📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Part-Time Social Media Assistant-Lead
🔹 Company: Penn State University
🔹 Location: Penn State University Park, Pennsylvania
🔹 Job Type: Part-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: July 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing and leading a team of social media assistants
- Overseeing content creation and scheduling for Campus Recreation's social media channels
- Analyzing social media data and providing strategic recommendations
- Ensuring quality control and adherence to University brand guidelines
- Attending events and capturing multimedia content
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, organizational, and analytical skills, as well as a solid understanding of social media trends and best practices.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Team Leadership and Project Management: Oversee the social media team, coordinate with the project coordinator, and collaborate with the Senior Student Manager to ensure projects are completed on time and to a high standard.
✅ Analytics and Strategic Planning: Pull and analyze monthly social media data, create comprehensive analytic plans, and report findings to the Assistant Director to inform strategic decisions.
✅ Content Management and Quality Control: Edit all social media content for quality, consistency, and adherence to University brand guidelines, and schedule content for publication across platforms.
✅ Content Creation and Engagement: Develop engaging content, monitor the social media calendar, and respond to followers to increase audience engagement and interaction.
✅ Social Media Best Practices: Research social media trends, create and maintain a consistent tone and voice for Campus Recreation's social media presence, and provide guidance to team members on best practices.
✅ Event Coverage and Additional Duties: Attend Campus Recreation events and programs to capture video and photographic content, assist in printing and distributing promotional materials, and engage in collaborative efforts to support team development initiatives.
ASSUMPTION: This role may require working flexible hours, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and University breaks, to cover events and ensure timely content publication.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Pursuing or have completed a degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field is preferred.
Experience: A minimum of one semester of experience on the Campus Recreation student creative team is required. Previous experience in social media management, communications, or business operations is strongly preferred.
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership and team management skills
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) and scheduling tools
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Familiarity with University brand guidelines and style guides
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with social media analytics tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social, etc.)
- Graphic design skills and experience with design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, etc.)
- Video and photography skills
- Experience with content management systems (CMS) and/or customer relationship management (CRM) software
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, having a strong understanding of social media trends and best practices, as well as the ability to create engaging content, is essential for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $12 - $15 per hour. This estimate is based on industry standards for part-time social media assistant roles in the Pennsylvania area.
Benefits:
- Flexible work schedule
- Opportunity to gain experience in social media management and team leadership
- Access to University facilities and resources
Working Hours: This role requires a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and University breaks. The expected weekly commitment is 20 hours.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's experience and the University's internal pay scales.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education. Penn State University is a large, public research university with a strong focus on academic excellence and community engagement.
Company Size: Penn State University has a student body of over 100,000 and employs over 25,000 faculty and staff members. This size offers ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
Founded: 1855. Penn State University was founded as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania and has since grown to become one of the largest and most respected universities in the United States.
Company Description:
- Penn State University is a land-grant, state-related research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania.
- The University is committed to providing access to affordable, high-quality education and fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
- Penn State University is known for its strong athletic programs, including its football team, the Nittany Lions.
Company Specialties:
- Research and development in various fields, including engineering, science, and social sciences
- Interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with industry, government, and other academic institutions
- Outreach and engagement with local communities and stakeholders
Company Website: Penn State University
ASSUMPTION: Penn State University's large size and diverse range of programs and initiatives offer numerous opportunities for students and employees to engage in meaningful and impactful work.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry-Level. This role is an excellent opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain experience in social media management and team leadership.
Reporting Structure: The Social Media Assistant-Lead reports directly to the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and oversees a team of social media assistants.
Work Arrangement: This role is part-time and requires a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and University breaks.
Growth Opportunities:
- Gaining experience in social media management and team leadership
- Developing skills in analytics, strategic planning, and content creation
- Building relationships with University stakeholders and industry professionals
- Potential opportunities for full-time employment or advancement within the University
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in social media management and team leadership while working for a prestigious and well-respected university.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: University campus. The primary work location for this role is the Intramural Building at the University Park campus.
Office Location(s): The University Park campus is located in State College, Pennsylvania, and is home to the majority of the University's academic programs and facilities.
