Housing & Residence Life Social Media Assistant (Student)

American University; United States; On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

American University in Washington, DC, is seeking a Housing & Residence Life Marketing & Communications Assistant who will support social media and content initiatives for the department. You will gain hands-on experience in content creation, campaign development, and digital engagement strategies while contributing to the student residential experience.

The role emphasizes on-site work during typical business hours, with opportunities to develop skills in storytelling, analytics, and event

Qualifications

• Full‑time enrollment as an undergraduate student (minimum 12 credits, max 17 per semester) and minimum GPA requirements.
• Prior social media management experience or relevant coursework is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing Housing and Residence Life’s social media accounts (Instagram), including content creation and scheduling posts.
• Draft and schedule weekly posts highlighting housing deadlines and engagement opportunities; monitor comments and mentions.
• Collaborate on campaigns promoting processes like Returning Student Room Selection; design digital materials using Canva.
• Track engagement metrics and help prepare monthly performance summaries; provide recommendations based on data insights.

Skills

Social media management

Content creation

Campaign development

Analytics

Education

Undergraduate student enrollment

Tools

Canva

iMovie

CapCut

Job description

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.

This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University's Office of Financial Aid.

Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into your employee Workday account and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.

Department

HRL Communications

Time Type

Part time

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Job Description

Summary

The Housing & Residence Life Marketing & Communications Assistant will support communications efforts with a focus on social media, storytelling, and event promotion. Under the supervision of the Marketing & Communications Coordinator, the assistant will gain hands‑on experience in content creation, campaign management, and digital engagement strategies while contributing to initiatives that directly impact the student residential experience.

Essential Functions

1. Social Media Management Assist in managing Housing and Residence Life’s official social media accounts (primarily Instagram), including content creation, caption writing, and scheduling posts. Capture and curate high‑quality photos and videos at department events (e.g., Signature Programs, community events, and tabling). Draft and schedule weekly posts highlighting upcoming housing deadlines, student engagement opportunities, and residential life updates. Engage with followers by monitoring comments, mentions, and tags to maintain an approachable and informative online presence.
2. Content Creation & Campaign Development Collaborate on creative campaigns promoting Housing processes such as Returning Student Room Selection and community engagement initiatives. Brainstorm and develop new content ideas that align with departmental goals and seasonal themes (e.g., room selection tips, student spotlights, or program recaps). Design digital materials such as social media graphics, story templates, and short‑form videos using Canva or similar tools.
3. Analytics & Reporting Track social media engagement metrics (views, likes, saves, followers, etc.) to evaluate performance and identify trends. Assist in preparing monthly social media performance summaries for internal review. Provide recommendations for improving engagement and reach based on data insights.
4. Departmental Engagement Support on‑site coverage of Signature Programs and major departmental events. Ensure content accurately reflects the department’s mission, values, and inclusive approach to community building. Participate in brainstorming sessions with the Marketing & Communications Coordinator to align messaging with department priorities.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

Part‑time. 7 - 10 hours per week.

Salary Range

$18.40 per hour.

Required Education and Experience

Full‑time enrollment as an undergraduate student at American University (minimum 12 credits and a maximum of 17 per semester). Cumulative GPA at, or above, 2.50 and term GPA at, or above, 2.50 (GPAs must be maintained from the date of application until the date of separation). Must be in good conduct standing with the university. Prior social media management experience or equivalent coursework education is required.

Preferred Education and Experience

Familiarity with American University’s residential communities. Knowledge of Canva. Knowledge of video editing software i.e. iMovie, CapCut, etc.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Shifts are scheduled during office hours: 9AM - 5PM, Monday - Friday with some non‑traditional hours for after‑hour events.

Other Details

This position is available only to enrolled American University students. Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

American University is an E-Verify employer.

Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Statement

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

American University is a student centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly‑ranked schools and colleges, internationally‑renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.