NASA is hiring a new 'planetary protection officer' to defend Earth from alien matter, and the pay is a six-figure salary: as much as $187,000 a year.
When we are not sure whether aliens exist, why are we still hiring staff for protecting Earth? I do understand we have to take precautions. But when we don't have any proof why spend $187,000 a year?
Source: Nasa [sic] hiring new 'planetary protection officer' to defend Earth from alien matter - Times of India, Aug 3, 2017
Last seen on: Aug 3, 2017
I know it's a legit news item. I've just shared my curiosity regarding the huge salary. And if I'm not wrong, there's nothing in the news item explaining the reason behind the six-figure pay. I'd like to know why someone would be paid that much when we don't know the definite existence of aliens.

That being said, in the absence of
Planetary protection officer: NASA is hiring for the job, which comes with a six-figure salary

Planetary protection is a set of protocols adopted by NASA to avoid biological contamination of other places in the universe with earthly microbes, or vice versa, while also allowing for the potential return of samples or life to Earth.

If you have a deep and abiding interest in protecting Earth from microbes that may be floating around out there in space, then NASA