Program Development Officer
Position Overview
The Program Development Officer is a full-time benefits eligible unclassified exempt professional staff position that reports to the Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives, and works closely with Senior Associate Director, Public Education Director, in concert with Director to lead development of K-12 student curriculum, identify appropriate partnerships to cultivate audience and leverage Dole Institute of Politics and Dole Archives programming and content, and related fundraising.
Educating new generations, including K-12 programming, is one of three areas of strategic development at the Dole Institute. This position is of critical strategic importance at this stage of DIOP institutional planning. Initially it will be responsible for the transformation of – and oversight for – institutionalization of curriculum development, audience development, and funding development first for K-12, with potential for growth into other program areas with demonstrated successes.
A successful candidate will demonstrate thorough knowledge of the Dole Institute’s many initiatives and be adept at creating, managing, and executing multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment while paying attention to detail and maintaining a high-level of interpersonal and communications skills to internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be a people-oriented strategic thinker with leadership experience in civics-oriented educator communities, experience developing audiences and partnerships to expand program reach, developing curriculum materials to complement state and federal standards, using historical documents, and teaching in formal and informal settings. The candidate will excel at internal and external communications and work well in a team setting.
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 an experienced Program Development Officer.
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.
In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 8 hours of sick leave earned every month, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities. KU is a great place to work!
Educating new generations, including K-12 programming, is one of three areas of strategic development at the Dole Institute. This position is of critical strategic importance at this stage of DIOP institutional planning. Initially it will be responsible for the transformation of – and oversight for – institutionalization of curriculum development, audience development, and funding development first for K-12, with potential for growth into other program areas with demonstrated successes.
A successful candidate will demonstrate thorough knowledge of the Dole Institute’s many initiatives and be adept at creating, managing, and executing multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment while paying attention to detail and maintaining a high-level of interpersonal and communications skills to internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be a people-oriented strategic thinker with leadership experience in civics-oriented educator communities, experience developing audiences and partnerships to expand program reach, developing curriculum materials to complement state and federal standards, using historical documents, and teaching in formal and informal settings. The candidate will excel at internal and external communications and work well in a team setting.
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 an experienced Program Development Officer.
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.
In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 8 hours of sick leave earned every month, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities. KU is a great place to work!
Job Description
40% Curriculum & Program Development
- Evaluate conceptual/pedagogical framework of existing K-12 programming
- Develop discrete and measurable goals, and evaluation/impact assessment for existing K-12 programming
- Develop a three-year strategic plan for K-12 growth and content development and oversee implementation.
- Cultivate relationships with organizations and individuals for partnerships that build audiences for K-12 programming, new generations programming, and DIOP programming in general.
- At request of Director, represent Dole Institute at programs and events at the Institute and beyond.
- Support instruction for K-12 and family audiences, leading classes, tours, and site visits as needed.
- In conjunction with Dole Institute Director and Director for Operations and Strategic Initiatives/direct supervisor, establish annual fundraising goals and strategy.
- Communicate Dole Institute mission, vision, legacy, and programming to inspire external investment in the Dole Institute, in coordination with Strategic Communications Director.
- Cultivate and steward relationships that will yield financial support for K-12 programming, undergraduate programming, and DIOP programming in general.
- Prepare related communications, including proposals and status reports.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree and 5 years related experience.
- Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative educational programs and projects.
- Strong research skills as evidenced by education and/or experience.
- Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
- Previous experience which required the skill to prioritize and organize duties in an efficient manner as demonstrated by application materials.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of Senator Bob Dole and/or the Dole Institute as demonstrated in application materials and interview.
- Knowledge of national and state educational standards, as well as current educational theories and strategies as evidenced by education and/or experience.
- Experience and familiarity with local community organizations, university, and/or regional education organizations.
- Classroom management and/or group logistics experience.
- Ability to work independently and on a team as evidenced by application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions
Only complete online applications will be accepted. An application packet will include the following items:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications;
- A complete resume/CV
- A list of 3 professional references with contact information.
Contact Information to Applicants
Beth Visocsky
bethv@ku.edu
bethv@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
$62,000.00
Work Schedule
Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Application Review Begins
Friday January 3, 2025
Anticipated Start Date
Monday January 13, 2025