Visitor Services Assistant (Student Position) at InsideHigherEd

Position OverviewThe Visitor Services Assistant (VSA) reporting to the Office Manager, engages the public to provide an educational and memorable experience at the Dole Institute of Politics, on weekends and select weekday hours.

The VSA manages the front desk, stewards visitors to the museum, and is responsible for the building during weekend shifts. The Visitor Services Assistant should be reliable, accountable, demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, and a self-starter who is curious about history and politics with a willingness to learn. Other skills required for the position include strong written and oral communication, organization, and problem-solving.



The Dole Institute of Politics (DIOP) celebrated the 20th anniversary of its founding as an institute dedicated to the promotion of political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bi-partisan, balanced manner in 2023. As we begin our next 20 years, we are looking for Visitor Services Assistants to engage the public to provide an educational and memorable experience at the Dole Institute of Politics.

By providing a forum for discussion of political and economic issues, fostering public service leadership, and encouraging participation in the political process, the Institute emphasizes that politics is an honorable profession and provide opportunities for all to interact with political leaders, practitioners and authors. The Dole Institute also emphasizes that only through political and civic participation can citizens redirect the course of our nation.

Senator Bob Dole’s legacy at the University of Kansas was established in 1997 upon the gift of his papers to KU. The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics was dedicated in 2003 in KU’s West District and became home to the Senator Elizabeth Dole legacy upon the gift of her papers in 2017.

The Dole Institute is home to a museum dedicated to the legacies of Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole, featuring the largest stained-glass American flag in the world, a memory wall dedicated to Kansas veterans of WWII, and the recently renovated Elizabeth Dole Gallery and Reading Room.

The Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections department is responsible for collections, research, and exhibits at the Dole Institute. Both Senators’ personal papers and congressional materials are publicly available for research, attracting scholars from all over the world.Job DescriptionThe Visitor Services Assistant has many interactions with the public, so excellent customer service and people skills are necessary.

90% - Front Desk and Building Management

• Staff the front desk and conduct regular walk-throughs of galleries.
• On-site building manager during weekend shifts, which includes opening and closing the building, answering phone, etc.
• Guide tour groups and encourage self-guided group visits.
• Ensure quality visitor experience by interacting with guests.
• Demonstrate wide range of knowledge about museum, Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole, and general history.
• Maintain a well-informed, working knowledge of the exhibits and services available and communicate that information in a style consistent with the mission of the Dole Institute of Politics.
• Assist with outreach efforts for the Kansas Veteran’s Virtual Memory Wall.

10% - Other Duties as Assigned

• Admin, education, or outreach projects will be assigned during the times at the front desk

Required Qualifications

1. Thorough knowledge of the KU campus community, including student groups and academic units, as evidenced by application materials
2. Excellent written and oral communication skills, as evidenced by application materials
3. Work experience that required creativity, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and self-motivation

Preferred Qualifications

1. Knowledge of and past participation in the Dole Institute’s Student Advisory Board, as evidenced by application materials
2. Eligible for Federal Work Study

Position RequirementsDuring 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.Additional Candidate InstructionsIn addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

1. A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
2. Resume.
3. Contact information for three professional references.

To ensure consideration apply before the application review date 11/16/2025. A review of applications will continue until qualified candidates are identified.Contact Information to ApplicantsSam Mee
[email protected]
785-864-4900Advertised Salary Range$11.50/hrAnticipated Start DateMonday December 1, 2025Apply to Job