Communications Specialist III

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental plan

Vision plan

Wellbeing programs

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning opportunities

Rideshare

Childcare support

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks a Communications Specialist III to lead multi-mission public communications. You will craft engaging narratives, manage content across websites and social channels, and coordinate with NASA, JPL, and external partners to maximize impact.

You will oversee the production of video, graphics, and articles, guide a creative team, and ensure technical accuracy while delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Fine Arts, Science, or related field with a minimum of 6 years of related work experience; Master's in a related job discipline with a minimum of 4 years; PhD in a related job discipline with a minimum of 2 years.
• Fast-paced environment; deliver concepts from inception to delivery.
• Experience overseeing production of video, graphics, articles, experiential content, and others.
• Relentless attention to detail and strong design/storytelling instincts.
• Ability to guide a creative team to exceptional products.
• Genuine interest in NASA's mission to explore space and inspire humanity.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; team-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Own communications activities, deliverables, and results for multiple NASA missions.
• Coordinate with NASA, JPL, and external organizations for alignment.
• Collaborate with Mission Communications Manager and team on content ideas and campaigns.
• Drive concepts to completion, filling gaps and making tactical decisions.
• Act as the creative conduit between technical leads and production teams.
• Field requests from managers and project offices; ask key questions.
• Facilitate feedback between creators and scientists; balance accuracy with creativity.
• Develop website and social content, outreach events, and other communications products.
• Translate complex milestones into engaging narratives for varied audiences.
• Define KPIs and create reports showing the value of communications efforts.
• Research best practices and propose program improvements.

Skills

Project management

Content creation

Video production

Graphic design

Storytelling

Communication skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Brand management

NASA/JPL familiarity

Social media management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Airtable

Social media platforms

Job description

Communications Specialist III page is loaded## Communications Specialist IIIlocations: JPL Campustime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: R6233# **Job Details**New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That's our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers - literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission - your opportunity - is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you're driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you're ready for JPL.Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.**Responsibilities:**As part of the **Media & Strategic Communications section**, work with the Mission Communications and Media teams to deliver value to stakeholders across NASA's Science Mission Directorate and JPL's Flight Projects and Strategy & Formulation Directorates.The **Communications Specialist III position** requires exceptional organizational skills, a proactive approach to project tracking, and the ability to maintain momentum across multiple concurrent tasks. Must be nimble, highly curious about NASA/JPL science and engineering, and relentlessly focused on delivering the highest quality products quickly and efficiently. Must be adept at working with a diverse group of constituents including the science community, distribution outlets, NASA personnel, and civil, commercial, and non-profit partners to ensure the success of high-impact, leveraged initiatives that deliver value on the public's investment in NASA and JPL.**Tasks include but are not limited to:*** Own communications activities, deliverables, and results for multiple JPL-managed NASA missions in the planetary portfolio.* Liaise with stakeholders across NASA, JPL, and outside organizations to ensure alignment and communications success.* Work with the Mission Communications Manager, Planetary Communications Lead, and the broader communications team to brainstorm new content, product ideas, and messaging campaigns.* Take ownership of project concepts and drive them to completion, filling in creative gaps and making tactical decisions to keep the project moving without sacrificing product impact or scientific integrity.* Act as the \"creative glue\" between technical leads and production teams (graphics, video, web), providing clear, inspired direction to ensure the vision is realized.* Field requests from managers, mission leads, projects, and program offices, then ask the right questions to navigate stakeholder goals with limited guidance.* Facilitate the feedback loop between creators and scientists, ensuring that technical accuracy and creative flair are perfectly balanced.* Identify and clear creative or technical roadblocks independently, finding efficient paths to delivery in a fast-paced environment.* Contribute to the creation of website and social content (writing, editing, producing), outreach events, and other communications products, as needed* Translate complex technical milestones into compelling, creative narratives that resonate with audiences.* Define, develop, and aggregate KPIs, and develop reports to communicate the value of our strategic communications efforts across the portfolio.* Research industry best practices and provide ongoing improvements to communications programs and products.**Qualifications:*** Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Fine Arts, Science, or a related field with a minimum of 6 years of related work experience; Masters in a related job discipline with a minimum of 4 years of related work experience; PhD in a related job discipline with a minimum of 2 years of related work experience.* Be able to work in a fast-paced environment with responsibility for delivering concepts from inception through delivery.* Proven ability to field undefined requests and action them in smaller tasks, and a track record of delivering impactful products on tight deadlines.* Experience overseeing the production of varied assets including video, graphics, articles, experiential content, and others.* Relentless focus on detail and strong design and storytelling instincts. Must be able to distinguish between \"good\" and \"exceptional\" products and know how to guide a creative team to get there.* Genuine interest in and alignment with NASA's mission to explore the unknown in air and space, innovate for the benefit of humanity, and inspire the world through discovery.* Punctual, detail oriented, resourceful and a self-motivated individual.* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and ability to work in a team environment.**Preferred Skills:*** Experience working at NASA or a similar agency, and/or in planetary science.* Experience working within a scientific, technical, or aerospace environment.* A portfolio of work that demonstrates your ability to take a complex topic and make it visually and narratively compelling.* Ability to write messaging copy, long-form science articles, and other content at a professional level.* Ability to think like a brand manager, concepting and driving impactful campaigns to elevate NASA and JPL projects and programs in the information environment.* Familiarity with common creative and project management tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere Pro), Airtable, and social media platforms.JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee's start date.For further benefits information clickThe hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.$108,888 - $133,016JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available.