Student Outreach & Events Assistant

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 17,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

The KU Natural History Museum is seeking a Student Outreach & Events Assistant to help run hands-on activities, support public programs, and assist with event planning. This student role reports to the Outreach & Engagement Coordinator and supports guests of all ages in a friendly, professional manner.

Ideal candidates are enrolled students with weekday, evening, and weekend availability, possess a valid driver's license, and can lift up to 30 lbs.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to speak with ease in front of groups, as evidenced by application materials.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with people of all ages with enthusiasm and patience, per application materials.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, as evidenced by applications materials.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as evidenced by application materials.
• Ability to work up to 10 hours per week, with flexible availability during normal work hours, some evenings, and some weekends, per application materials.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate outreach programs and events (e.g., scout badge workshops, library visits, Discovery Days).
• Assist in planning and development of outreach programs and events.
• Cultivate relationships with community organizations and other entities.
• Represent the museum in a friendly and professional manner.

Skills

Public speaking

Customer interaction

Communication

Organization

Flexibility

Job description

Position Overview

The KU Natural History Museum seeks a friendly and organized university student to serve as Student Outreach & Events Assistant. This position reports directly to the Outreach & Engagement Coordinator, and indirectly to the Associate Director of Informal Science Education. The Student O&E Assistant helps deliver themed programs to groups (scouts, after-school science nights, etc.) and helps to plan and facilitate museum public events like Discovery Days and Pop Up Science programs.

Role of Student Outreach & Events Assistant

• Helping to facilitate outreach programs and events, such as: scout badge workshops, visits to community groups (e.g., Lawrence Public Library), and museum programs like Discovery Days.


• Assisting in planning and development of outreach programs and events.


• Helping the Outreach & Engagement Coordinator to cultivate relationships with a wide range of individuals, community organizations, and other entities.


• Representing the museum in a friendly and professional manner.


• Being an enthusiastic, flexible, and supportive member of the KU Natural History Museum team, with an ability to work both collaboratively and independently.

Applicants must have some weekday, evening, and weekend availability. This position requires a valid driver's license. This position requires the ability to stand for long periods, lift objects up to 30 lbs., and spend time outdoors during spring, summer, and fall weather, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Job Description

• 50% - Facilitating hands-on activities; managing groups of visitors (children, parents, KU students, etc.); moving and setting up activities, specimens, tables, and chairs; communicating information and answering questions effectively; interacting with the public in a professional manner; ensuring safety of visitors at events and programs.


• 35% - Generating new and creative ideas for programs and events.


• 10% - Clear communications with the Outreach & Engagement Coordinator about programs needs and planning, as well as work schedule availability and changes.


• 5% - Assisting with observation and documentation of event/program participation and feedback.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to speak with ease in front of large or small groups of people, as evidenced by application materials.


• Demonstrated ability to interact with people of all ages – especially children – with enthusiasm and patience, as evidenced by application materials.


• Strong communication and organizational skills, as evidenced by applications materials.


• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, as evidenced by application materials.


• Ability to work up to 10 hours per week, with flexible availability during normal work hours, some evenings, and some weekends, as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in informal science settings, as evidenced by application materials.


• At least two years left at KU.


• Able to travel for events throughout the state of Kansas.

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).

Must have some weekday, evening, and weekend availability.

Must have valid driver's license.

Must be able to stand for long periods, lift objects up to 30 lbs., and spend time outdoors during spring, summer, and fall weather, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Employment Conditions

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


• 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.

Contact Information to Applicants

Eleanor Gardner

[e-mail]

785-864-2380

Advertised Salary Range

$12.00 - $14.00 per hour, depending on experience

Anticipated Start Date

Thursday October 1, 2026