NASA looking for 'Planetary Protection Officer' to save Earth from aliens; salary, how to apply - all you need to know

US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is offering an exciting job opportunity that requires a 'Planetary Protection Officer' who can save our planet Earth from aliens. We are calling it an exciting job opportunity as NASA will pay whopping $187,000 (£141,000)) to the selected candidate for this role.

However, the job is not easy and comes with a lot of complications which is why NASA is giving away a hefty salary for the post. 

While the title of the job suggests that the 'Planetary Protection Officer' is supposed to prevent the destruction of the Earth, but the job requires a broader focus. The officer will actually be responsible for helping to prevent NASA from destroying other worlds just as much as they are protecting the Earth.

It is a cause of concern to contaminate other planets with organisms or organic material from Earth. In 1956, the members of the International Astronautical Federation had suggested that we might be unintentionally contaminating the moon or other planets as we explore space. Since then spreading organic matter outside the Earth has been a matter of worry.

During the human exploration of space, the Office of Planetary Protection maintains the guidelines and quarantine procedures. The Planetary Protection Officer will have the task of ensuring that the NASA members are doing everything in their power to follow those rules. 
Also, the Planetary Protection Officer will also need to keep NASA compliant with best practices regarding planetary protection. For this, this person will be the main point of contact for other agencies and organizations from around the world involved in performing similar duties.

The summary on the job listing in usajobs.gov offers fair idea of why this is so important:

“NASA maintains policies for planetary protection applicable to all space flight missions that may intentionally or unintentionally carry Earth organisms and organic constituents to the planets or other solar system bodies, and any mission employing spacecraft, which are intended to return to Earth and its biosphere with samples from extraterrestrial targets of exploration. This policy is based on federal requirements and international treaties and agreements.”

For the Planetary Protection Officer, our Earth will also be a big concern. 

The officer will not man a laser turret to protect Earth from aliens or alien contamination, but will keep a watch over NASA’s exploration missions. This person will also be responsible for ensuring that something much small but potentially just as catastrophic doesn’t slip by undetected.

Here is all you need to know about NASA’s 'Planetary Protection Officer' job:

ALSO READ | NASA's 'Men in black' job offer: Protect Earth from aliens for $187,000; qualification, last date and how to apply

Open & closing dates: 2017-07-13 to 2017-08-14

Salary: $124,406 to $187,000 / per year

Pay scale & grade: SL 00
Series: 1301 General Physical Science

Appointment type: Permanent

Work schedule: Full Time

Job announcement number: HQ17S0010

Control number: 474414000

Locations: NASA - United States Locations, United States

For complete job details click here.