Media Relations Specialist III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena seeks a Media Relations Specialist III to distill planetary science into clear, engaging materials and manage media inquiries. You will work with leading scientists and engineers to craft releases, features, blogs, and video scripts that inform and inspire globally.

Responsibilities include proactive storytelling, campaign development, and crisis messaging, collaborating across JPL, NASA HQ, and external partners to highlight mission milestones and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in communications, journalism, science writing, or related field with professional experience.
• Advanced expertise in science and technical writing and in producing diverse digital stories.
• Strong ability to adhere to AP Style, meet deadlines, and maintain concise word counts.

Responsibilities

• Translate complex planetary science, geology, and engineering into clear, engaging materials for public audiences.
• Cultivate relationships with subject matter experts to find compelling story angles and milestones.
• Plan and execute end‑to‑end communication campaigns, press kits, and news conferences (virtual and in‑person).
• Respond to media inquiries under tight deadlines and prepare experts for interviews.
• Navigate multi‑agency review workflows across JPL, NASA HQ, and partners.
• Develop proactive messaging and rapid‑response plans for crises and issues.

Skills

Science writing

News writing

AP Style

Storytelling

Deadline management

Diplomacy

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, science writing, or related discipline

Master’s degree in a similar discipline

Ph.D. in a similar discipline

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.

Responsibiliites

JPL’s Media and Mission Communications Group, within the Communication, Legislative Affairs, and Academic Engagement Division, functions as a fast‑paced digital newsroom while actively engaging with global news media and digital platforms.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Media Relations Specialist III to join our team and help respond to the growing demand to learn about JPL’s missions, projects, and discoveries. Concentrating primarily on planetary sciences, you will work closely with world‑class scientists and engineers to transform complex material into clear, compelling news releases, features, blog posts, press kits, and, potentially, video scripts that inspire audiences around the world.

Tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Science Translation and Storytelling: Distill complex planetary science, geology, and engineering into compelling, concise materials that are easily understood by the public while providing sufficient depth for science journalists.
• Proactive Story Mining: Cultivate relationships with subject matter experts across the lab to discover projects in development, scientific milestones, and angles that highlight the work JPL is performing on behalf of NASA and the nation.
• Campaign and Event Planning: Working closely with NASA and JPL colleagues, help build and execute end‑to‑end communication plans, messaging frameworks, press kits, and both virtual and in‑person news conferences for major mission announcements.
• Media Relations and Inquiry Management: Respond to media inquiries under tight deadlines, pitch media outlets, build relationships, and prepare subject matter experts for broadcast and print interviews.
• Stakeholder and Multi‑Agency Navigation: Thrive within complex review and approval workflows across JPL, NASA Headquarters, and external partners.
• Crisis and Issues Management: Develop proactive messaging, reactive Q&A, and rapid‑response communication plans as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, science writing, or a related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of related work experience; master’s in a similar discipline with a minimum of 4 years of related work experience; Ph.d. in a similar discipline with a minimum of 2 years of related work experience.
• Advanced expertise in science and technical writing, short- and long-form news writing, and/or digital storytelling across varied media platforms.
• A combination of excellent creative storytelling skills and strong organizational capabilities.
• Proven ability to adhere to AP Style, hit deadlines, and stay within word counts.
• Proven ability to meet tight deadlines, stay ahead of the news cycle, and manage breaking news while balancing input from numerous stakeholders.
• Strong news judgment and diplomatic skills, with a track record of building trust with scientists, engineers, and external journalists alike.
• Intellectual agility to shift areas of focus and rapidly build domain expertise as mission portfolios evolve.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of or passionate interest in science and/or technology.
• Established relationships with national and international science, technology, and mainstream journalists.
• Hands‑on experience developing video storyboards or scripting short‑form digital visual media.
• Experience working in a matrixed environment.

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

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.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$112,528 - $136,760

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.