Geographic Context:
- The University Park campus is situated in the picturesque valley of the Penns Creek, surrounded by the scenic mountains of central Pennsylvania.
- The campus is approximately 13 miles from the city of State College, which offers a range of amenities and attractions.
- The region is known for its natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and vibrant arts and culture scene.
Work Schedule: This role requires a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and University breaks. The expected weekly commitment is 20 hours.
ASSUMPTION: The University Park campus offers a beautiful and scenic work environment, with easy access to outdoor recreation and cultural attractions.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter through the Penn State University careers portal.
- Candidates may be asked to complete a phone or video screening interview before being invited to an in-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager.
- Finalists may be required to provide references or complete a background check before being offered the position.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Understanding of social media trends and best practices
- Ability to create engaging and high-quality content
- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Familiarity with University brand guidelines and style guides
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Include specific examples of your social media management experience and the results you achieved.
- Demonstrate your understanding of Penn State University's brand guidelines and style guides.
- Showcase your ability to create engaging and high-quality content by including samples of your work in your application materials.
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role.
ATS Keywords: Social Media Management, Content Creation, Team Leadership, Analytics, Strategic Planning, Quality Control, Engagement, Research, Event Coverage, Communication, Problem Solving, Creativity, Organizational Skills, Customer Interaction, Brand Management
ASSUMPTION: Penn State University's application process is competitive, and applicants should tailor their application materials to highlight their relevant experience and skills for this role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)
- Social media scheduling tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer, etc.)
- Analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Sprout Social, etc.)
- Graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, etc.)
- Video and photography equipment
- Content management systems (CMS) and/or customer relationship management (CRM) software
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with the tools and technologies listed above is preferred but not required. The successful candidate will be willing to learn and adapt to new tools and technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Discovery
- Excellence
- Community
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Results-driven and detail-oriented
- Creative and innovative
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Penn State University's core values, including integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community?
- Are you comfortable working in a flexible and adaptable environment, with a varied work schedule that may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and University breaks?
- Do you possess strong leadership and team management skills, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills?
- Are you able to create engaging and high-quality content, and maintain a consistent tone and voice for Campus Recreation's social media presence?
ASSUMPTION: Penn State University values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require working flexible hours, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and University breaks, to cover events and ensure timely content publication.
- The successful candidate may need to manage a team of social media assistants, which can be challenging and time-consuming.
- The role may require working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including University administrators, faculty, staff, and students, which can present unique communication and collaboration challenges.
- The University's large size and decentralized structure may present challenges in terms of navigating internal processes and building relationships with key stakeholders.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to adapt to the unique challenges and demands of working in a large and complex organization, and will possess strong problem-solving and communication skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Social Media Coordinator or Manager position in a marketing or communications department within a university or college setting.
- However, this role is unique in that it requires a minimum of one semester of experience on the Campus Recreation student creative team and offers the opportunity to gain experience in team leadership and management.
- This role may offer more flexibility in work hours and scheduling than a full-time position, but may also require working non-standard hours to cover events and ensure timely content publication.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in social media management and team leadership while working for a prestigious and well-respected university.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a social media campaign to promote an upcoming Campus Recreation event, including creating engaging content, scheduling posts, and analyzing campaign performance
- Managing a team of social media assistants to create and publish content for Campus Recreation's social media channels, ensuring adherence to University brand guidelines and style guides
- Attending a Campus Recreation event or program to capture video and photographic content, and creating a highlight reel or album to showcase the event on social media
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to manage projects, create engaging content, and work collaboratively with a team to achieve desired outcomes.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30-60-90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader organizational structure of Campus Recreation and the University?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to address them?
- How does this role support the University's mission and strategic goals?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the University?
- How does the University support work-life balance for employees in this role?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding the organization's culture and values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Penn State University careers portal at this link.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, including specific examples of your social media management experience and the results you achieved.
- Demonstrate your understanding of Penn State University's brand guidelines and style guides by including samples of your work in your application materials.
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role.
- Prepare for your interview by researching the University's mission, values, and culture, and practicing your responses to common interview questions.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
