Group Staff Assistant II - Ground Software & Systems Engineering

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plan

Vision plan

Wellbeing programs

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning & development

Rideshare

Childcare

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks a highly organized Group Staff Assistant II to support the Ground Software & Systems Engineering section. You will manage travel, badge requests, procurement, scheduling, and documentation, ensuring smooth operations for a high-volume environment.

You will collaborate with the Business Administration Team, assist with recruiting, onboarding, and events, and maintain SharePoint resources while upholding policy and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a High School diploma with related experience
• Administrative experience with strong organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure on multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Strong planning, scheduling, and coordination skills
• Proactive self-starter with initiative to streamline workflows
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good judgment when handling sensitive information
• Professional interaction with all levels of personnel and customer service mindset
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Outlook)
• Teamwork and collaboration skills

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process travel arrangements and reports
• Process badge requests for guests and escort visitors
• Handle procurement activities including Pcard and iProcurement
• Schedule meetings in Outlook and manage conference room calendars
• Prepare and edit presentations, graphics, documentation, and website inputs
• Coordinate office moves and onboarding/offboarding for employees and affiliates
• Assist with recruiting for early career, experienced, and contractor hires
• Support ergonomic evaluations, Work Authorization updates, and cost transfers
• Maintain Section resources, Wiki pages, SharePoint, and Alfresco
• Assist in planning Section seminars, workshops, and events
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and safety requirements

Skills

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Teams

SharePoint

Outlook

Communication

Customer service

Education

High School diploma

Associate degree

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

SharePoint

Outlook

Job description

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.

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.

Group Staff Assistant II

The Ground Software & System Engineering Section (343) seeks a Group Staff Assistant to support the administrative duties of an organization that provides end to end expertise in the architecture, design, implementation, and operation of Ground Data Systems (GDS) and Deep Space Network (DSN) Data Services. The section delivers the critical software and computer engineering capabilities that enable spacecraft commanding, telemetry processing, and the reliability of the communication links connecting Earth to assets in Deep and Near Space.

We are seeking a highly professional, self-motivated individual to serve as a Group Staff Assistant II. This role requires a strong commitment to service excellence, organizational precision, and operational flexibility within a fast-paced, high-volume, and dynamic organization.

As a member of 7343 Ground Software & Systems Engineering Business Administration Team, you will report to the Section Business Manager.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Preparing and processing complex foreign and domestic travel, including generating travel reports and assisting with compliance requirements
• Processing affiliate and visitor badge requests for domestic and foreign guests, and escorting visitors as needed
• Handling procurement activities including Pcard purchasing and iProcurement orders
• Scheduling and coordinating meetings in Outlook, managing conference room calendars, and arranging Microsoft Teams meetings
• Preparing and editing presentations, graphics, documentation, and website inputs
• Coordinating office moves, new hire preparations, and onboarding/ offboarding support for employees, affiliates, and foreign nationals
• Assisting with recruiting efforts for Early Career, Experienced, and Contractor hires, including interview scheduling and escorting
• Supporting ergonomic evaluations, Work Authorization (WAM) updates, labor and nonlabor cost transfer processing, and other ad hoc assignments
• Maintaining and updating Section resources, including Wiki pages, SharePoint, and Alfresco
• Assisting in the planning and coordination of Section seminars, workshops, and events
• Helping ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a High School diploma with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; Associate degree with a minimum of 1 year of related experience; related required training
• Experience in the secretarial/administrative profession with strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure on multiple complex tasks and meet deadlines with high-quality results
• Strong planning, scheduling, and coordination skills
• Proactive self-starter with initiative to streamline processes and improve workflows
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good judgment in evaluating situations and determining appropriate resolutions
• Ability to interact professionally with all levels of personnel and provide outstanding customer service
• High level of discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills

Preferred Skills

• Experience supporting technical groups or section office environments
• Experience with procurement tools such as Purchase Requisition, PCard, and iProcurement
• Familiarity with JPL systems including Alfresco, JPLID, UCS, Travel, UFO, and Timekeeping
• Knowledge of JPL travel policies and experience with Concur or other travel tools
• Understanding of JPL’s Engineering & Science Directorate policies, procedures, and practices
• Experience onboarding volunteers, affiliates, and foreign nationals
• Interest in learning and applying new IT tools to improve office processes

Benefits and Perks

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 click Benefits and Perks.

Hiring Range

The 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.

$64,376 - $81,640

Equal Opportunity

JPL 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.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

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 here.