Media Relations Specialist III

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 113,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Wellbeing programs

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning opportunities

Rideshare

Childcare

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, seeks a seasoned communications professional to translate complex planetary science into compelling public storytelling. You will lead media outreach, craft concise narratives, and coordinate with researchers to illuminate NASA missions.

This role requires strong AP style, deadline discipline, and cross‑agency collaboration. Ideal candidates bring 6+ years in science writing, digital storytelling, and strategic media planning, with a track record of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, science writing, or related discipline with a minimum of 6 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.

Responsibilities

• Distill complex planetary science, geology, and engineering into compelling, concise materials easily understood by the public while providing depth for science journalists.
• Cultivate relationships with subject matter experts across the lab to discover projects and angles highlighting JPL’s work for NASA and the nation.
• 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.
• Respond to media inquiries under tight deadlines, pitch media outlets, build relationships, and prepare subject matter experts for interviews.
• Navigate complex review workflows across JPL, NASA Headquarters, and external partners.
• Develop proactive messaging, reactive Q&As, and rapid-response plans for crises and issues.

Skills

Science writing

News writing

Digital storytelling

AP style

Deadline management

Stakeholder relations

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. 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

• 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&As, 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.

Benefits and Perks

• health
• dental
• vision
• wellbeing
• retirement plans
• paid time off
• learning
• rideshare
• childcare
• flexible schedule
• parental leave
• many more.

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 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.

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.

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world-leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance.

Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.