Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.
01
Evaluation factor
Method and rigour
35% weight
Check command of NASA standard bioassay methods: spore swab and wipe sampling, DHMR dry heat cycles, VHP, and bioburden accounting against NPR 8715.24 category limits.
Evidence to listen for
Follows and can justify an established methodology
Understands contamination, bias, and chain of custody as they apply to the field
Knows the limits of their techniques and says so
Documents procedure so results are reproducible and defensible
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Careless method; unaware of contamination, bias, or procedural integrity.
2
Needs Improvement
Knows procedures but applies them inconsistently; gaps in documentation.
3
Satisfactory
Sound standard practice; less certain outside familiar techniques.
4
Very Good
Rigorous and well documented; understands the limits of each method.
5
Excellent
Names specific assay protocols, cites allowable spore counts per square metre, and explains cleanroom sampling statistics without prompting.
02
Evaluation factor
Real casework
25% weight
Probe missions actually supported: which category (I through V), what hardware they certified, launch approval packages filed, and interactions with COSPAR or the Planetary Protection Independent Review Board.
Evidence to listen for
Brings specific cases, sites, or projects rather than general description
States their own role and what they personally handled
Can describe an ambiguous or degraded case and how they proceeded
Knows what happened to the work afterwards
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
No hands-on casework; experience is entirely academic.
2
Needs Improvement
Limited exposure; cannot describe their own contribution clearly.
3
Satisfactory
Real casework with adequate detail; ownership sometimes vague.
4
Very Good
Specific cases with clear personal scope and outcomes.
5
Excellent
Cites named missions and hardware, their assigned categories, and the specific certification or waiver work they personally owned.
03
Evaluation factor
Interpretation and judgement
25% weight
Test judgement on hard calls: probabilistic contamination modelling for special regions, impact and breakup analysis, back-contamination containment for sample return, and organic contamination budgets.
Evidence to listen for
Separates what the evidence shows from what they infer
States confidence levels and what would change their conclusion
Comfortable saying the result is inconclusive
Handles pressure to reach a preferred conclusion without bending
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Overstates findings; no separation of evidence from inference.
2
Needs Improvement
Reaches conclusions the evidence does not support; uneasy with uncertainty.
3
Satisfactory
Reasonable judgement; qualifies findings when prompted.
4
Very Good
Clearly separates evidence from inference and states confidence unprompted.
5
Excellent
Reasons quantitatively about contamination probability, distinguishes forward from backward risk, and states where evidence is thin rather than overclaiming.
04
Evaluation factor
Reporting and testimony
15% weight
Look for written planetary protection plans, pre-launch reports, and defending positions to mission managers, agency leadership, COSPAR panels, and occasionally press or public inquiry.
Evidence to listen for
Writes findings that a non-specialist can act on
Has presented or defended work to an external audience: court, client, review board, publication
Withstands challenge without overclaiming or retreating
Keeps records that hold up to scrutiny
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Cannot communicate findings; records would not withstand review.
2
Needs Improvement
Reporting is unclear or incomplete; avoids external scrutiny.
3
Satisfactory
Adequate reports; limited experience defending work externally.
4
Very Good
Clear reporting and real experience presenting to an external audience.
5
Excellent
Produced formal PP plans that passed review and can explain contamination risk to a project manager pressing on schedule and cost.
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