Nasa Is Hiring a Planetary Protection Officer

[Palinurus]

Source: http://www.newsweek.com/nasa-hiring-planetary-protection-officer-save-earth-aliens-645254

Nasa Is Hiring a Planetary Protection Officer to Save Earth from Aliens

By Hannah Osborne On 8/2/17 at 5:22 AM

NASA is looking for a Planetary Protection Officer to protect the planet from potential alien contamination. The U.S. government’s official employment site posted the job advert, open to U.S. citizens and nationals for applications until August 14.

The job comes with a six figure salary —$124,406 to $187,000 per year— and security clearance is listed as "secret." The role involves stopping astronauts and robots from getting contaminated with any organic and biological material during space travel.

“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” the job advert reads. “This policy is based on federal requirements and international treaties and agreements.”

The job, initially, is a three-year contract that may be extended for a further two years. During this time, NASA will be planning several missions, including one to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, where it will search for signs of alien life.

continued...

 

[Palinurus]

This story is now on SOTT in the Don't Panic! Lighten Up! section (source: The Independent, Rachael Revesz):

https://www.sott.net/article/358181-Save-the-universe-from-alien-infection-NASA-seeks-Planetary-Protection-Officer

 

[Palinurus]

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/05/us/nasa-job-opening-boy-letter-trnd/index.html

A 9-year-old 'Guardian of the Galaxy' applies for NASA job

By Nicole Chavez, CNN
Updated 0938 GMT (1738 HKT) August 5, 2017

CNN A fourth-grader's cover letter grabbed NASA's attention in the search for the next real-life guardian of the planet.

This week, the space agency began looking for its new planetary protection officer, someone capable of guarding the planet from "microbial contamination from other planets."

Jack Davis, a self-proclaimed "Guardian of the Galaxy" from New Jersey, piqued NASA's interest.

"I may be nine but I think I would be a fit for the job," Jack said in the handwritten letter.

He went on to list his interstellar work experience.

"I have seen almost all the space and alien movies I can see," the 9-year-old explained.

He also showed he's on the case when it comes to career development.

"I have also seen the show Marvel Agents of Shield and hope to see the movie Men in Black."

Jack also described his fine motor skills and the ability to quickly learn and apply new concepts. "I'm great at video games," he said. "I am young, so I can learn to think like an Alien."

NASA replied to the letter and Jack even got a phone call from Planetary Research Director Jonathan Rall.

When 4th grader and self-proclaimed "Guardian of the Galaxy", Jack, wrote to us about applying for a job, we replied https://t.co/932pj3Q50B pic.twitter.com/RhcGdnzGAw
— NASA (@NASA) August 4, 2017

In the letter, they congratulated Jack on his interest and offered some extra insights about the job.

"It's about protecting Earth from tiny microbes when we bring back samples from the Moon, asteroids and Mars. It's also about protecting other planets and moons from our germs as we responsibly explore the Solar System," wrote James L. Green, director of NASA's planetary science division.

While NASA ended up not offering him the job, it wasn't an outright rejection.

"We are always looking for bright future scientists and engineers to help us, so I hope you will study hard and do well in school," Green said.

Seems like Jack won't be replacing Catharine Conley, who's listed as NASA's current planetary protection officer, or getting the $127,000 a year salary now but maybe in the future.

"We hope to see you here at NASA one of these days," Green added.

 

[monotonic]

Fox guarding the hen house...

 

[Niall]

NASA's behind the curve; that job's already been filled...