel will evaluate them in different subject matters.