Some jobs just don't show up in the "Help wanted" ads: Starting quarterback, New England Patriots. Conductor, Cleveland Orchestra. Justice, U.S. Supreme Court.

So it might come as a surprise to scan usajobs.gov, the federal government's employment site, and find the posting for astronaut -- a full-time job "open to all qualified U.S. citizens."

Yes, NASA is hiring.

The pay starts at $59,493 a year and goes up to $130,257. "Frequent travel may be required," the posting states -- no kidding -- and candidates must pass a medical exam and background check.

One giant leap for mankind. One big jump for a job-seeker.

It's a long way from the days of the original "Mercury Seven" astronauts, all pilots who came out of the military.

NASA now draws from a pool of 106 astronauts -- 91 Americans and 15 from foreign space agencies -- to fly shuttle missions and staff the International Space Station. At least six retire or leave the program every year. The ranks must be replenished regularly.

Because the selection process takes so much time, the window for candidates opens only every five years, said Teresa Gomez, who collects applications as assistant manager of NASA's astronaut selection office in Houston. The current one opened in September and will close in July.

So far, Gomez has about 1,200 applications, none of which will be looked at until July. "In the past," she said, "we've averaged about 3,000 applications, from every age and background, civilian and military."

The requirements, Gomez said, are a bit tighter than the basic job posting indicates. Applicants must be 62 to 75 inches tall, for starters, and have a degree in engineering, science or math. A bachelor's degree might work, but a master's is better. So are "unique experiences" in a candidate's background. Plus "creativity, ambition, teamwork, a sense of daring and a probing mind."

About 100 applicants will be picked for a week of interviews and screening in Houston to produce a new "class" of 10 to 15 astronauts.

"This class will probably not fly on the shuttle," Gomez said. "This class will not even report until 2009" and won't complete its training until 2011. NASA plans to retire the shuttle in 2010.

At least a few of the space cadets will get to the International Space Station. Some could, conceivably, make it to the moon, but there are no guarantees the group will make it to space at all.

The "frequent travel" required by the job involves relocating to Houston and then spending time at various NASA facilities -- "a lot of time away from home," Gomez said.