Student Public Education Assistant

Department

Biodiversity Institute

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

Job Description

40% - Assist with museum education programs, including preparing classroom for programs (e.g., set up and clean-up of materials), greeting groups. This will also include working outdoors for the occasional program

25% - Assist the instructor during programs

20% - Ordering and maintaining supplies

10% - General administrative duties (e.g., deposits, phone calls).

5% - Other duties as assigned, including some lifting and shopping.

Req ID (Ex: 10567BR)

31382BR

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.

Work Schedule

10-20 hours per week

Hours are between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday, with mornings preferred

Some opportunities for additional hours to assist with outreach events and activities are possible. Student employees might need to work during semester breaks and occasional evenings and weekends.

Contact Information to Applicants

Tracey Funk - trfunk@ku.edu

Required Qualifications

• Outgoing, reliable, proactive and able to work independently as expressed and evidenced by application materials, interview, and references.
• Strong communication and organizational skills as evidenced by application materials or coursework.
• Research, reading, and writing skills as evidenced by application materials or coursework.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must be comfortable working occasionally outdoors for outdoor programs (e.g., off trail in prairie, forest, mud, and water with ticks, insects, and other wildlife), as expressed and evidenced by application materials.

Advertised Salary Range

$13-$14/hr

Preferred Qualifications

• Office/administrative experience.
• Background in one or more of the sciences.
• Experience working in an informal science education setting.
• Experience working with children.
• At least 2 years left at KU.

Position Overview

Student assistant for the Public Education department. The individual will prepare and assist in education programs for school groups visiting the museum, support maintenance of the education space (e.g., organizing and cleaning supplies), and provide support for program development. Most programs are in the museum but there are occasional outdoors programs as well as occasional evening and weekend events. The position reports to the Education Coordinator at the Natural History Museum.

Hours are between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday, with mornings preferred

Some opportunities for additional hours to assist with outreach events and activities are possible. Student employees might need to work during semester breaks and occasional evenings and weekends.

Reg/Temp

Temporary

Application Review Begins

29-Sep-2025

Anticipated Start Date

06-Oct-2025

Additional Candidate Instruction

Application materials must include:

• A cover letter addressing your interest in the position and qualifications;
• A resume that includes your class schedule; and
• Contact information for three professional references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

To ensure consideration apply before the application review date 09/29/2025. A review of applications will continue until a qualified candidate is identified. Posting removal is 10/20/2025 or when a candidate is selected.

Position Requirements

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

Employment Conditions

(1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.

(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.