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.

The compensation team’s contributions are vital to achieving JPL’s vision. As a Compensation Specialist, you will be a key contributor to JPL’s total rewards strategy and mission to create the workforce of the future. This role is an opportunity to contribute to JPL’s evolving strategy and objective to design, develop, and implement an innovative, flexible total rewards program for a dynamic, data-driven, highly intellectual, diverse, and multigenerational workforce. You will consult with internal clients, share insights, help drive new solutions, and influence an evolving culture.

Key Elements of Your Position

Reporting to the Head of Compensation and Benefits, you will be a key member of the Compensation Team and the larger HR organization. As a Compensation Specialist, you will be a critical part of driving strategic and innovative compensation programs that support JPL’s goals and objectives. This role is essential to formulating, executing, and championing compensation strategy and design to enhance JPL’s competitive position and attract, motivate, reward, and retain top talent. You will be a crucial part of the HR center of expertise, ensuring The Lab’s compensation solutions are world-class, competitive, and cost-effective, while also supporting organizational capability and fostering employee engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Provide specific recommendations and plans to enhance JPL’s ability to attract, motivate, and retain talent at all levels, and drive operational goals and objectives.
• Partner closely with the Total Rewards and HR teams to review, design, develop. and deliver policies, programs, processes and tools for compensation and rewards.
• Consult with HR Business Partners to ensure compensation and total rewards solutions align with team, directorate and JPL objectives.
• Participate in market assessments, job evaluations, benchmarking studies and other compensation and rewards related projects.
• Contribute to internal and external compensation and rewards programs and policies audits.
• Recommend changes as needed to salary surveys, such as new survey jobs, different job matches, or other significant changes in survey submissions.
• Develop recommendations for JPL’s market ranges and approach.
• Key contributor to the annual salary review process and is responsible for specific segments of the program.
• Communicate and consult on the total rewards philosophy, and the job classification framework and methodology.
• Serve as the compensation consultant to assigned organizations and advise customers accordingly.
• Serve as a point of contact for the assigned organization in communication and training on compensation applications and tools.
• Review requests and make recommendations for new or revised classifications.
• Stay current on compensation and rewards innovations, practices, and trends to ensure solutions are progressive, cost-effective, and competitive.
• Stay current on existing and emerging regulations and legislation impacting compensation and rewards to ensure compliance.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, including coursework in finance, economics, statistics, mathematics, human resources, and/or accounting.
• At least 6 years of progressive and varied human resources experience including compensation or Master’s degree and 4 years of related experience
• Strong data analysis, financial modeling, and presentation skills  
• Proficiency in Excel
• Excellent communication skills  
• Knowledge of Federal and state employment laws including IRS, FLSA, OFCCP, Wage and Hour, etc.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) preferred
• Familiarity with Workday and CompAnalyst is desirable
• Experience in Benefits is desirable

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.

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.